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Summary
Summary
An encouraging and comprehensive illustrated nonfiction guide introducing children to the important topic of climate change with clear facts and positive solutions.
2022 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Longlist
2021 EUREKA! Honor Book, California Reading Association
An American Library Association "Top 10 Sustainability Themed Children's Book"
"This clear introduction to the whats and whys of environmental degradation balances sad facts with examples of what can and is being done. A solid pick...for its positive approach and breadth." --Kirkus Review
Filled with engaging big ideas that will inspire children to think about their role in keeping our world healthy, Our World Out of Balance details how humans have thrown the planet off-balance and ways we can work together to be part of the solution and create a healthier world.
Featuring brave scientists, young activists, and many groups working collectively to protect our future, Our World Out of Balance will leave readers feeling empowered and inspired.
Perfect for homeschooling and virtual and blended learning, each chapter pairs brightly colored illustrations with easily graspable scientific facts and statistics. The easy-to-follow "Before" and "After" segments help children understand complex topics like:
Air pollution Rising seas Plastics and increased waste WildfiresThe backmatter lists various citizen science initiatives that kids can take part in to help make a difference. Informational text includes a table of contents, diagrams, index, glossary, and select bibliography. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable inks.
Author Notes
Andrea Minoglio is a professional journalist and editor focused largely on the popularization of science and science for kids. He was recently Editor in Chief of Focus Junior, a scientific magazine for kids in Italy. Through his writing, he is able to translate the complexity of science, without trivializing it, explaining big ideas in a simple and approachable style.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--This book is packed with information about the climate crisis, from the rise in sea levels to intensive farming to threats to biodiversity. The narrative structure is purposefully organized: each section explains the problem, then includes a before-and-after section that describes what happened prior to the accelerating climate crisis and what is happening now. The following two pages outline how the problem works, how readers can help, and how others are helping. The eye-catching illustrations enhance the content, particularly in the "how" sections, where the artwork emphasizes the steps in the process being discussed. For example, a spread in the section "Extreme Weather Events" shows how a tropical cyclone starts. The images are infused with energy and movement that matches the event. These colorful illustrations fill the pages, with clear sectioning and symmetry between the topics. The back matter includes a glossary, an index, and a list of organizations focused on citizen science and protecting the planet. This English translation of a text originally released in Italian provides an excellent resource for classroom and library collections that seek contemporary works on climate change for young readers. VERDICT Purchase to help elementary readers understand the complexities of the climate crisis.--Jen McConnel, Longwood Univ., VA
Publisher's Weekly Review
In 17 illustrated sections, this picture book offers a comprehensive look at elements of climate change, including rising sea levels, deforestation, ocean and air pollution, and the melting cryosphere. Fanelli's bright illustrations have an open, vintage appeal, integrating well with Minoglio's accessible prose. In each section, the verso page presents "Before," offering a look at the world in the present day, as the recto page shows "After," sharing a visualization of the near future alongside current data and scientists' projections. Diagrams show step-by-step explanations of how concepts and processes work, while boxes labeled "How You Can Help" and "How People Are Helping" provide individually accomplishable actions and information about larger initiatives. This impressive introduction to climate change will stimulate budding ecologists. Back matter includes a list of organizations and citizen science initiatives, glossary, index, and sources. Ages 8--12. (Apr.)
Horn Book Review
This engaging book uses magazine-style infographics to depict several consequences of climate change (rising sea levels, desertification, etc.) in a series of two-page spreads. Each topic is presented with an overview alongside a "before and after" illustration and sidebar explaining a particular issue's importance and how things have changed over time. Follow-up spreads use diagrams to show how these problems develop and why they're ongoing. Additional sidebars explain what's being done to combat these challenges and how readers can help. Minoglio's informative, concise text combines with Fanelli's striking full-color illustrations for a worthy introduction to this timely subject. Websites, a glossary, and index are appended. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A survey of global threats to our environment and what can be done. From human-caused climate changes to too much trash, our world is out of balance. Appropriately, this clear introduction to the whats and whys of environmental degradation balances sad facts with examples of what can and is being done. Chapter by chapter this Italian import covers 15 environmental problems: global warming, rising sea levels, shrinking forests, growing cities, melting ice, disappearing wildlife, extreme weather, plastic in the ocean, desertification, polluted air, dying corals, overfarming, water pollution, fires, and waste management. Each four-page chapter includes an introduction to the issue, with descriptions of circumstances both before and after recent climate changes, and a spread explaining why and how the damage happens (usually described step by step), personal ways to help, and what others are doing. There's a concluding call for readers to speak out, as other young activists do. The organization of this survey is clear, the information accessible, the translation smooth, and the backmatter U.S.--centered. The illustrations have the appearance of prints, with blocks of undifferentiated color. They're full of details, humans (whose skin color is usually paper white but sometimes tan or black) doing all sorts of things, visual explanations, and scenes from all over the world. A solid pick among many similar titles for its positive approach and breadth. (websites for action, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Climate change comprises a series of related challenges, from rising sea levels, shrinking forests, and feeding the world to extreme weather, air quality, and ocean plastic. Minoglio has assembled them into an accessible guide for young people. She covers each issue in four-page sections that give a brief overview and ask a related why question (e.g., "Why stop deserts from spreading?") to start readers thinking about the topic. Each section also includes two colorful infographics. The first depicts "before" (the current situation) and "after," the projected situation if climate change isn't addressed (e.g., Earth's current biodiversity and projected extinction rates). The second offers a visual explanation of the issue--for instance, "How coral reefs get bleached." Finally, each section concludes with helpful tips, such as ways to avoid single-use plastic so it doesn't end up in oceans, and how others are fighting climate change around the world, like efforts to place eco-friendly glass balls on Arctic ice to reflect sunlight and prevent melting. A great starting place to understand climate change and its effects.
