Review by Booklist Review
Although we think of them as separate, the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern (or Antarctic) oceans form one huge global water mass, explains education consultant Strauss. This ocean provides us with oxygen and food, regulates our climate, and performs other essential roles. But Earth's most important feature is in trouble, and via a thorough explanation of how the global ocean works and benefits us, as well as what the dangers to it are and how they can be ameliorated, Strauss seeks to make children take notice and take action. With such a sprawling area to cover, the book necessarily flits quickly from one topic to the next, but the highlights, such as the water cycle, the Pacific garbage patch, how climate change works, and why plastic is dangerous, are well chosen--they're also intriguing and accessibly explained. Strauss provides encouragement, discussing the "wave of change" already happening--in activities such as climate strikes--and lists easy actions readers can make, such as using less plastic. On every page, large computer-generated illustrations show colorful marine landscapes, animals, and friendly humans. A solid purchase for junior science collections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Starting with contextualizing information about how ocean currents and the water cycle connect, this latest in the Citizen-Kid series shines a spotlight on the world's imperiled global ocean and its history, its many human-caused threats, and myriad ways that people might seek to restore its health. Thick, wavy black-line borders separate Donovan's stylized digital illustrations from Strauss's to-the-point text. Abutting descriptions of ocean stressors such as overfishing and pollution, "Ripple of Change" sidebars offer hopeful actions. The last two sections catalog both organized ocean rescue efforts and everyday choices that people can make, depicting people of varying abilities, cultures, and skin tones working together to protect "Earth's beating heart." A final note to teachers and families, alongside an image of a family reading a bedtime story, presumably about the ocean, exemplifies one way to increase ocean literacy among youth. An extensive index concludes this fact-heavy mix of science and environmental activism that sets an empowering rather than despairing tone. Ages 8--12. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Portraying the global ocean as the beating heart of the Earth, pumping nutrients and oxygen around the planet, Strauss opens with a palpable sense of urgency. The global ocean, the worldwide network of interconnected seas, is in trouble. Overfishing and bycatch, coastal building and habitat destruction, plastic pollution, and the warming and acidification of oceans resulting from climate change are all examined. While these grim realities are presented starkly enough, the inclusion of positive action steps provide a balance. Each spread features a "ripple of change" element, highlighting some of the varied interventions happening around the globe. For example, Bangladesh was one of the first countries to ban single-use plastic bags, a step which many other countries subsequently followed. The digital illustrations lovingly portray marine wildlife and environments in some scenes while showing the distressing consequences of human action in others. One view portrays oversized whales swimming alongside an enormous oil spill, a fishing boat hauling a huge catch, skyscrapers sprouting from the shorelines, and floating trash piles littering what should be expanses of unbroken blue water. Back matter includes advice to teachers, parents, and young readers to encourage further investigation into ocean life and threats, while also providing action steps to mitigate the impact of human activities on the global ocean. VERDICT A timely exploration of the threats facing the world's oceans, this book will educate and inspire the next generation of environmental activists.--Alyssa Annico
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