Oil

by Jonah Winter, Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

Mother-son team Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter tell the story of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and its devastating and lingering effects in this poetic and timely picture book.Oil is drawn up from deep in the earth by machines, transported through pipelines, and pumped onto a ship that sails out to sea. When the ship crashes into a reef, the oil spills out over miles of ocean, covering rocks and animals alike. What will the consequences be? In this poignant and impactful picture book, celebrated picture book creators Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter powerfully explore the devastating impact mankind can have on nature.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Environment, Nature, Science, Childrens, History

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Jonah Winter is the celebrated author of many picture book biographies, including Barack, which was a New York Times bestseller. His books include Here Comes the Garbage Barge, Sonia Sotomayor, Roberto Clemente, and more. A poet and a painter, Mr. Winter divides his time between Santa Fe and a small town in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true events of an oil spill that happened in Alaska in 1977, this book is beautiful and powerful and frightening. I think books like this are needed. Kids need to understand the darkness in the world sometimes and this is described lyrically, wonderfully and appropriately for kids to understand. There is no uplifting joyful lesson at the end and I think that's okay. It doesn't read as depressing or scary, but it is a firm warning about the dangers of transporting oil and how human impact other life on this planet. Incredibly well written and beautifully illustrated this is a must read story.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oil by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter. PICTURE BOOK. Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster), 2020. $18. 9781534430778

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In short sentences and brief descriptions, this story moves through oil being pumped out of the ground, transported through the wilderness and loaded into barges. Then the barge hits an iceberg and oil spills out into the ocean, killing much of the sea-life.

I feel a little torn with this book. It represents a very sad and true piece of history, but it also felt very villanizing toward oil production in general. I would have liked a little follow up about how oil is used and what precautions are necessary to be good stewards of the earth.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Kris Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m picturing a carpet full of sobbing six year olds! Or for those you not in a school district like mine that insists on in-person learning in the midst of global health crisis, I’m picturing a screen full of sad little faces!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three star rating for this title is for the lovely illustrations, especially the full page ones and not so much the square ones made to look framed. In m opinion Jeanette Winter’s talent is much more evident when she is not using frames. Having recently read her titles, My Name is Georgia and Diego where she uses square framed illustrations, her full page spread illustrations are great, the others not so much.
Now for the text review which I give two stars. This is a message book in disguise and it is not about oil. While there are a few introductory pages showing the drilling process, this is a title about the Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989. Not once is that stated within the text. Also with the title being just the one word “oil” one expects to learn something about oil. What makes oil? What is the composition of oil? How do companies locate oil deposits? What are the common uses for oil? The uncommon uses of oil the average person would never realize?
Disappointed the good illustrations are paired with an misleading text.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book offer a devastating look at the oil spill caused by the Exxon Valdez. The book begins with the Trans-Alaska Pipeway that carries oil to the ocean. It’s surrounded by wilderness and the animals who live there. The oil is then transferred to ships, and one of the those ships had an accident in the clear water when it ran aground on a reef. From there, the oil spreads, turning the water and waves black, covering the rocks on the shore. Hurting the wildlife who call the place home. People try to help, but even thirty years later so many things are different, changes caused by the destruction of an ecosystem and environment.

The Winter mother-son duo have crafted yet another compelling picture book about a complex nonfiction topic. Jonah’s text uses powerful repeating choruses of “oil” that is almost like a drum beat of emphasis. He uses other techniques of repetition and design that speed or slow the reading of the text very effectively. The book is a mixture of tragedy and a call to action.

Jeanette’s illustrations are in her signature simple style. They work particularly well here to emphasize the impact of the oil spill, steadily covering the pages with seeping blackness. Some pages are left without words, just allowing the reader to soak in the horror of what is happening.

Powerful and tragic, this picture book is an important addition for libraries. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, this mother and son team produces a gorgeous non fiction picture book, this time about the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. Striking somber colors – especially the cover with slick oil spots accentuated by glossy overlay – and simple text expose the basics of the disaster. Focusing on the ecological ramifications, Ms. Winter shows animals on almost every page, which accentuates the unsullied remoteness of the tundra. Readers learn that thirty years after that oil spill, herring and killer whale populations have mostly disappeared from the area and oil is still there. This is an effective portrayal of the event for kids interested in how human error affects ecology. A long informative author’s note adds more to the story, and there is also a bibliography.

