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The Mess That We Made
The Mess That We Made explores the environmental impact of trash and plastic on the ocean and marine life, and it inspires kids to do their part to combat pollution. Simple, rhythmic wording builds to a crescendo ("This is the mess that we made. These are the fish that swim in the mess that we made.") and the vibrant digital artwork captures the disaster that is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Children can imagine themselves as one of the four multi-ethnic occupants of the little boat surrounded by swirling plastic in the middle of the ocean, witnessing the cycle of destruction and the harm it causes to plants, animals, and humans. The first half of the book portrays the growing magnitude of the issue, and the second half rallies children and adults to make the necessary changes to save our oceans. Facts about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, ocean pollution, and how kids can help are included in the back matter.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
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1261 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
May 7, 2021
WOW. I'm ordering this picture book for our elementary, ms, and hs picture book collections, and I'm personally buying one for home. The haunting and stunning illustrations accompany the classic "This is the house that Jack built" structure that takes the reader under the surface of the ocean to see "the mess that we made," and I was aching and crying. Lord shows children that our waste goes to landfills that spill its contents into the water and the chain reaction of misery that ensues, but in an age-appropriate way for children who probably will not cry to the extent that I did. Then, Lord uses the same rhyme and structure to turn the narrative around to the "ocean that WE save." She transforms this devastating book into one about hope and empowerment, and I am IN LOVE. Can I please make every child read this? Can I please, please, please put this in every classroom, every park bench, every boardwalk wall, every camp rec room? Of all of the books about the The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and landfills, recycling, and planet preservation that I've read geared toward our youth, this is the most powerful.
The appendix info at the back is perfect, concise nonfiction factual info about the issues brought forth in the book. I recommend this to EVERY one, every library, and every elementary school classroom and every ELA class in every middle school and high school nation/world wide.
The appendix info at the back is perfect, concise nonfiction factual info about the issues brought forth in the book. I recommend this to EVERY one, every library, and every elementary school classroom and every ELA class in every middle school and high school nation/world wide.
December 27, 2021
This is one of the best books I’ve read about ocean pollution.
Read
January 9, 2021Okay so obviously recycling is....kind of a scam, and it's way too oversimplified here, even for a young audience. But the art is beautiful, especially the way the plastic is sort of overlaid on the color instead of being a color. And it's a really successful play on the "This is the house that Jack built" poem.
February 28, 2020
It's an exceptional way to teach children about how we impact the world and environment. Simply beautiful and important.
December 2, 2024
Educational, inspirational – this amazing book teaches children the importance of recycling and taking care of our planet! The Mess That We Made is written by Michelle Lord and is an informational text that encourages kids to learn about why we should all recycle, and how even the smallest of actions can have major impacts on our oceans – good and bad. It can be so easy to throw our trash all over the place, thinking someone will eventually get it for us. But even the smallest pieces of plastic can harm our wildlife, and it’s important to educate kids about this from a young age.
As the book progresses, the state of our oceans and lands decline, and it feels as if all hope for our healthy environment is lost. We see several animals suffer from the trash that we produce as well as our beaches. Ultimately, this hurts us too and we can see that in the way the kids in the story react to what they’re observing. This is an important part for kids to see, that our actions have consequences, and we need to change what we’re doing if we want to fix the problem. We see the book have a turn around and rebuild our hope for the world as the kids take responsibility and clean up “the mess that we made!”
Lord takes a real, stressful topic and leaves us with newfound inspiration and excitement that we can make a difference. The rhymes change their tune and become more positive, as well as the illustrations, as the kids help clean up the trash everywhere. Kids not only learn about the importance of taking care of our planet, but also that change starts with us, and we CAN do it! This book teaches us in an unbiased way that we have the power to bring about change, no matter how old or strong. This book leaves kids with a wonderful theme of hopefulness and eagerness to get out and change the world, and that’s why it’s a WOW book for me! This is a must-read book!
As the book progresses, the state of our oceans and lands decline, and it feels as if all hope for our healthy environment is lost. We see several animals suffer from the trash that we produce as well as our beaches. Ultimately, this hurts us too and we can see that in the way the kids in the story react to what they’re observing. This is an important part for kids to see, that our actions have consequences, and we need to change what we’re doing if we want to fix the problem. We see the book have a turn around and rebuild our hope for the world as the kids take responsibility and clean up “the mess that we made!”
