Book Bundles: Environmental Champions

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ibon Adarne & Rachel Yew. An early-twentieth-century eco-advocate and an abundant natural wonderland come to life in this picture-book biography. Patterned, poetic language tells two intertwining stories: the first of Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890–1998), a journalist who used poetry, literature, and on-the-ground activism to prevent development of the Florida Everglades; the second of the Everglades themselves, a "trickle of water" that, over generations, became the sprawling home to nine different habitats. Striking jewel-toned illustrations capture the grandeur of the Everglades' ecological landscape, as well as show off the myriad critters that live there. A tribute to the remarkable persistence of an unconventional centenarian and the wetlands she advocated for and adored. Four concluding pages provide information about some of the Everglades' flora and fauna, more about Douglas, ideas for readers to help, and sources.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 Raised in the mid-1800s by an outdoorsy father and astronomer mother ("It was quite unusual for a woman to study science in those days"), Florence Merriam Bailey grew up "surrounded by trees" and drawn to the birds that flew among them. As an adult, her compassion compelled her to launch protests against the killing of birds for fashion, sport, or study, all the while becoming a leading ornithologist herself. Appealingly textured mixed-media collage illustrations place a maturing Florence against vast double-page spreads of sky, forest, and city; the playful use of perspective depicts her as a small but steady presence among grander ecosystems. This is a bright and accessible introduction to a woman whose quiet advocacy left a lasting impact, complete with easy suggestions for budding birders and environmentalists to follow in Bailey's observant footsteps. An author's note and resource list are appended.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) 4-6 First Names series. Illustrated by Tom Knight. This illustrated chapter-book biography traces the life of young Greta Thunberg from outraged eight-year-old to powerhouse teen activist while also introducing the politics, history, and science surrounding her impassioned cause of slowing global climate change. Thunberg's life story captures the significant physical and emotional toll that global warming enacted on her childhood, as well as her success in harnessing her personal strengths to influence global decision-makers. Ample comic-style line drawings lighten the tone and clarify complex concepts. When cartoon Greta speaks directly--through speech bubbles and with Thunberg's signature intense gaze--readers will feel the urgency for both understanding and immediate action. A timeline of important dates in Thunberg's life (so far), glossary, bibliography, and index are appended.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald