The wild world handbook: How adventurers, artists, scientists - and you - can protect earth's habitats by Andrea Debbink, illustrated by Asia Orlando

I have been increasingly frustrated with the many issues with the publishing industry that are shown most clearly in books focusing on the environment and the "advice" they include to young readers. However, this book was a welcome relief with a truly diverse presentation. Although I don't agree with all the suggestions, I do feel that it's a much better selection of ideas to offer and the range of information included makes it much more accessible to all kids, not just a small number of privileged children.

The book is divided up into nine habitats; mountains, forests, deserts, polar lands, ocean, freshwater, cities, rainforests, and grasslands. Each chapter includes several brief biographies of people connected with the habitat, an overview of a "natural wonder," a suggestion for a field trip, a hands-on project, an "environmental success story," and a section on stewardship with includes suggestions from individuals to local to global efforts.

The final book will be in color, although the galley I reviewed was in black and white. I looked at an online preview and the colors match the art on the cover, a mix of blues, greens, sandy yellows and oranges. The layout is a strength here; it's very well-organized and the information is broken up into helpful sections that kids can browse or study more in-depth.

The biographies are fairly diverse and include people like Ada Blackjack, an indigenous woman who, although she had lost much of her peoples' culture in residential school, survived a season in the Arctic, to the wealthy and well-connected Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, who worked to preserve the deserts of California. There are contemporary figures, like Cristina Mittermeir, an activist wildlife photographer, and unexpected people like Jules Verne, whose scientific imagination spurred investigation of remote places like the depths of the ocean.

Hands-on projects and field trips include making your own hiking stick, mapping your local neighborhood, creating ocean-inspired art, and viewing the stars. The stewardship sections focused on the reader include ideas like picking up trash on the trails and paths around your home, conserving water and recycling paper, and learning about palm oil and native plants. Local suggestions, focused on the reader's community, include working with local governments and organizations on recycling campaigns, clean-up campaigns, and contacting representatives about conserving public lands. Global ideas are more general and talk about organizations that prevent deforestation, becoming involved in global groups like the UNMGCY (United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth) and supporting clean drinking water for all.

Verdict: This is an excellent book that meets readers where they are, whether they have the resources to be heavily involved in global conservation, just want to learn more about habitats and the people working to protect them, or are interested in making some small changes. An excellent choice for most public libraries. Another volume in the series, focused on "creatures" will be coming in November 2021.

ISBN: 9781683692683; Published May 2021 by Quirk Books; Galley provided by publisher; Purchased for the library