Review by Booklist Review
This collection of nonfiction poems addresses the dangers of plastic pollution. Each entry identifies a cause, consequence, or solution, and offers a couplet, limerick, or other bit of poetry along with a brief factual paragraph and quote. Many poems highlight kids who have spearheaded initiatives, such as one girl who collected bottle caps to create a buddy bench for her school, students in Guatemala who turn discarded plastic bottles into construction ecoblocks, or a boy who launched a "Save the Frogs!" campaign. The poems flow effortlessly and effectively convey their important messages. The pages are filled with bright illustrations and eye-catching, engaging layouts. In addition to an author's note, time line, charts of top polluters, and alternatives to plastic products, the back matter includes resources for the subject of each poem, definitions of poetry formats, further reading recommendations, and research resources. Whether an ode to jellyfish or a collective poem about the fork that Jack threw away, this is a breezy way of introducing ecology concepts and starting important conversations.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this factually augmented poetry collection, Hood illuminates the reasons, repercussions, and remedies for humans' considerable use of plastic. She begins with "Fantastic Plastic," which presents a rhetorical question: "Where would the world be without ?" But subsequent poems, such as "Plastic for Dinner?" highlight the consequences of its use. Solutions are offered in the forms of couplet-based "Ban the Bag" ("Cloth and canvas can't be beat!") and "Ode to Jellyfish" (their mucus "may be the solution to plastic pollution!"), among others. Prose paragraphs supplement with additional information, including real-life people in the fight against plastics, and Engel's vivid, inclusive digital illustrations bolster this appealingly accessible picture book. Front matter includes an introduction by Milo Cress, founder of Be Straw Free, and back matter includes an author's note, timeline of the history of plastics and its projected future, and additional resources. Ages 4--8. (Feb.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A blend of STEM and poetry, this multidisciplinary book artfully explains the benefits and problems of plastics and encourages activism and alternatives. A variety of short topical verses for younger listeners is supplemented by short prose paragraphs with additional details for older readers. Illustrations that alternate between striking full-color double-page spreads and smaller colorful vignettes surrounded by white space are guaranteed to grab attention. In the two spreads that open the volume, a community map explains where plastics are commonly found, and an abecedary shows where plastics hide. The plastic content in items like eyeglasses and helmets might be obvious, but the notion that plastic is in chewing gum and cash will probably surprise readers. Interesting, fairly in-depth information about the life cycle of a discarded plastic fork, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a trash-collecting contraption in Baltimore's river, uses for recycled plastics, potential solutions for plastic pollution that involve jellyfish or caterpillars, and alternatives to single-use plastic items follows. In addition to pages that specifically encourage activism, many pages feature quotes from young activists from around the world, and illustrations reflect a similar diversity. A hidden gem in the ample backmatter, Poetry Notes identify and explain the numerous poetic forms that make up the text. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 41.9% of actual size.) Thoughtful and thought-provoking, this book will plant the seeds of environmental activism in young readers. (author's note, timeline, additional resources) (Informational picture book/poetry. 5-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
