The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics

Description

"Thoughtful and thought-provoking, this book will plant the seeds of environmental activism in young readers." -Kirkus (starred review) "I encourage everyone to read this book." -Dr. Jane Goodall There's no doubt about it-plastic is in almost everything. From our phones and computers to our toys and utensils, plastic is everywhere. But the amount of plastic we throw away is hurting the health of our planet. With The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics, readers will be fascinated as they learn about the growing plastic problem and meet just a few of the young activists who are standing up and speaking out for change. You'll hear about the "Be Straw Free" campaign, started by nine-year-old Milo Cress. You'll discover how scientists are using jellyfish snot and munching, crunching caterpillars to break down plastic pollution faster. You'll meet Xochitl Guadalupe Cruz Lopez, the eight-year-old girl turning old plastic bottles into solar heaters. And there are many more incredible kids here, not much older than our readers, who will inspire us all to change the way we think about plastic! With an introduction from Milo Cress and bright, colorful illustrations from Christiane Engel, this collection of brilliant, lyrical nonfiction poems by award-winning author Susan Hood highlights the threat of plastic and the kids who are fighting for change to save our planet. Includes extensive backmatter with a timeline, author's note, further resources, and more.

Susan Hood is the former children's content director of Nick Jr. Magazine and has worked as a children's book editor. She is the author of more than two hundred books for children, including Look! I Can Read!, illustrated by Amy Wummer, and the Pup and Hound series for beginning readers, illustrated by Linda Hendry. She has also written for parents and early childhood educators in the New York Times, Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect, Sesame Street Parents Guide, and more. She lives with her family in Southport, Connecticut, and spends summers sailing the coast of Maine with her husband. Christiane Engel loves writing and illustrating, especially for children and young people! She has illustrated more than thirty children's books so far and also works on magazines, advertising, juvenile fiction, and kids' products.

Thoughtful and thought-provoking, this book will plant the seeds of environmental activism in young readers. - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) In this factually augmented poetry collection, Hood illuminates the reasons, repercussions, and remedies for humans' considerable use of plastic....Engel's vivid, inclusive digital illustrations bolster this appealingly accessible picture book. - Publishers Weekly A fantastic resource for those who want to learn about the fight against plastic pollution. A useful book to include in poetry or social awareness units, this is a thorough resource on plastic consumption. - School Library Journal A breezy way of introducing ecology concepts and starting important conversations. - Booklist With an introduction from Milo Cress and bright, colorful illustrations from Christiane Engel, this collection of brilliant, lyrical nonfiction poems by award-winning author Susan Hood highlights the threat of plastic and the kids who are fighting for change to save our planet. - kidlit.tv You'll finish this book and think about what you can do to help the environment. - Mrs. Knott's Book Blog You don't want to miss this smart read. - Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Blog