How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate

by Lynne Cherry, Gary Braasch

Learn more about what climate changes means and how it's affecting our planet in this climate book for kids! Climate change is a critical and timely topic of deep concern, here told in an age-appropriate manner, with clarity and hope. This activist book for kids shows children that they too can make a difference! When the weather changes daily, how do we really know that Earth's climate is changing? This climate change book for kids shows the science behind the headlines―evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world, sometimes with assistance from young "citizen-scientists." And here is what young people, and their families and teachers, can do to learn about climate change and take action!

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Climate Change, Childrens, Picture Books, Environment

66 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Calciferocious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for late elementary school readers, as it's text-heavy but simply written and well explained. The wordiness is balanced by great field photos. Does exactly what it sets out to do, by explaining how both professional and citizen scientists observe animal migration, weather patterns, seasonal plant behavior, etc, and how those observations can be studied to derive information about how the climate is changing. Very matter-of-fact and practical, without any doom to speak of. Does not zoom out much to talk about broader consequences of these changes. Captain Planet-fan baby me would have found this an empowering read. My two minor critiques are that it wants updating, as it was published in 2008 and 13 years is a lifetime in climate science, and that its suggestions beyond becoming a citizen scientist are very limited (though this could also be chalked up to coming out in 2008, when "change your lightbulbs" was about as far as most calls to action went). Recommended for classrooms, museums, home libraries, my nephew's bookshelf.

As someone who first knew of her through her films, I would encourage folks who read this book to also check out Lynne Cherry's excellent "Young Voices for the Planet" short film series if you want to make the learning experience a little more multimedia: https://www.youngvoicesfortheplanet.com/

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd say that everything "works" in this highly informative book: the text is clear, well-paced, and with a very hopeful and encouraging tone. The photographs share that same clarity, with clearly worded captions. The layout design makes choosing a specific section to read and share very easy. You don't have to read the book page by page to make this one highly "useful." I can totally see the science teachers in my school using it when they study biomes, weather, and global warming with the middle school students.

It is a book with a clearly stated mission, supported by lots of data. I really like that citizen scientists notion and believe that we should encourage all our young people to participate, like so many mentioned in this book, in researching and helping the scientists to collect information and make our world sustainable for a long time to come.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shares a ton of important information! It doesn’t appear overwhelming, but may be for students. I would read this book as a class instead of recommending it for a young reader, but an older reader interested in the topic would enjoy this! It encourages change without being pushy.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a bit burned out of climate change...but it was a good book. It gives kids some guidance and ideas.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this to the global warming naysayers, but I hear it is hard to read a book with your head up your ass.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very broad in topics and informative but long in length and very preachy