Kids Who Are Changing the World: A Book From the GoodPlanet Foundation

by Anne Jankeliowitch, Yann Arthus-Bertrand (Photographer)

Kids all around the world are doing something every day to change the world. Here are the stories of 45 of them . Whether it's in United States or Canada, Russia or Australia, China or Argentina, there are young people working hard to make the world a better place. They are schoolgirls trying to save the last bogs and wild pods in Hungary. Schoolboys trying to preserve marine biology in Madagascar or plant trees to reverse the effects of climate change. The 45 young heroes featured in this book have discovered issues that concerned them and they they did something about it. With skills ranging from singing, drawing, and painting to fund-raising, public demonstrations, and events, these are the stories of individuals who have fought climate change and pollution, and worked to protect animals and their natural habitats. While the stories alone are compelling, they are also accompanied by stunning and dynamic photographs from Yann Arthus-Bertrand. This inspiring and powerful book includes reference materials and suggestions on how you can get involved and become an environmental hero, too! Praise for Kids Who Are Changing the World "This is a very inspiring non-fiction book... it shares stories about young people who are doing incredible things to make the environment a better place." ― San Francisco Book Review "It's impressive to see the variety of kids that author Anne Jankeliowitch children ― some still in grade school, some in non-traditional learning environments ― who saw a need and acted upon it, proving there is no age or ability limit to make a difference... and when you add in photography by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, you've got a hopeful, optimistic winner to read." ― Bookworm Sez

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Childrens

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Anne Jankeliowitch is an engineer specializing in the environment.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 45 kids featured in this book have made some impact on the world in a global effort. Whether it is a local effort to be more aware of the dangers of climate change, or a more global look at endangered species, these kids have set a goal and made a plan for achieving that goal. Many of the young people have given interviews that include what motivates them, who supports them, and how they achieved their goals or are still working toward improving the planet for future generations. Used with student leadership, this book can launch many conversations about how one person can change the world.

[Kevin Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great examples ...

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Neil Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated now but good content.

[Sanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it shows how kids can actually make a difference in the world. It was cool to see young people taking action and solving real problems in their comunities. My favorite character was Olivia Bowler because she helped the environment just by painting. I thought it was awesome that she used her art to protect birds after an oil spill. It made me realize that even something small, like a painting, can make a big impact if you care enough to try.

I could relate to the kids in this book because I also care about the environment and want to help out in any way I can. Reading about their ideas and how they turned them into real changes made me think about how I could do something similar. My favorite part was seeing how their little ideas grew into big changes that helped a lot of people. It reminded me that you don’t have to be an adult to make a difference you have to believe in yourself and stick with it.

I think other kids should read this book too because it’s inspiring and shows that anyone can help make the world better. It also makes you feel hopeful and motivated to do something good, even if it seems small at first.

[Jennifer Gallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Date: September 2, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Ages: 9-12
E-ARC: Netgalley

From Goodreads:
"The inspiring stories of 45 young heroes who have made an impact on our planet.

Forty-five young people from around the world (including twelve from the U.S. and four from Canada) are doing something every day to make the world a better place. They discovered issues that concerned them and did something about it. With skills ranging from singing, drawing, and painting to fund-raising, public demonstrations, and events, they have fought climate change and pollution, and worked to protect animals and their natural habitats. This inspiring book also includes reference materials and suggestions on how readers can get involved."
In Washington, it seems that nothing is getting done about finding solutions for global warming. With Democrats and Republicans at a stalemate, decisions that will affect our future are not being made, and we, the people, are going to suffer because of it.

In the chaos of constant criticism and debate regarding global warming and climate change, sometimes the best voices to listen to are the most innocent. Here are forty-five children who are trying to make a difference with our environment, which includes everything from pollution to animal endangerment.

These awesome kids step forward to provide solutions to our most pressing environmental issues. Each young person is given the chance to express his/her beliefs about the topic and possible solutions to the problem.

With breathtaking photography to colorfully illustrate what is at stake, these forty-five brave young people try to change the world. Will you listen?

[High Plains Library District · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the People's Climate March having just taken place in New York City and the U.N. Climate Summit right behind, I knew that when this book came across my desk, I needed to look at it. And once I got started reading about these amazing kids, I couldn't stop! Wow! These are the stories that need to be reported in the news so everyone hears how kids are trying to change the world for the better.

From one young lady proposing that her school reduce the use of disposable bottles to a young man composing a song to share and educate children on all continents of the world about global warming, you will be amazed by the fortitude and drive of these young people to do one small thing to help fix the world's environmental problems. My only issue with the book is that the stories about these kids are three to thirteen years old and I know there are lots of young people fighting to save the environment today. My hope is that this book would become a yearly publication (hint, hint!)and that the author continue to report on the strong, persevering kids across the world doing what they can do.

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." -Edward Everett Hale. It's clear that the young activists in Kids Who are Changing the World by Anne Jankeliowitch already understand this.

~Jan

[Dornel Cerro · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I want my children to see living camels,” Cameron Oliver, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, p. 16.

This inspirational collection of stories about children who are leading the way in creating environmental change is a must-have for adults and educators working with children on project-based learning and community service projects.

Jankéliowitch reports on forty-five children from all over the world, briefly and engagingly describing their inspiration, the process for turning ideas into action, successes and failures, and advice. Readers will see a range of ideas and actions such as creating biodiesel fuel from cooking oil, planting trees, repurposing old computers, raising funds for well construction, and so much more.

The children in these stories show remarkable creativity, ingenuity, and determination. Some children used their passion for music, art, and theatre to carry their message to their community and the world, discovering that the dreams and aspirations of a child in Palo Alto, California can resonate with a child in Ethiopia. Talk about going global!

Read my full review of this book at Good Reads with Ronna at http://www.goodreadswithronna.com/201...

[infoqueen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This slender volume paints an uneven picture of young activists interested in climate change. While there is great diversity of gender and nationality among the subjects, they are not given equal weight: some children are given a three page spread, where others rate only a paragraph. Sometimes the child's age is given, sometimes not--and sometimes, confusingly, the child's age is given in the past (i.e., "10 years old in 2008."); some profiles include the child's picture, others do not. And the children's actual contribution to "changing the world" varies widely as well: while some have been extremely active (planting trees, digging wells), others seem to have only attended conferences on climate change, without actually doing anything about it.
The photographs included are beautiful (the co-author is Yann Arthus-Bertrand, of Earth From Above fame), but don't always match the text--i.e., a photograph of elephants in Meru Park in Kenya is between a story set in China and one set in East Islip, New York--and there is no story about any child doing anything for the elephants.
Lacking in both table of contents and index, the book is too insubstantial for research, and too inconsistent in tone and content to make for satisfying reading

[Joellen Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mentor text for #nf about kids who want our actions to speak louder than our words. They are role models in helping to make our world a better place. Lots of science and ss connections. MG - MS feature Long Island's Olivia Bouler - raised thousands after Gulf oil spill.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC supplied by publisher via NetGalley

[Chrissy]

This broke opened my heart and made me smile from virtual cover to cover.

You can be a leader or a follower. The world needs both to survive.