What do you think?
Rate this book
This Book Stinks!: Gross Garbage, Rotten Rubbish, and the Science of Trash
Get up close and personal with a wonderful world of waste. From composting and recycling, to landfills and dumps, to how creative people are finding new ways to reuse rubbish. It's fun to talk trash when it's jam-packed with infographics, thematic spreads, wow-worthy photos, sidebars, serious stats, and fabulous facts. Also included are quizzes and activities to inspire kids to take action, be proactive, and rethink the things we throw away.
- GenresNonfictionScience
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2017
1 person is currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Wassner Flynn
25 books14 followersSarah Wassner Flynn is a fitness and sports writer, a children's book author, a runner, and a mother.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 17, 2017
The title of this National Geographic Kids' book is a bit misleading because the "book" doesn't stink. No, the book is about garbage that stinks. And we all know that rotting garbage is putrid smelling and no one wants to be around it.
Reading through This Book Stinks! is basically a journey of bold infographics that give facts - interesting and stunning, about all the stuff that today's people around the world use, abuse, and trash. The mind-boggling facts and images of the huge mountains of trash dumps and landfills cause deep concern to this reader. Designed as a book to inform and education young readers of the importance that acceptance of their own individual responsibility to reduce the production of waste in the world, it is still entertaining.
The pictures and graphics are great and so well done. The coupling of factual information and statistics that even a child can understand are well presented with text that informs in bite-size pieces easily absorbed.
Who will enjoy this book? Kids, of course, and parents will also become enlightened. I do advise, though, that constraint be exercised regarding the information on "dumpster diving" as it can lead to forays into some nasty stuff while the seeker hopes to find treasures to use or up-source.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review on behalf of National Geographic Kids. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated.
Reading through This Book Stinks! is basically a journey of bold infographics that give facts - interesting and stunning, about all the stuff that today's people around the world use, abuse, and trash. The mind-boggling facts and images of the huge mountains of trash dumps and landfills cause deep concern to this reader. Designed as a book to inform and education young readers of the importance that acceptance of their own individual responsibility to reduce the production of waste in the world, it is still entertaining.
The pictures and graphics are great and so well done. The coupling of factual information and statistics that even a child can understand are well presented with text that informs in bite-size pieces easily absorbed.
Who will enjoy this book? Kids, of course, and parents will also become enlightened. I do advise, though, that constraint be exercised regarding the information on "dumpster diving" as it can lead to forays into some nasty stuff while the seeker hopes to find treasures to use or up-source.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review on behalf of National Geographic Kids. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated.
September 13, 2017
I had no idea garbage and recycling could be so fascinating. The facts in the book are both intriguing and horrifying at the same time. Just thinking of the amount of waste human beings produce is mind-boggling. On the other hand, the efforts being made to lower the waste created through composting, recycling, and other programs gives hope. The book is divided into seven chapters:
The Bin and Beyond
Trashing the Earth
All about Recycling
Food (Waste) for Thought
Dirty Work
The Future of Garbage
Take Out the Trash
There are articles about people making a difference as well as creative uses of garbage. Infographics provide quick glimpses into junk in space, the most garbage producing nations, as well as facts about recycling and food waste. Brief quizzes and suggestions for contributing to the effort to reduce waste are also included. This is an important and eye-opening book for young readers. It would also make a great text for environmental studies classes. The illustrations are eye-catching if not always appealing (it is garbage after all).
The Bin and Beyond
Trashing the Earth
All about Recycling
Food (Waste) for Thought
Dirty Work
The Future of Garbage
Take Out the Trash
There are articles about people making a difference as well as creative uses of garbage. Infographics provide quick glimpses into junk in space, the most garbage producing nations, as well as facts about recycling and food waste. Brief quizzes and suggestions for contributing to the effort to reduce waste are also included. This is an important and eye-opening book for young readers. It would also make a great text for environmental studies classes. The illustrations are eye-catching if not always appealing (it is garbage after all).
June 18, 2017
My Thoughts-
This book is great for bringing to the attention of kids the problem the world has with waste. It goes about it in many ways. There are big, bold colorful pictures that show the massive amounts of garbage in dumps and landfills. There are quizzes and activities to alert kids to what they can do to help the environment. There are also charts and graphs.
I liked the science aspect of things, where kids are shown how landfills work to stop leaking bad components into the ground and also the information about how long it takes certain products to decompose... 1 million years for a glass bottle and 450 years for a disposable diaper!
A bonus of the book is that it hits on the fact that garbage can be fun. It shows artists, dumpster divers and scientists creating new ways to use and re-use garbage. Overall, it teaches kids how to play a part in making the world a less wasteful place. I picked up this book just because I was curious about the pictures of garbage. I know that's weird, but it intrigued me and I think kids will get a kick out of the pictures too. Plus, guess what happens to old landfills? They get turned into playgrounds and sports fields! Who knew? Kids will wonder about the ground beneath them and that is cool. I'm giving this book 5 stars!
This book is great for bringing to the attention of kids the problem the world has with waste. It goes about it in many ways. There are big, bold colorful pictures that show the massive amounts of garbage in dumps and landfills. There are quizzes and activities to alert kids to what they can do to help the environment. There are also charts and graphs.