Lord takes a real, stressful topic and leaves us with newfound inspiration and excitement that we can make a difference. The rhymes change their tune and become more positive, as well as the illustrations, as the kids help clean up the trash everywhere. Kids not only learn about the importance of taking care of our planet, but also that change starts with us, and we CAN do it! This book teaches us in an unbiased way that we have the power to bring about change, no matter how old or strong. This book leaves kids with a wonderful theme of hopefulness and eagerness to get out and change the world, and that’s why it’s a WOW book for me! This is a must-read book!
November 29, 2022
The Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord and illustrated by Julia Blattman has won the Northern Lights Book Awards and Winner of the Environment Category. The primary genre of this book would be environment and nonfiction. The literary device that is used for this book would be allegory where the illustrations are shown to convey an important message to its readers. At first glance, the colors of the book were very interesting. And I was not sure if this would be considered a WOW factor for me. Yet again, another book has proven me wrong.
Throughout the book, it explains how the ocean is covered with much waste and remains. The illustrator has done a very good job capturing the images of the idea as it merges within the story. I loved how colorful and so blue the ocean looked. And the small details that are provided also add essential materials that fit perfectly with the storyline. The message behind this story is to make necessary changes for the ocean. From an anti-bias perspective, this book will provide great discussions about recycling and reusing for diverse readers. It will also motivate young readers to explore their local ocean and find ways to help the sea.
Overall this book will inspire many others to help our world become green again. As a future educator, it's important to have our students and generation be aware of their own environment. How would we be able to grow without taking care of our home called earth?
Throughout the book, it explains how the ocean is covered with much waste and remains. The illustrator has done a very good job capturing the images of the idea as it merges within the story. I loved how colorful and so blue the ocean looked. And the small details that are provided also add essential materials that fit perfectly with the storyline. The message behind this story is to make necessary changes for the ocean. From an anti-bias perspective, this book will provide great discussions about recycling and reusing for diverse readers. It will also motivate young readers to explore their local ocean and find ways to help the sea.
Overall this book will inspire many others to help our world become green again. As a future educator, it's important to have our students and generation be aware of their own environment. How would we be able to grow without taking care of our home called earth?
May 7, 2021
This wonderfully-illustrated, cumulative rhyme succinctly explains the many problems associated with plastic pollution in our oceans. Yes, it's a big problem, and it's ugly and sad, but this book also ends on a tremendously hopeful note. People made this mess--but people can also clean it up! There are wonderful illustrations of clean-up projects large and small, and a delightful image of people and wildlife enjoying clean oceans and beaches.
And--wonder of wonders, this book actually acknowledges the problems that abandoned fishing nets cause for wildlife. Many eco-themed materials call out plastic straws and bags--a big problem, absolutely--but completely neglect the biggest source of plastic ocean debris of them all.
And--wonder of wonders, this book actually acknowledges the problems that abandoned fishing nets cause for wildlife. Many eco-themed materials call out plastic straws and bags--a big problem, absolutely--but completely neglect the biggest source of plastic ocean debris of them all.
May 10, 2021
5 stars. Message to clean and protect the oceans written effectively as a cumulative tale in the style of The House That Jack Built. Back matter and end pages emphasize the enormity of the problem. Source information provided in a link to the publisher. Colorful and detailed illustrations really emphasize the scope of the problem.
April 27, 2022
This plunges readers underwater as they discover the environmental devastation humans have inflicted. It's written in a way where it slowly builds up, resulting in a really nice rhythm and deeper comprehension.
It also offers practical ways to take better care of the Earth; would be great for discussion. The paint-like illustrations are so mesmerising!
It also offers practical ways to take better care of the Earth; would be great for discussion. The paint-like illustrations are so mesmerising!
July 11, 2022
In the style of the House that Jack Built, this book beautifully illustrates with words and pictures the damage that has been done to the ocean and the animals that reside in there by litter, Then in the same manner the second half of the book describes how to fix the damage, how to recycle, clean up the mess we made and save the ocean. 5 Stars.
January 23, 2023
Text-to-world connection
How does the theme or content presented in the book connect to
something happening in the world?
