Plastic Sucks!: How You Can Reduce Single-Use Plastic and Save Our Planet

by Dougie Poynter

How can YOU help save our planet? This awesome and inspiring guide, written by musician and environmental activist Dougie Poynter, will tell you how to get involved in the mission to cut out single-use plastic.

Plastic is everywhere and it sucks. It fills up our oceans, endangers our wildlife and never goes away. So it's time to take action, find ways to cut down our plastic use, and help protect our environment. Together we can make a difference!

From the history of plastic to the effects of plastic on our planet to the innovations in plastic clean up and alternative materials, this book breaks down the plastic problem into easy digestible chapters (including "What's Going On", "Innovations in Cleanup," and "How to Create Change") that are packed with illustrations. And this isn't just a history of what's gone wrong with our environment; it's a handbook on how to change the world for better, empowering you to make everyday choices that help solve the plastic problem once and for all.

Plastic Sucks! How YOU Can Reduce Single-Use Plastic and Save Our Planet shows us how we can all make small changes and become champions for our planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Conservation, Childrens

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2019

About the author

Dougie Poynter has been obsessed with dinosaurs ever since visiting the Natural History Museum when he was about three. He is passionate about the natural world and a keen conservationist, working with charities such as WWF and Greenpeace to get harmful products banned and to clean up the planet.

Dougie wrote songs together with Tom Fletcher for years in bands McFly and McBusted; they now write their bestselling Dinosaur that Pooped books in the same way that they write their song lyrics. The books have sold over a million copies!

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a very clear mission: inform, spread the word, and convince people that we all can do something to reduce plastic pollution. There are plenty of infographics and expert interviews with ecologists and activists to provide great examples, and inspire further action. My favourite parts of this book are'swaps'- practical examples of what can be done in everyday life to substitute products made of plastic with other, eco-friendly materials.
Finally, I like the way the author acknowledges that these incremental changes to our lifestyle may not be easy, and we may not manage to do them every day. Every contribution, however little, counts and helps to save our planet.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher (Feiwel & Friends) for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although pitched to a young audience, this how-to guide toward saving the planet has plenty of tips for adults to follow as well. Written by a musician and activist whose idol is David Attenborough, the book provides a brief history of plastic, reminders that plastic has many positive uses, but that plastic seems to have taken over our world and filled the oceans. Even shampoo and soap may contain micro-beads of plastic. Shockingly, plastic has been found in the most remote corners of the world where no humans live, a fact that should certainly alarm those that care about the planet. The book is organized into bite-size chunks of information and offers suggestions for what each of us can do to cut down on our use of plastic. Instead of buying individual bottled water, why not purchase and reuse a different type of container or wrap sandwiches in beeswax wraps instead of plastic? The author shares his journey toward heightened awareness on this topic as well as the inspiring stories of others who are taking small and large steps to make a difference in the world around them. I liked the large type face and the use of green colors throughout the book as well as the plentiful illustrations. Readers who have no clue where to get started can find suggestions in the "Bathroom Swaps" on pages 72-73. Others may be shocked to learn that it takes 450 years for a disposable diaper, something often found on the beach, to decompose. Throughout the book, the author offers gentle encouragement to change but offers reassurance that even the smallest acts are important. Each of the individuals profiled here tell about their own efforts to avoid plastic and their involvement in this movement to reduce single-use plastic. Some even share a bit about their career paths, their favorite animals, and favorite part of the planet. Like me, many readers will feel empowered and hopeful after finishing the book. The next step is to put into practice some of the suggestions to find substitutes for plastic.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dougie introduces kids to the effects of plastics in our environment and it’s history. Very well explained as it is broken down into elements that most will easily understand. This book is so timely now with more and more kids are speaking out about global warming and to push adults to make changes. My county has put into law no more plastic bags, which I was so happy about!
Great source to be used by teachers and parents. My suggestion is that Dougie makes another book for adults.
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my volunteer review.

[KMM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt so much with this book! It provides simple facts about plastic, plastic pollution and it introduces amazing people that work tirelessly for making the world a cleaner and better place. Most important, this book is a reminder about the power of individual actions. Lots of useful resources to go to and expand your learning.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction book is filled with approachable vibrant colors and graphics all about the impact plastics have on our environment and what we can do about it. Geared towards kids but can be shared across all age groups.

[Lex K · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you had the opportunity to help stop plastic from polluting the environment, would you do it? Some people might recognize the problem but aren’t willing to do anything about it, or where to start. It can be as simple as just throwing away recyclables, every little thing can help. Dougie Ponter uses examples of others along with his own experiences to help influence others. Within Plastic SUCKS! Poynter gives the reader tries to inform on how to change the world for the better, and empower us to make everyday choices that help solve the plastic problem once and for all.
Poynter wants to help the earth in any way he can and inspire people to join him in his effort. As much as he wants to help, however; he can’t do it all by himself. Which is why he wrote this book to help show people that everyone has a role to help, and even one person doing a small thing can help the earth become better and make a difference. An example of this is when Poynter shares the idea that, “You can do something as small as cutting plastic bottles out of your daily routine” (68). This piece of the text shares a relation to the theme because there are billions of people on the earth and if everyone were to do one thing small or big can have an impact all around on the earth. Everyone has a chance to help make a difference.
Because of this inspirational outlook upon plastic and how we can help our earth become better, Poynter’s book is recommended to people that have interests in world pollution, plastic pollution, and any reader who enjoys a book with inspirational messages. If you enjoy this book, you may also like An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore, another inspiring book on how to help our planet. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is very inspiring. The author uses his knowledge among others knowledge to get across the point that the world needs help. He grabs readers and listeners attention, and, through this book and intriguing reports of his experience in the plant saving life, he continues to influence others to take care of the planet we live in today and help future generations that will live in the near future.

[Mesa Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You can make a difference.” That’s the compelling message from the author of this book. Dougie Poynter, a musician who is dedicated to cleaning up the planet, is enthusiastic in his encouragement to help others make even the smallest changes toward ridding the world of plastic pollution. This book grabbed me with its bright infographics and dynamic, eye-catching illustrations. Even though it’s geared toward elementary age kids, there’s terrific information for everyone. A number of people who are helping to clean up our planet are interviewed. Not just activists and scientists, real people who have taken individual actions and have made a difference. My favorite part of this book is the section on simple swaps you can make in your life to reduce the use of plastic. Not only does the author inform without lecturing, but he also supplies manageable, concrete actions you can take to make the planet a healthier place.
-Michele S.

[Eleanor Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m an elementary school librarian and a not so perfect environmental advocate. This book, illustrated by the author, was fun and informative. Poynter’s style of scattering brief bits of info makes for an eye-appealing format for young readers (Grades 4 and up). Chock full of magazine type interviews with environmental activists and entrepreneurs, tips on how to use less plastic, and captivating infographics make this a great read. I will definitely include this title in a book talk for for my older students.

[Candance Doerr-Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this book would provide more practice-changing suggestions for reducing plastic usage. There were some, but there were many more interviews with experts and entrepreneurs creating companies related to plastics and water conservation. Perhaps this interview content will be of more interest to younger readers who are trying to think about their future career paths and how they can make a difference.

[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to sustainability for children!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the format of this book. It has a lot of cool graphics and text features and a great use of color. It was also nice to have a book that didn't just talk about why plastic was bad, but also about what you should do to stop using so much single use plastic. There were a few too many interviews for me, but my students loved looking at the infographic that talked about how long it takes for certain forms of plastic to decompose.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree 100% with the title plastic sucks! I try to omit plastic in my daily life. No straws, plastic bags, or plastic wrap used in my home.

[Sallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very well written. I liked how there was a mix of infographics along with chapters. It was easy for the child to understand, and I really enjoyed how it was put together.

Thank you Edelweiss+ for a digital ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.