Join the No-Plastic Challenge!: A First Book of Reducing Waste (Exploring Our Community)
by Scot Ritchie (Author) Scot Ritchie (Illustrator)
For his birthday celebration, Nick has challenged his friends --- Yulee, Sally, Pedro and Martin --- to spend the day without using any single-use plastic. This means they use their own cloth bags for shopping, they say no thanks to plastic straws and, instead of balloons, they decorate with kites and streamers made of natural materials. The children discover that not using plastic is not that hard. They also learn about what plastic is made of, how much of it surrounds us and how it's polluting our oceans and affecting the food chain. Most importantly, the five friends learn ways to use less --- including just saying NO! The book concludes with fun ideas for readers to do a No-Plastic Challenge of their own!
This friendly introduction to a timely and urgent topic is part of Scot Ritchie's popular Exploring Our Community series. It will raise awareness of just how much plastic we use every day, and why that matters. Rather than focusing on the negative, however, the book takes a positive, proactive approach to the subject, empowering children with ideas for what they can do about it. As with all the books in the series, this one features friendly, appealing illustrations and the same diverse cast of characters. It has strong curriculum ties in science, including environmental awareness, sustainability and stewardship. It also offers terrific character education lessons in responsibility, citizenship and initiative.
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K-Gr 2-Nick is celebrating his birthday with a picnic on the island. He has been learning about plastic pollution and decides to challenge his friends to go all day without single-use plastics. From shopping for the party to playing in the sand, the five friends learn what plastic is made of, how it gets into our food chain, and so much more. In this seventh book in the "Exploring Our Community" series, Ritchie explains recycling in kid-friendly language while demonstrating that any effort will help our Earth become cleaner. On each double-page spread, the story and illustrations provide concrete examples of what the author is trying to convey while bold-typed explanations help readers understand the vocabulary and suggest actions that they can take in their own lives. The digitally rendered illustrations are bright and colorful, with maps and labels to assist emerging readers. End matter includes a glossary. VERDICT This story leaves readers with hope that plastic pollution is being addressed by manufacturers and encourages everyone to take the "No-Plastic Challenge!" An excellent introduction to reducing waste for young readers.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Publishers Weekly
In this primer on minimizing waste, birthday boy Nick challenges his friends to go a full day without single-use plastics, which "make up about half of the plastic we use every day." Readers are invited to participate in this Earth-friendly quest, and the text elucidates how to be aware of plastics; stock up on reusable materials such as bags, cutlery, and bottles; and pick up litter, among other environmentally conscious efforts. In accessible language, Ritchie delineates the problems caused by plastic production and what scientists know about its effects. A postscript includes a glossary of pertinent terms, such as biodegradable and microplastics . Ritchie's comiclike artwork complements the upbeat narrative, employing a loose, free line and a light wash of colors to depict characters consciously setting a plastic-free routine. A light-handed yet substantial guide to mindful resource usage. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)
Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JNF065000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Recycling & Green Living
Environmental aspects
Refuse and refuse disposal
Waste minimization
Plastics
Plastic scrap
Source reduction (Waste management)