This book connects to something in the world by showing what happens when humans pollute/litter. It shows how when one animal eats trash it affects many other animals causing a domino effect. When students see all the trash in the ocean shown in the book they will see how badly pollution affects the ocean which also affects us. It encourages students to help our earth by recycling.
How does the theme or content presented in the book connect to
something happening in the world?
This book connects to something in the world by showing what happens when humans pollute/litter. It shows how when one animal eats trash it affects many other animals causing a domino effect. When students see all the trash in the ocean shown in the book they will see how badly pollution affects the ocean which also affects us. It encourages students to help our earth by recycling.
March 23, 2020
A rhyming picture book about ocean pollution and how to help fix it.
April 15, 2021
genre: informational nonfiction
grade level: kindergarten-2nd grade
personal review: This book would be great to educate children on the topic of recycling! This is a harder topic to read about sometimes, because there are not a lot of great resources for young students, but this book is a great resource! Not only does it discuss littering and recycling, but it also shows it in the pictures! Kids can then discuss what they see in the pictures and how they can help with the problem!
grade level: kindergarten-2nd grade
personal review: This book would be great to educate children on the topic of recycling! This is a harder topic to read about sometimes, because there are not a lot of great resources for young students, but this book is a great resource! Not only does it discuss littering and recycling, but it also shows it in the pictures! Kids can then discuss what they see in the pictures and how they can help with the problem!
January 25, 2023
Beautiful and sad
January 21, 2020
Do you know about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? More importantly, do your kids know about it? Children are so refreshing in their approach to pretty serious world problems, as they often genuinely believe that they can help. When they learn that smoking is bad or that bees are important, they’re likely to tell anyone who will listen or make fliers to hang up around school or town. Teach them about pollution and just watch as they go crazy picking up trash! So what does this have to do with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
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Written in the pattern of The House That Jack Built, The Mess That We Made tells the story of the effects of trash in our ocean, starting with the fish that “swim in the mess that we made” and working down to the “landfill, growing each day” and the “people at work and at play.” The Mess That We Made isn’t all dark and dismal, though, as it ends with a community coming together for a Beach Clean Up Day and showing the positive impact that we can have on our ocean and its resources.
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Almost more than the words, Blattman’s illustrations tell an incredibly powerful story. We see fish eating trash, seals caught in nets, turtles trapped in plastic 6-pack rings, landfills spilling into the bay, and so much more. These images struck my children in a way that words can’t. Every single time we read it, we notice another way Blattman has shown that our trash affects sea life.
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Our four-year-old has been requesting this book on repeat for the last few weeks, which shows you just how appealing this is to little ears and eyes. And, she’s both intrigued and inspired by the content, asking all sorts of questions about pollution, trash, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Be sure to check out the special section at the back includes facts about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, ocean pollution, and calls-to-action. I’ll definitely be adding this to my list of “Earth Day Books to Read Year-Round.”
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If you liked this, check out:
One Plastic Bag
Greta and the Giants
Spring After Spring
Wangari’s Trees of Peace
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A big thank you to the publishers for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Written in the pattern of The House That Jack Built, The Mess That We Made tells the story of the effects of trash in our ocean, starting with the fish that “swim in the mess that we made” and working down to the “landfill, growing each day” and the “people at work and at play.” The Mess That We Made isn’t all dark and dismal, though, as it ends with a community coming together for a Beach Clean Up Day and showing the positive impact that we can have on our ocean and its resources.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Almost more than the words, Blattman’s illustrations tell an incredibly powerful story. We see fish eating trash, seals caught in nets, turtles trapped in plastic 6-pack rings, landfills spilling into the bay, and so much more. These images struck my children in a way that words can’t. Every single time we read it, we notice another way Blattman has shown that our trash affects sea life.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Our four-year-old has been requesting this book on repeat for the last few weeks, which shows you just how appealing this is to little ears and eyes. And, she’s both intrigued and inspired by the content, asking all sorts of questions about pollution, trash, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Be sure to check out the special section at the back includes facts about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, ocean pollution, and calls-to-action. I’ll definitely be adding this to my list of “Earth Day Books to Read Year-Round.”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you liked this, check out:
