Review: How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate by Lynne Cherry

by Lori Calabrese

We've all heard of global warming, but how many of us really know the facts behind it all? When our weather changes, how can we really tell that the Earth's climate is changing?

What I love about this book is that it presents all the evidence--evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more gathered by scientists around the world. This non-scary (let's admit it- the whole global warming thing can be a little frightening) book is action-oriented, and is an inspiring look at how scientists do their work, what they're discovering about global warming and how kids really can make a difference.

The book focuses on students as an important part of the research teams assisting scientists in documenting the changes in our environment. Cherry explains how observation such as noting when birds first appear or when flowers begin to bloom can help bring about climate-change strategies. Students are featured gathering data about migrating birds and butterflies, the changing of the seasons, water quality and flow, tree growth, plant diversity and range, and frog populations.What a great idea to have your students or children learn about data and how they can help! She includes examples of how nature is changing such as migrations, melting ice caps and rising coastlines and how these changes have been observed. Then, she takes a look at what scientists do with their information. A great part of the book are the photographs that compare "now and then." What better way to learn about the importance of observation by seeing what the Athabasca Glacier looked like in 1917 and what it looked like in 2005.

It's attention to detail and the amount of text makes it best suited for young adults, but this hard to tackle information is laid out in a simple way for younger readers to understand. The combination of pictures and facts won't have you feeling as though you're reading a science book. It also won't have you feeling as though the end of the world is coming tomorrow, but instead it offers ways that you can help scientists in the "What You-and a Million Kids-Can Do" section. Projects are featured along with their teachers and students. Suggestions are presented on how to reduce your carbon "footprint" or impact on the environment such as recycling, using compact fluorescents instead of light bulbs, minimizing use of appliances and unplugging those not needed, eating less meat, buying less, and getting involved in the community.

Additional Information:

Author: Lynne Cherry
Illustrator: Gary Braasch
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 66 pages
Publisher: Dawn Pubns; Library Binding edition (March 3, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1584691034
ISBN-13: 978-1584691037

Lori Calabrese is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and children in both her personal and professional life. Lori's publishing credits include Boys' Life, Odyssey, Appleseeds, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., Turtle Magazine, Stories for Children Magazine, and The Institute of Children's Literature's Rx for Writers. Lori is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature, a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Children's Books Examiner at Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/x-7597-Childrens-Books-Examiner/)

To learn more, please visit: http://www.loricalabrese.com