50 Climate Questions

May 7, 2012
The quirky questions in this paper-over-board earth science book yield a broad discussion of climate, while cartoons provide light entertainment. Topics include global warming’s effect on the Arctic (“Why is it raining inside my igloo?”) and how a cooling climate 2.5 million years ago forced early humans to diversify their diets. Christie also provides insight into weather events throughout history—for example, how weather change contributed to civil unrest that spawned the French Revolution. A fun and informative resource. Ages 9–up.

July 1, 2012

Gr 5-8-This sweeping chronicle looks at climate change over the eons, giving readers a broad and multifaceted picture of a timely topic. Beginning with the Earth's gaseous origin, it clumps questions into a loose chronology. Humans appear in chapter two and then spread across the globe in chapter three. Additional chapters are devoted to the rise and fall of ancient civilizations and major and minor world events in which climate played a role. The story of Noah's ark, the Egyptian Dark Ages, and the eventual failure of the German empire to take over the Soviet Union are all examined through climate shifts. The final chapter brings readers into the 21st century with details on current changes and simple solutions that everyone can do. The chapters are strung together with nonsensical, tongue-in-cheek questions that mine the subject for humor. For example question 34, "What is it with kids these days?" refers to the 2011 effects of La Nina in Australia while question 48, "Could you call this a BIG help?" explains how sperm whale excrement helps reduce greenhouse gases. Scattered between the questions are occasional topical pages that add background to the science and scientists involved with climate change. The cartoon-style spot art matches the tone of the questions, which float on white clouds on full-bleed blue backdrops. The more sedate text is centered on each page under the cloud. Back matter includes an extensive index and chapter notes. For a historical look at a hot topic, this title might fill a need.-Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2012
Grades 4-7 Climate change is a hot topic these days, but the climate has been affecting the earth since before there were people to discuss it. Christie gives young readers a quick overview of the many ways in which climate has changed the world and the creatures living on it, from the effect of an oxygen-rich atmosphere on the size of prehistoric bugs to the rise of wars during times of cold, harsh weather. Though the questions are generally silly (e.g., Do you sea' what I see?) and the activities uninspired, the information offered is easy to understand and organized in a logical manner, starting with the gasses that formed the earth's first atmosphere and continuing to today's rapidly increasing changes in climate. Nothing is covered in great depth, so librarians will want to have other titles on hand to help patrons do more research after this book catches their attention, but short paragraphs and goofy illustrations make this a good choice for reluctant readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)