Saturday, October 27, 2012

A Warmer World


Climate change as a topic in Eco-science faces widespread debate. While primary scientific research clearly points to the rise in surface temperatures, disagreements still persist in popular, mainstream media.

But, we know warming trends have been happening right before our eyes. To me,
the simple truth about global warming stems from the longer and hotter summers that we have been seeing of late. That to me is proof enough to show that the truth about global warming simply can’t be ignored.

Public debates and personal views are umpteen on the topic of global warming. But without further ado, let's move on to what we care about most on this blog. Books of course! And how books serve as a fun tool to introduce to children certain hard-to-grasp topics.

This CROCUS is all about fun ways to introduce Math and Eco-Science. Nonfiction science-based picture books work as a great tool in bringing some fun topics to school-aged children, in a not-so-heavy-handed way.

As the title suggests, A Warmer World is a book about the warming world and its effect on different species. On each page, there’s a mention of a particular species – all the way from polar bears to butterflies, from specific areas of the world.

I am biased towards animal-themed, nonfiction books. Staying true to that, I have purchased a plethora of picture books on nonfiction topics, by many wonderful authors such as Seymour Simon (one of the best science writers for children!), April Pulley Sayre, Gail Gibbons, Martin Jenkins etc. Caroline Arnold's wonderful nonfiction was a recent find!

In her book, A Warming World, she eloquently brings to young readers the topic of global warming. She includes numerous examples of small animals and plants such as squirrels and mice in Yosemite reaching for higher grounds, the toads in Costa Rica completely extinct,etc. She discusses their plight as plain and simple, hard-to-miss facts, and thus making it accessible to young minds.

In non-fiction, I typically look for books where the writing is clear, concise and factually appropriate. This book captures the essence in an engaging and well-organized manner. In the hands of a master writer, even plain and simple facts become fascinating! Caroline is clearly very skillful at her craft. Her matter-of-fact approach to the text lends a less heavier feel to an important topic. The soft pastel illustrations aptly complement the contents of the book.

The book was a quick read for the older one. As for the resident six year old, the topic is being offered in bite-sizes. I am sure the book will be cherished in the home-front for a long time. In the process of reading out to her, I’ve learned so many interesting facts myself.

A glossary of terms in the back of the book serves handy.This is an excellent book to educate children about the effect of climate change, early on, although critics complain that the book doesn't offer any solutions to children giving them suggestions on ways they can help.

One place you could visit is the author's website where you and your child can learn more about ways to take action. On her website, you will also find her other nonfiction works.

And there's another link that you don't want to miss - www.awarmerworld.com has a been a real delight discovering! Parent and teachers will find the book and the website, a hands-on tool for any home or classroom.

A Warmer World has been listed in the Nonfiction Detective Blog among the blog's Favorite Books of 2012

2 comments:

Choxbox said...

In the process of reading out to her, I’ve learned so many interesting facts myself.
-- totally agree Praba. In fact it is extremely humbling to realise how little I know!

Will look out for this book.

Sheela said...

Caroline Arnold is much-admired and respected in our house, for her clear and factual non-fiction books that not only share facts but also the context for it, in a child-friendly way.

So glad to note that here at Saffron Tree we have featured books by April Pulley Sayre, Caroline Arnold, Steve Jenkins and Gail Gibbons!

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