Small Steps, Big Change

by Annemarie Cool, James Jones (illustrator)

An uplifting, environmental picture book guide for kids ages 3-7 with 14 simple tips for helping to build a better tomorrow, inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Children ages 3-7 will meet Water Hero, Sharing Hero, and more fun characters as they present 14 simple tips that everyone can do to make our world a better place.Everyone can make a difference when it comes to protecting the environment! This inviting book is full of 14 simple, everyday goals that anyone can achieve to bring about positive change.Tips ourselves healthy by eating vegetables and getting plenty of exercise; Using reusable bags for shopping and conserving energy and water;Reducing the amount of plastic we use and keeping beaches clean when we visit them; andTreating others with respect and working togetherInspired by the Sustainable Development Goals, formulated by the United Nations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Environment, Climate Change

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 20, 2024

Reviews

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/small-...

SMALL STEPS, BIG CHANGE is a cute picture book about ways that children can make a difference in the world around them. The book begins by describing climate change, before going into the little things you can do in every day life to help, such as buying local produce and/or with recyclable packaging, conserving energy when you can, and not littering when you go to the beach.

What I loved: This is an approachable way for children to learn about how small things can have a positive impact. The writing is easy to follow and lays out the information as well as clear things that readers can do to help. The illustrations are colorful and adorable on each page, really bringing each scene to life. As it includes quite a bit of text on each page, this book would work best for older picture book readers and would be great for elementary school aged children. It would be a good pick for the classroom or library activity, particularly around Earth Day.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, some of the steps are a bit more abstract, and it is not clear what some of them, such as exercising, has to do with climate change (the second tip is to be active, some later tips are similarly not so clearly related).

Final verdict: Overall, SMALL STEPS, BIG CHANGE is a fun and colorful picture book about ways that children can make a difference in their lives by making careful choices, being kind, and keeping their curiosity. Recommend for elementary school aged readers.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Shan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that there was a really good idea here but the execution fell a bit short for me.
I really enjoyed the setup on the first few pages of the book. The author explained the climate crisis in a simple and non-alarming way, and then went into ways that kids can pitch in to help fight climate change. However, this idea then went out the window after a few more pages. It seemed like starting with some depth into one idea threw off the entire book when it shifted into another idea. What I mean by this is give equal amounts of energy to each topic if you're going to have more than one.
Another thing is some of the "heroes" were a bit weak. For example, the equality hero and the fairness hero just felt too similar and made the ideas redundant. I would morph the two into one hero (and therefore page spread) to avoid any potential confusion or repetition. That note aside, I liked the diversity of the heroes and I adored how the author covered a range of lessons in one short book. These lessons were beautifully and colorfully conveyed through the illustrations, which were very well-done and especially detailed.
Lastly, I think that this book is so, so important, especially in today's world. I applaud the creators of this book for making such a comprehensive "guide" for young kids to follow and be inspired by to make a real and big difference in the world.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Steps, Big Change is a needed, educational, phenomenal, motivational, humanitarian, and thoughtful read! Inspired by the sustainable development goals formulated by the United Nations; the message of this book is one we all need to hear. I love that the characters in this book are highlighted as heros. The small changes they propose are ones children can easily carry out on their own. Protecting the earth, themselves, and one another will help make kiddos feel like heros too. Even better families can work towards implementing life style changes together!

The heroes in the book include following: water hero, eat well hero, fairness hero, curiosity hero, climate action hero, nature hero, live well hero, energy hero, sharing hero, equality hero, kindness hero, and stay well hero! Each hero has a valuable lesson to share. I adore the formatting of this book! Each goal is clear, the hero has their own spotlight, and various background characters help expand on the concept by demonstrating behaviors or tips to implement the change. This book is truly a needed and phenomenal read!

#ad #gifted #partner A HUGE thank you to Publisher Spotlight @pubspotlight, and the publisher @tigertalesbooks @littletigerbooks @tigertales_books for the gifted copy!

