Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  The story of a small piece of land began five hundred million years ago, when it was part of the ocean.  Dinosaurs walked on it sixty-seven million years ago, and ice covered it one hundred thousand years ago.  There have been many, many changes, and different forms of life have come and gone.  But the land has always survived…until humans came along.  Starting with a single house, people gradually built more and more on the land, even digging into it to create structures to support them.  The impacts grew and grew until one day “…it seemed unstoppable,” shown with an upside down black and gray illustration.  Kids start to make changes, reclaiming the land with clean-up efforts, flowers, and trees.  Even a small gift to the Earth can reap big rewards.  Includes an author’s note, a list of words that inspired the book, animals and plants in the book, a list of epochs represented, and additional resources.  48 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  A gorgeous introduction to environmental concerns, covering a surprising amount of information with deceptively simple text and illustrations that reminded me a little bit of Virginia Lee Burton (and should be considered for a Caldecott!).  The last few pages and back matter will empower kids to figure out what they can do to help the planet.

Cons:  My usual discouragement and angst when I read books about the environment.

Published by Charlesbridge

Summary:  Since early times, humans have been attracted to things that are iridescent, like beetles and mica.  In more recent history, people have learned to manufacture this iridescence, starting with “flitter”, a mix of ground-up mica, metal, and paper that was sold in the early 1900’s.  During World War II, mica was needed for industry, so a man named Henry F. Ruschmann began making plastic glitter from his factory in Bernardsville, NJ.  This product, which has become ubiquitous in our society, has its downsides, being the very definition of microplastic, a material that is wreaking all kinds of environmental havoc.  Alternative glitters are being created, so it looks as though, one way or another, glitter is here to stay.  Includes an author’s note that talks about how he researched the book, an illustrator’s note, books for further reading, and a bibliography.  48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Chris Barton tells the story of glitter with some history, some science, and a lot of humor in this extremely engaging nonfiction book.  The illustrations are lots of fun, and what kid is not going to want to read about glitter?

Cons:  My vacuum cleaner and I have kind of a love/hate relationship with glitter.

Published by Random House Studio

Summary:  When a whale dies, its massive body sinks to the bottom of the deep sea, beginning a 50-year process that supports all kinds of ocean life.  Hagfish, sleeper sharks, and other scavengers are the first to arrive, eventually picking the bones of the whale clean.  Zombie worms feed on the bones, and squat lobsters eat the zombie worms.  The process continues for decades, supporting millions of animals in the deep sea, until every trace of the whale has disappeared.  Includes additional information on the 22 animals included in the main text, a list of selected sources, and resources offering additional information.  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  A fascinating look at a process scientists didn’t know occurred until 1987.  The illustrations perfectly capture the deep sea, with close-ups of some of the creatures featured in insets.  A unique topic that is sure to capture the interest of budding marine biologists.

Cons:  The picture of hungry hagfish descending on the whale carcass may be a bit disturbing to whale lovers. Circle of life, man.

Published by Greystone Kids

Summary:  Each of the fifteen tiny animals profiled here has a superpower. Whether it’s the pygmy seahorse’s ability to camouflage, the axolotl’s regenerative powers, or the black-footed cat’s lethal aim, each animal has something that allows it to survive despite being so small.  Each profile includes an illustration, a poem, and a comic strip that gives the animal the chance to show off its special abilities.  The final poem asks readers to consider what their superpowers might be.  36 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  The cute poems, comics, and illustrations offer a fascinating look at some unique animal adaptations, and the last poem is a nice way to get kids thinking about what makes them unique as well.

Cons:  I would have loved some additional information at the end, particularly about how the hydra stays young forever.

Published by Millbrook Press

Summary:  The tallest living thing isn’t an animal: it’s a tree.  Trees can grow taller than the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben, closing in on 400 feet.  Amazingly, they all start as a small seed, but the ideal conditions of sunlight and water can result in lots of growth and a long life, sometimes thousands of years, with protection from their bark and roots.  From their great height, the trees send down their seeds to the ground, beginning the process all over again.  Includes additional information about trees, photos and facts about some of the world’s tallest trees, a couple of tree activities, and a list of resources.  32 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  An excellent informational book with beautiful illustrations and plenty of back matter.  Perfect for any unit on trees, plants, or seeds.

Cons:  It would have been nice to have a map showing where the tallest trees live, since they seem to be concentrated in just a few places in the world.

Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  As a young girl explores a backyard garden, a jumper spider engages in parallel activities.  They both have senses to explore the world around them, but Jumper’s senses are extra keen, with sound-detecting hairs all over her body and eight eyes that see in all directions.  These senses, plus her jumping abilities, keep her safe from predators like a chickadee and a wasp.  She also uses them for hunting, and the final pages show her successful capture of a fly as big as she is.  Includes four pages of additional information, a glossary, a list of resources, and steps for finding and identifying spiders.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Spectacular illustrations portray a spider’s-eye view of the world, including a gatefold illustration of what the garden looks like through eight eyes.  The extensive back matter makes this an excellent resource for research.  Could be a Caldecott or Sibert contender.

Cons:  The capture of the fly is not for the faint of heart.