One Plastic Bag
Greta and the Giants
Spring After Spring
Wangari’s Trees of Peace
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A big thank you to the publishers for sharing this book with our family in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
March 3, 2020
Crying Happy Tearsof Hope
I just finished the book. I sit here in tears, giving thanks that there is a book for children that not only uses a familiar rhyme/song perfectly to show cause and effect, but also has real, solid activities and actions that kids can take on easily to become stewards of the Earth. Well researched, full of interesting facts mixed with crucial ones. I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I do, only because I thought, “Oh, this is a nursery rhyme. Kids will like it.” But by the second example I was hooked. Didn’t know what to expect as I read, so I got sadder and sadder that the things I love are being destroyed. I think that was the point, to take the reader from shock and horror, to sadness, to anger, and finally to actions to take. So glad the book took a bad topic and continued to write hope into it. The illustrations by Julia Blattman are outstanding and make you as invested in the situations, as Author Michelle Lord does with her lyrics. I am inspired by this book. I wonder how it would sound with music? Hmmm...... I highly recommend this book for every school and library. It should be mandatory reading. Thank you for this gift to the Earth Michele Lord , Julia Blattman and Flashlight Press. 💙💙💙More books like this! And songs!😉 🎶🎨📚
I just finished the book. I sit here in tears, giving thanks that there is a book for children that not only uses a familiar rhyme/song perfectly to show cause and effect, but also has real, solid activities and actions that kids can take on easily to become stewards of the Earth. Well researched, full of interesting facts mixed with crucial ones. I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I do, only because I thought, “Oh, this is a nursery rhyme. Kids will like it.” But by the second example I was hooked. Didn’t know what to expect as I read, so I got sadder and sadder that the things I love are being destroyed. I think that was the point, to take the reader from shock and horror, to sadness, to anger, and finally to actions to take. So glad the book took a bad topic and continued to write hope into it. The illustrations by Julia Blattman are outstanding and make you as invested in the situations, as Author Michelle Lord does with her lyrics. I am inspired by this book. I wonder how it would sound with music? Hmmm...... I highly recommend this book for every school and library. It should be mandatory reading. Thank you for this gift to the Earth Michele Lord , Julia Blattman and Flashlight Press. 💙💙💙More books like this! And songs!😉 🎶🎨📚
September 22, 2020
We have made a mess, now we need to clean it up. I love the cumulative rhymes in this book along with the informational call to action message. Many children and adults are unaware of the amount of trash that consumes our oceans because many of us can not see the effect of this pollution in our everyday lives. This has made a terrible impact on our oceans and the wildlife that lives there.Sea turtles and seals are trapped in plastic and fish are eating the unfamiliar harmful trash. The digitally created illustrations in this book send an important message to young readers about our environment with wonderful details. This story would make a great introduction to children on the magnitude of changes that the ocean is going through. It sends a positive message that we can all help, we can make the Earth a better place to live by reducing waste, recycling plastic, and hauling garbage. The last pages give kids examples of how they can learn more and prevent ocean garbage patches from becoming worse.
March 27, 2020
What better book to use for an Earth Day discussion than THE MESS THAT WE MADE. Told in a cumulative structure (like the House that Jack Build) readers are able to see the cumulative effects of throwing away trash on the ocean. But, Lord doesn't stop there. Instead, she then shows people working together to clean up the trash, and illustrator Julia Blattman's colorful trash is replaced with colorful sea vegetation. There is backmatter linking each line and image to specific problems and offering more explanation. This would make such a great classroom read!
December 16, 2020
Read this with my almost 3yr old and she loved it. It also started a conversation about trash and about picking up, which at this age she loves to help clean. Loved the message and recommend this book to teach young children to recycle and help clean up the ocean. Received and arc.
January 4, 2020
Through rhyme and beautiful artwork of the sea, awareness of the problem trash has caused hits a clear note before gliding in with several solutions.
This is a book with a purpose: to raise awareness of the large trash problem currently ruining our oceans and seas. The author uses a repetitive (and very familiar) rhyming to bring the point home. It's not only easy and catchy for young listeners to join in on, but cleverly builds...much like the garbage situation. But simply showing a problem doesn't round things off. This book also ends with hope and offers solutions along the way.
The illustrations are beautiful...if not bitter-sweet, since they do clear drive the point of ocean pollution home. While the rhyme makes each moment clear, the illustrations really touch the heart. Especially the sea life is wonderfully depicted and invites for gazing, among the garbage, of course. It's a well-balanced mix, which makes sure the message hits with full strength.
Not only does do the last pages of the book show a light at the end of the tunnel and illustrate that it's not a lost situation, but there are extra pages at the end, which give more detail. Each scene (or poem line) is give more information on how it affects the environment. Then, a suggestion is offered as to how each specific problem can be helped.
For anyone wanting to raise awareness concerning ocean pollution, this is a wonderful book to grab up and use.
I received a complimentary copy and found the book beautifully done. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
This is a book with a purpose: to raise awareness of the large trash problem currently ruining our oceans and seas. The author uses a repetitive (and very familiar) rhyming to bring the point home. It's not only easy and catchy for young listeners to join in on, but cleverly builds...much like the garbage situation. But simply showing a problem doesn't round things off. This book also ends with hope and offers solutions along the way.
The illustrations are beautiful...if not bitter-sweet, since they do clear drive the point of ocean pollution home. While the rhyme makes each moment clear, the illustrations really touch the heart. Especially the sea life is wonderfully depicted and invites for gazing, among the garbage, of course. It's a well-balanced mix, which makes sure the message hits with full strength.
Not only does do the last pages of the book show a light at the end of the tunnel and illustrate that it's not a lost situation, but there are extra pages at the end, which give more detail. Each scene (or poem line) is give more information on how it affects the environment. Then, a suggestion is offered as to how each specific problem can be helped.
For anyone wanting to raise awareness concerning ocean pollution, this is a wonderful book to grab up and use.
I received a complimentary copy and found the book beautifully done. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
July 12, 2020
This cumulative tale focuses on the environmental impact of our garbage, or the mess that we made. Four children in a little boat float in a sea of nets, bottles, plastic and more. As they watch, a seal is caught in a broken net, a turtle is trapped in a plastic bag, and the landfill near the water grows and grows. Then the book takes a turn and shows how people, large and small, can make a real difference by cleaning up the beach, recycling, using clean energy, protesting problematic fishing, and cleaning up the oceans.
It is the cumulative format that really works here. Lord never makes it into a towering and overwhelming “This is the house that Jack built” sort of story. She instead plays with the format in a shorter structure, creating a clear cause and effect for young readers both in the destruction of our oceans and in cleaning them up. The result is a cumulative tale that reads aloud really well and smoothly. Her twist of showing how people can help is a call to action that clearly shows how even children can make a difference in our world.
The art is particularly effective when showing underwater scenes and the huge amount of garbage in the ocean. The light from above illuminates the struggles of ocean life and yet also shows the lingering beauty of the habitat and the blue green waters.
A strong environmental message about our oceans and our responsibility. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
It is the cumulative format that really works here. Lord never makes it into a towering and overwhelming “This is the house that Jack built” sort of story. She instead plays with the format in a shorter structure, creating a clear cause and effect for young readers both in the destruction of our oceans and in cleaning them up. The result is a cumulative tale that reads aloud really well and smoothly. Her twist of showing how people can help is a call to action that clearly shows how even children can make a difference in our world.
The art is particularly effective when showing underwater scenes and the huge amount of garbage in the ocean. The light from above illuminates the struggles of ocean life and yet also shows the lingering beauty of the habitat and the blue green waters.
A strong environmental message about our oceans and our responsibility. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
February 28, 2020
Four diverse looking kids with big eyes, the illustrator has also worked for Disney animation, are drifting in the ocean following along with cumulative text based on “The house that Jack built”. It is about the trash that is affecting many living creatures including human beings. It starts with the title of the book, which leads to the fish and seals in the ocean, but comes back to landfills spilling plastic, trapping turtles, and people who stuff the landfills. The dark blue and gray images turn to colorful and bright again, describing the solutions possible to clean up the mess we made “we are the ones who can save the day, reduce our waste at work and play, recycle the plastic thrown away.”
Unfortunately the kids in the boat are looking young; which makes the book less appealing to an older age group who might understand and discuss the topic better. The last spreads suggest solutions to pollution discussed in the book and the back end paper shows a map with ocean garbage patches.
This informational picture book is still a great addition to any library wanting a lighter approach to ocean pollution and environmentalism as a read aloud or resource.
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Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
Unfortunately the kids in the boat are looking young; which makes the book less appealing to an older age group who might understand and discuss the topic better. The last spreads suggest solutions to pollution discussed in the book and the back end paper shows a map with ocean garbage patches.
This informational picture book is still a great addition to any library wanting a lighter approach to ocean pollution and environmentalism as a read aloud or resource.
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Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
August 26, 2021
The Mess That We Made is a children's picture book written by Michelle Lord and illustrated by Julia Blattman. The cadences of a familiar nursery rhyme introduce concerns about ocean garbage and what humanity, who made the mess, can do to help clean it up.
Lord's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Riffing on "The House That Jack Built", Lord crescendos cause and effect to show how human actions harm the ocean. Backmatter includes substantial supplemental information which explains landfills and oceanic pollution and suggests more ways to help. Blattman's colorful, detailed illustrations show children peering into a swirling oceanic soup of plastic fragments where ghost nets and plastic bags entangle seals, whales, and turtles.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. In a familiar rhyming scheme, Lord describes how humanity created the mess that infested the planet – the ocean in particular. Midway through, the narrative pivots, which Lord lists some positive actions to build to a triumphant conclusion using the same rhyming scheme.
All in all, The Mess That We Made is a well-intentioned but likely to overwhelm the intended readers and listeners.
Lord's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Riffing on "The House That Jack Built", Lord crescendos cause and effect to show how human actions harm the ocean. Backmatter includes substantial supplemental information which explains landfills and oceanic pollution and suggests more ways to help. Blattman's colorful, detailed illustrations show children peering into a swirling oceanic soup of plastic fragments where ghost nets and plastic bags entangle seals, whales, and turtles.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. In a familiar rhyming scheme, Lord describes how humanity created the mess that infested the planet – the ocean in particular. Midway through, the narrative pivots, which Lord lists some positive actions to build to a triumphant conclusion using the same rhyming scheme.
All in all, The Mess That We Made is a well-intentioned but likely to overwhelm the intended readers and listeners.
October 31, 2025
Sometimes the biggest lessons come from the smallest choices we make. In The Mess We Made by Michelle Lord, people enjoy the ocean but slowly pollute it with trash, showing how human actions harm sea life. What I liked most is that it also shows how we can fix things by cleaning up and working together. The main themes are environmental awareness and responsibility. The genre of this book is realistic fiction with an environmental message. Through reading it, I learned that small actions matter and that we all have a role in protecting our planet. This was a WOW book for me because it made me more aware of how simple changes can make a big difference.
Michelle Lord used repetition to make the story powerful. The line “This is the mess we made” keeps showing up to remind readers that we caused the problem, but we can fix it too. She also used imagery, with pictures of ocean animals and pollution that really hit me emotionally. It made me think about how serious ocean pollution is. I would consider this book anti bias because it teaches kids to care for the environment and understand that everyone’s actions matter. It’s about kindness, awareness, and taking responsibility for our world.
Michelle Lord used repetition to make the story powerful. The line “This is the mess we made” keeps showing up to remind readers that we caused the problem, but we can fix it too. She also used imagery, with pictures of ocean animals and pollution that really hit me emotionally. It made me think about how serious ocean pollution is. I would consider this book anti bias because it teaches kids to care for the environment and understand that everyone’s actions matter. It’s about kindness, awareness, and taking responsibility for our world.
February 22, 2020
Yes, it's a picture book persay, but illustriously illustrated by Julia Blattman! I'm blown away by the illustrations and rhyme building that accompanies a very sobering topic, of why we humans pollute not merely our own ecosystem, but that of which we share with other species. If you read it to your little one or your first grader attempts to read on their own with you, be prepared to answer a lot of questions! Such as: "Why are people doing this? What can be done? What are YOU doing about it? And, little ones asking How can I help?"
As I mentioned, I was blown away by the illustrations. Very artistic and even realistic to the point of perhaps disturbing the minds of sensitive children. So make certain you read WITH your child, as they may be troubled and overwhelmed by the depictions of aquatic life endangered by plastic refuse, dolphins caught in fishermen's nets, turtles thinking that plastic bags are food, etc.
At the end of the book, it explains how mankind's polluting ways affect each type of aquatic species and what can be done to remedy pollution of our oceans and waterways.