The main questions I had were: Why do we need oil? Why were they drilling in the tundra? These were answered partially answered in the author’s note, but I think they are important enough to belong in the body of the book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opening book about oil spills. I only knew of one oil spill which wasn't mentioned in this book, but I sure did learn about the other even more horrible oil spills and the effects it made on the ocean and all the creatures that lived in it or near it. It was so sad to learn how some species died out due to the oil spill and how SO many lost their family members like the killer whales. The killer whales lost almost their whole pod! So devastating. I also didn't realize that in order for ships to transport oil, there are pipes from where the oil is being drilled going allllll the way to the port of where the ship is. That's crazy! That's definitely not great for the environment. It disrupts the creatures' habitat. And what sucks too how how that land used to have many Native Alaskans living on/near it, but because of the oil, their lives got disrupted and you can't really use the land that much if you got giant pipes with oil in them. The world really needs to learn more about oil and how oil spills do such damage to everyone and everything it touches.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dislike books that you cannot really rate because they are books that are emotionally linked to your own feelings, thoughts and biases. These books are personal to you and all I can say is how I feel about it. OIL is a personal book. If you are an environmentalist, you will be all over this book. You will appreciate the theme of showing the dangers of oil consumption and the impact on wildlife. There is no question the author is an alternate fuel supporter. However, if you are someone that drives a big-ol' gas guzzler, well, you are probably going to think this is a lot of hooey; just the price of business. One reason I am giving this a 4 is that I am not a huge fan of the illustrations. I think I would have wanted a more "solid realism" to them and not the almost abstractness of them. Not to say they do not work for the book, or are in anyway "not good," it is just my feeling about them. As I said above, everything about this book is personal. I cannot tell you to like or dislike it. I am not sure how to recommend this book. All I can say is, find a copy and judge for yourself.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the development of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and the 1989 oil spill that occurred when the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William, this picture book for young readers examines the ongoing consequences of this accident on the environment and includes a call to action. The narrative unfolds in descriptive phrases bolstered by evocative illustrations. The "Author's Note" and "Further Reading" list at the end of the book make it a valuable source for student research on this environmental topic.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to how oil is produced and how the pipelines go through what was once Indigenous lands. It also discusses the Exon Valdez disaster that released 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean killing millions of animals and destroying the herring population that Native Americans rely on for food and income. It also touches upon the government's decision to not allow the rescue of many animals because it would make the government look worse than it already did. Back matter talks about other oil disasters. An important topic in today's emotionally charged world.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill disaster. Readers will not know this until the endpapers. Otherwise it reads like a generic account that begins with a free verse feel to straight up prose. The inconsistency makes for a bumpy ride. The Indigenous people are referred to as “Native people”, when they should be specifically referenced as part of the nations in Alaska. This continues to be a blind spot for the Winters in their books.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lyrical book recounts a tragedy that many of us still recall with sadness---the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. The effects on the environment, marine animals, and people who lived in the area are explored in a serious but age-appropriate way. A section in the back explains the oil spill in more detail and reminds us just what a mess it all was. Thirty years later, the ecosystem is still affected and oil remains on the beach.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrative nonfiction account of the Exxon Valdez oil spill introduces young readers to the ecological disaster and the unpreparedness of the human response. The Winters relay the harshness and hopelessness of the event, especially via the illustrations with animals. Author note is direct and to the point, take better care of the earth or we’re all done, which may be disturbing to the youngest readers.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a book for an oil spill-focused STEM program that would feel more mature than Roscoe and the Pelican Rescue, since my group was all 10+, and this fit the bill. While it didn't focus on clean up, it did give a good background of what an oil spill can look like and how animals are affected.

[Abby Corlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oil by Jonah Winter is an eye-opening and powerful book that really stuck with me. The story brings to life the history of the oil industry in America, told through vivid, engaging language and illustrations. I loved how it blends history with a bit of drama and emotion, showing both the promise and the consequences of this powerful resource. It's a great read that encourages reflection on the world we live in. Definitely worth checking out!

[Kate Pendleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was very informational and highlighted the important steps it takes to help during oil spills. However, it becomes very graphic and goes too far into detail for the age it was written for. It covered a very serious topic that is very important to spread awareness towards, but it is not suitable for children. They are not fully capable of fixing the issues addressed, and it seems like it would just stress students out.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully done but haunting account of the Exxon Valdez ship that ran aground in 1989 and spilled 11 million gallons of oil onto 11,000 square miles including 1,300 miles of shoreline. It is a powerful reminder of why taking care of our environment is so important and how devastating the loss and damage can be when we aren't accountable.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oil shows the disastrous effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The note at the end explains why it was so catastrophic. No one really knew what to do to clean it up, and various agencies weren't working together. Sadly, this oil spill dwarfed in comparison to the Deepwater Horizon explosion. We haven't learned enough from these spills to change our relience on oil.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a disturbing book about a disturbing subject--the Exxon Valdez oil spill. People need to know about this, young and old alike. It's a well-written book on a child's level, along with additional material in the back. Let's hope we can be better stewards of our Earth's resources.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book about the Exxon Valdez oil spill has wonderful illustrations. The text does not shy away from the consequences of the spill (such as the thousands of animals that died. May be too dark for younger readers.

[Stacey Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be perfect for our Geo week celebrations, or to support teaching about climate change, environmental disasters, water protection, as well as political discussions around pipelines, the oil industry, alternative energy sources, etc.

[Pam Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

The backmatter of this story is where the information lies that will help children understand the severity of this disaster.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple narrative and powerful illustrations convey the devastation to the environment and wildlife cause by the Exxon Valdez disaster, and its lingering impact.

[Ilse O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative nonfiction highlighting the environmental damage caused by the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, geared toward grades 3-5. But be sure to pair with Carole Lindstrom's We Are Water Protectors.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely chilling.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book biography of the Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1977 and it's lasting impact. Easy to follow with a length afterward about the spill and its consequences. Elementary and up

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and a great primer to the environmental impact on oil consumption.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a picture book about the Exxon Valdez.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it to many of my second graders and they loved it. Most made comparisons to the Titanic. I switched up the words for the part about the dying otters but other than that great read aloud.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great narrative nonfiction that would be useful as a mentor text for a middle-school inquiry.