[Andrea W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduce little ones to all the small steps they can make to effect big change in the world around them. Inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations, this book provides a tremendous formula for all family members to combine efforts to bring about positive, sustainable, essential changes to keep our Earth happy today, and every day.

The fourteen small steps in the book each feature adorable goal related hero characters and include familiar climate sustainability goals like Reduce, Reuse & Recycle and loving our oceans, great daily steps like loving our fruits & veggies and water conservation, and important reminders like staying active through play and filling the world with kindness and respect. The true power of illustration is on full display, with bold icons and the entire spectrum capturing attention and encouraging readers to become the everyday heros their world needs.

From home, to school, to library, bedtime snuggles to community read alouds, this book that is thoughtfully printed in eco-friendly veggie basaed inks lends itself brilliantly to all settings and should be shared and embraced liberally with readers and little listeners of all ages.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book gets right to the heart of the matter with no hesitation at all. Climate change is real, and if our planet is to survive, things have to change. Consequently, the text provides 14 small steps that youngsters and their parents can take to make a difference. Led by 12 different and colorful heroes with kid appeal, including Energy Hero, Fairness Hero, and Nature Hero, among others, the text urges readers to reduce, reuse, and recycle, take care of the oceans, treat others with respect, and work with others. While the main focus here is the environment, the examples take a broader approach to the topic than most other children's books. Supported by lively illustrations with kid appeal, the text is encouraging and informative rather than dry and didactic, and reading the book leaves readers with hope that they can make a difference by being mindful of food choices, taking care of themselves, and supporting others. Ah, if some of those industrial polluters and political leaders would only read books like this one!

[Lisa Roppel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Steps, Big Change is a bright and colourful picture book. The message is simple but effective and gives young kids easy ways that they can be more healthy and help the earth at the same time. The illustrations are engaging with lots of information included in a way that is not over whelming to a young reader. This would make a great addition to any public, school, classroom or personal library. It would be best suited to JK- Grade 3 students in my opinion.

Thank you Net Galley, Annemarie Cool and Tiger Tales for the opportunity to preview this picture book. The opinions shared are my own.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, this book covers a lot of really important topics in very broad strokes for kids. From recycling and sustainability to being kind and sharing with others, it presents a general guide for creating positive change. As another reviewer said, I can definitely see this book being a kind of introductory read on being a 'good human.'

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynsaroo · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the help of some heroes, learn 14 easy steps to bettering our world and our lives! Inspired by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, this book is simple enough for the youngest kids to get on-board with a healthy 🧠 mind and body, ♻️ conservation, education and community. The idea of having a hero for each topic is a perfect way to capture my kids’ attention.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brought me so much joy. It’s so so incredible. I will 100% be buying a copy for school. This needs to be read in all schools all the time. So many gorgeous messages and talking kids through the UN Sustainable Development Goals in a way that’s accessible and GORGEOUSLY done.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved the easy to understand and accomplish ideas in this book for kids about saving the world one person or step at a time. It's a colorful and informative book that will inspire many.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earth Day or New Year's Resolutions?

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to my mind, heart, and soul.

[امیرمحمد حیدری · Rating 4 out of 5]

یک کتاب فوق‌العاده که توسط نشر مهرسا به چاپ رسیده است. کتابی که به کودکان یاد می‌دهد چگونه از سیاره، طبیعت، آب، انرژی و خودشان مراقبت کنند.

[Reading With Yeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annemarie Cool's Small Steps, Big Change is an engaging and inspiring book that encourages readers to make a positive impact on themselves, others, and the Earth. Drawing inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Cool presents actionable steps in a clear and practical way. Meanwhile, Jones’s vibrant illustrations captivate and draw in readers. The book covers essential themes, such as mindful consumption and treating both nature and humanity with care and respect. Overall, Small Steps, Big Change offers simple yet powerful lessons on how we can protect both the planet and mankind—a true gem worth treasuring.