As I mentioned, I was blown away by the illustrations. Very artistic and even realistic to the point of perhaps disturbing the minds of sensitive children. So make certain you read WITH your child, as they may be troubled and overwhelmed by the depictions of aquatic life endangered by plastic refuse, dolphins caught in fishermen's nets, turtles thinking that plastic bags are food, etc.
At the end of the book, it explains how mankind's polluting ways affect each type of aquatic species and what can be done to remedy pollution of our oceans and waterways.
April 12, 2023
This is such a powerful children's picture book. The text is a poem that takes readers through the marine life that is affected by the mess we made; pollution. Using poetry was an excellent idea for this type of topic. It adds a suspense and seriousness factor, which is fitting because the topic is very important and deep. I believe children need to understand how humans contribute to pollution in the world. If they are educated on this early, they can just maybe become the difference. After all, children are our future leaders of the world.
The illustrations are another important aspect of this book. They are so detailed and vivid. They show the deepness and many levels of the ocean, which is visually pleasing for anyone. The hues of blues and greens make it that much more realistic. I believe that when readers see these pictures, the words will become real.
The setting in this book is very important because of its relevance to the topic. The book would not be nearly as effective if it was placed in a house. The setting is in the ocean. With the pollution. With the animals. It allows readers to really visualize the damage we have done.
The illustrations are another important aspect of this book. They are so detailed and vivid. They show the deepness and many levels of the ocean, which is visually pleasing for anyone. The hues of blues and greens make it that much more realistic. I believe that when readers see these pictures, the words will become real.
The setting in this book is very important because of its relevance to the topic. The book would not be nearly as effective if it was placed in a house. The setting is in the ocean. With the pollution. With the animals. It allows readers to really visualize the damage we have done.
January 31, 2020
https://dominicamat.blogspot.com/2020...
Ο πλανήτης μας πλέον δείχνει να αργοπεθαίνει. Κύριος καί μόνος υπαίτιος ο άνθρωπος καί η ρύπανση που προκαλεί παντού γύρω του. Αν θέλουμε να αλλάξει αυτή η κατάσταση καί να παραδώσουμε στις μελλοντικές γενιές έναν υγιή τόπο διαμονής,καλό είναι από πολύ νεαρή ηλικία να τους μιλήσουμε για την ανακύκλωση καί την προσπάθεια για μείωση των ρύπων που καταστρέφουν το περιβάλλον γύρω μας καί κατ'επέκταση κι εμάς τους ίδιους.
Μία πολύ καλή πρόταση παιδικού βιβλίου για να αντιληφθούν τα μικρά παιδιά όλα τα παραπάνω είναι το παραμύθι ''Το χάος που δημιουργήσαμε'' από την συγγραφέα κυρία Michelle Lord. Η μικρή σε έκταση ιστορία καί η πολύ χαρούμενη εικονογράφηση θα κάνει τα μικρά σας να ξετρελαθούν. Να αναζητάτε βιβλία που να έχουν ένα νόημα μέσα στις ιστορίες τους καί θα διδάξουν τα σωστά πράγματα στους μικρούς σας βιβλιόφιλους. Εγώ το βρήκα πολύ αρεστό καί άκρως ουσιώδες. Αναζητήστε το!Αξίζει να το διαβάσετε.
Καλά σας αναγνώσματα!
Ο πλανήτης μας πλέον δείχνει να αργοπεθαίνει. Κύριος καί μόνος υπαίτιος ο άνθρωπος καί η ρύπανση που προκαλεί παντού γύρω του. Αν θέλουμε να αλλάξει αυτή η κατάσταση καί να παραδώσουμε στις μελλοντικές γενιές έναν υγιή τόπο διαμονής,καλό είναι από πολύ νεαρή ηλικία να τους μιλήσουμε για την ανακύκλωση καί την προσπάθεια για μείωση των ρύπων που καταστρέφουν το περιβάλλον γύρω μας καί κατ'επέκταση κι εμάς τους ίδιους.
Μία πολύ καλή πρόταση παιδικού βιβλίου για να αντιληφθούν τα μικρά παιδιά όλα τα παραπάνω είναι το παραμύθι ''Το χάος που δημιουργήσαμε'' από την συγγραφέα κυρία Michelle Lord. Η μικρή σε έκταση ιστορία καί η πολύ χαρούμενη εικονογράφηση θα κάνει τα μικρά σας να ξετρελαθούν. Να αναζητάτε βιβλία που να έχουν ένα νόημα μέσα στις ιστορίες τους καί θα διδάξουν τα σωστά πράγματα στους μικρούς σας βιβλιόφιλους. Εγώ το βρήκα πολύ αρεστό καί άκρως ουσιώδες. Αναζητήστε το!Αξίζει να το διαβάσετε.
Καλά σας αναγνώσματα!
January 16, 2021
A gorgeously illustrated book, with a vital message, that needs to be in every child's hands. There's not enough emphasis here on reducing consumerism, which really is the only thing that will make any kind of difference. We cannot recycle our way out of the mess that we made. Beach clean-ups and parks built on landfills cannot solve our problems. Nevertheless, this book is a good starting point to get kids to think about what humanity is doing to our planet, and that we cannot continue this way.
The book is divided into the main "story," which is told in an engaging and touching way; and a follow-up section, which adds information to the themes introduced in the first part. There's a bit of a disconnect between the story, which is appropriate for children from a fairly young age; and the end part, which really is directed at teenagers or adults. Younger kids will need a conversation with an adult to help them understand some of the facts and what they can do to help.
Very close to 5 stars, but not quite.
The book is divided into the main "story," which is told in an engaging and touching way; and a follow-up section, which adds information to the themes introduced in the first part. There's a bit of a disconnect between the story, which is appropriate for children from a fairly young age; and the end part, which really is directed at teenagers or adults. Younger kids will need a conversation with an adult to help them understand some of the facts and what they can do to help.
Very close to 5 stars, but not quite.
June 4, 2025
This powerful picture book is a gentle wake-up call and inspiring call to action. Written in a cumulative rhyme, this story takes readers on a journey through the ocean aboard a small boat filled with children. But what they see beneath the waves tells a deeper story. From a turtle tangled in plastic to a landfill spilling into the sea, the children see firsthand the consequences of pollution. But what makes this story stand out is how it circles back to the power of collective action. We see the same turtle freed, the waters cleaned, and the trash reduced, thanks to small, intentional choices like recycling, using less, and working together.
The illustrations are absolutely stunning and immersive, bringing both the mess and the hope to life in a way that young readers can feel. It’s a visually rich book that works beautifully as part of any environmental curriculum or conversation theme. Whether you’re a teacher, caregiver, or someone looking to raise a thoughtful, planet-loving child, this is a book that will open eyes and spark action. Highly recommend for readers of all ages.
The illustrations are absolutely stunning and immersive, bringing both the mess and the hope to life in a way that young readers can feel. It’s a visually rich book that works beautifully as part of any environmental curriculum or conversation theme. Whether you’re a teacher, caregiver, or someone looking to raise a thoughtful, planet-loving child, this is a book that will open eyes and spark action. Highly recommend for readers of all ages.
August 1, 2020
Heartbreaking and hopeful — a new favourite!
I was walking along, minding my own business, when this stunning cover caught my eye... So I made all my work friends look at it, read it as soon as I could, and I am very happy to share that it did not disappoint!
The Mess That We Made educates growing humans on how we have hurt—and, ultimately, can save—our planet. Really, everyone should read this! The rhyming narrative and vibrant visuals work together beautifully and should captivate even the littlest ones. For those especially moved and curious, they can find further information and resources at the back.
Thank you, Michelle Lord, for writing a book that both informs and empowers — I hope The Mess That We Made finds its way into many little hands because I believe it has the power to inspire and make a true impact. A brighter, greener future awaits!!
I was walking along, minding my own business, when this stunning cover caught my eye... So I made all my work friends look at it, read it as soon as I could, and I am very happy to share that it did not disappoint!
The Mess That We Made educates growing humans on how we have hurt—and, ultimately, can save—our planet. Really, everyone should read this! The rhyming narrative and vibrant visuals work together beautifully and should captivate even the littlest ones. For those especially moved and curious, they can find further information and resources at the back.
Thank you, Michelle Lord, for writing a book that both informs and empowers — I hope The Mess That We Made finds its way into many little hands because I believe it has the power to inspire and make a true impact. A brighter, greener future awaits!!
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