I liked the science aspect of things, where kids are shown how landfills work to stop leaking bad components into the ground and also the information about how long it takes certain products to decompose... 1 million years for a glass bottle and 450 years for a disposable diaper!
A bonus of the book is that it hits on the fact that garbage can be fun. It shows artists, dumpster divers and scientists creating new ways to use and re-use garbage. Overall, it teaches kids how to play a part in making the world a less wasteful place. I picked up this book just because I was curious about the pictures of garbage. I know that's weird, but it intrigued me and I think kids will get a kick out of the pictures too. Plus, guess what happens to old landfills? They get turned into playgrounds and sports fields! Who knew? Kids will wonder about the ground beneath them and that is cool. I'm giving this book 5 stars!
July 16, 2017
We know that the trash we produce stinks. But what happens to it after we put it in the dumpster and the truck picks it up and takes it away? In the U.S. we generate about 254 million tons of garbage. Trash goes to a landfill and there, high tech water systems, and methane collection in an isolated area is where the trash is crushed and compacted. Overtime, these landfills literally fill up and are converted into parks, wildlife reserves or something else that can be useful to the public.
If you are curious about how long it takes trash to break down, it can be found within these pages. Readers will also learn what country in the world is the most wasteful, what facilities are powered by trash, how climate change is effected by trash, what we can do to recycle, composting and the future of garbage. Colorful photos, illustrations and educational fact boxes will enlighten readers about the trash we throw away. Parents and teachers can use this tool for discussion and even create projects that will teach kids what they can do to limit the amount of trash in their homes.
If you are curious about how long it takes trash to break down, it can be found within these pages. Readers will also learn what country in the world is the most wasteful, what facilities are powered by trash, how climate change is effected by trash, what we can do to recycle, composting and the future of garbage. Colorful photos, illustrations and educational fact boxes will enlighten readers about the trash we throw away. Parents and teachers can use this tool for discussion and even create projects that will teach kids what they can do to limit the amount of trash in their homes.
September 23, 2017
Flynn, Sarah This Book Stinks, 128 pages. National Geographic, 2017. $15. NON-FICTION
This book features information about trash such as what is in trash, where people are putting trash, recycling, reusing, and how students can make a difference. It contains a ton of cool and interesting facts, inspiring people, and well-chosen engaging photographs. While it provides grim facts, it has an overwhelming message of hope and a chance for making a difference.
This is a fantastic book with an appealing cover that will draw students in. The mini biographies are incredibly cool. This book was fun to read, current, relevant, and just plain awesome. I think students will enjoy reading it, while teachers could read select pages for activities on trash and recycling.
EL(K-3), EL –ADVISABLE. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
This book features information about trash such as what is in trash, where people are putting trash, recycling, reusing, and how students can make a difference. It contains a ton of cool and interesting facts, inspiring people, and well-chosen engaging photographs. While it provides grim facts, it has an overwhelming message of hope and a chance for making a difference.
This is a fantastic book with an appealing cover that will draw students in. The mini biographies are incredibly cool. This book was fun to read, current, relevant, and just plain awesome. I think students will enjoy reading it, while teachers could read select pages for activities on trash and recycling.
EL(K-3), EL –ADVISABLE. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
June 16, 2023
This book from National Geographic covers some of the same information. It's sections are on basic trash information, how it is effecting our planet, recycling, food waste, garbage collectors and other people that work with trash, and thoughts on the future. What I love about this book (and all Nat Geo books for kids) are the awesome photographs and the way information is laid out in easy to digest and eye catching ways.
July 9, 2017
This Book Stinks! dives into a topic that many of us would like to ignore. It is packed with information about how much trash the world really produces, the different methods in which trash may be handled, and – best of all – things that we can all do to help lighten the load for planet Earth.
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
November 9, 2017
A book full of facts about food in many different forms (how we waste it, landfill info, ocean trash, composting, etc.). Each page offers many text features to portray the information with bright, colorful text boxes and great photographs. Children will love poring over this book for many days.
January 22, 2019
The book is pretty overflown with information that makes it harder to read to a young kid. It will probably be suitable for older children starting at seven year old or so. Otherwise, it’s an an important, informative and interesting read.
March 10, 2024
This book is bad
It does have interesting facts but tells kids to eat eggs and other things that are past their expiration date this could make people sick advocates dumpster diving this book could get kids into a lot of trouble and illnesses sour milk pancakes?gross
It does have interesting facts but tells kids to eat eggs and other things that are past their expiration date this could make people sick advocates dumpster diving this book could get kids into a lot of trouble and illnesses sour milk pancakes?gross
November 30, 2017
Informational
A unique feature of this book is the interesting amount of trash facts as well as the info-graphics and quizzes. This book is very interactive! I would recommend this book for grades 3-6. 11/28/17
A unique feature of this book is the interesting amount of trash facts as well as the info-graphics and quizzes. This book is very interactive! I would recommend this book for grades 3-6. 11/28/17
August 7, 2022
Informative for basic info and ideas
April 4, 2023
How garbage can be turned into something in good use
August 3, 2017
Much like an Eyewitness book, but with better photos. Great for browsing, classroom libraries, use during lessons on recycling and the environment.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews