Beetles for Breakfast, and Other Weird and Wonderful Ways to Save the Planet

by Madeleine Finaly, Jisu Choi (Illustrator)

We all know the effects that climate change and global warming are having on our planet - but what we don't all know is some of the strange, and often bizarre ways scientists are working to find practical and imaginative answers to these big problems.

Following a day in the life of an average child, we see how some of these futuristic inventions could fit into everyday life: from brushing your teeth with biodegradable algae, to eating beetle burgers for lunch and coming home to do your homework with a pen containing ink made from exhaust fumes. With a mixture of abstract, infographic-style artwork and topical, funny and expertly-researched facts, children will love seeing familiar scenes with a futuristic twist, teaching them all about the cool, exciting and sometimes quite strange inventions that could be commonplace in the not-so-distant future.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Science

80 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[anežka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Čtu dětské knihy? Ano. Proč? Proč ne.

Skvělá kniha pro dospívající o tom, jak vést udržitelnější život. Ať už jde o plýtvání vodou nebo cvrčky k večeři. Co ale na knize miluju jsou ilustrace. Baví mě ilustrace typu Where is Waldo - detailní, přeplněné, kdy pokaždé objevíte něco nového. Na příkladech je také skvěle vidět, že tempo technologického vývoje a snahy se bohužel odvíjí od toho, kdo tahá za kratší konec provazu.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Climate change activists, this one is for you! In engaging language, appealing design and super fun art, this browsable book offer everyday solutions to put into practice now, as well as ideas that are in the scientific pipeline, and technology and inventions that require the next generation of innovators to work on.

Chapters are divided by familiar places, such as the breakfast table, the farm, or home. A futuristic scene composed of all the ideas to be covered in the chapter starts off the chapter, and then the chapter contents goes on to explain all of the ideas and how they work, or could work, in tomorrow’s green world. Readers will marvel at the ideas for ecological substitutes for fuel, packaging, food, energy for heating and cooling, transportation, housing and more. And, boy, are there so many uses for poop, human and otherwise! I was intrigued by all of the ideas in so many different industries and occupations, and readers will undoubtedly find a way to connect with something they can do or want to learn about in the future.

The art is amazing – the details and perspective in the bird-eye-views of the futuristic world are great fun to pore over. South Korean artist Jisu Choi’s illustrations are in themselves a reason to pick up the book. Colors pop off the page, and give vibrant life to the technology and inventions offered up in the text.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a variety of different inventions, technologies, and ideas that people have come up with to combat global warming and climate change. Can be read straight through or by picking an area (food, bathroom, city, school, park, farm, beach, or home) that you're interested in. I learned a lot! I'm so glad scientists, researchers, and others are looking into really innovative ways to preserve our planet. I wish there was more than just 2 pages of more practical suggestions that kids can implement at home.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oversized, fact-filled browseable nonfiction featuring futuristic looks at places kids commonly visit – like the breakfast table and the bathroom – along with environmentally helpful technological innovations improving those spaces. Tons of weird STEM connections in here plus some solid vocab-building around environmental activism. Should be a huge hit in 4th - 6th grade classrooms, in particular.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is full of interesting ways scientists are trying to save our planet. Some ideas are a bit gross, but others have really made me wonder what is in store for our planet. The format of the book is very enjoyable and easy to read. I would 100% recommend that book.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are really beautiful and pretty and the facts in the book are also very interesting.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this over-sized illustrated book about alternatives to fossil fuels and other ways to fuel the planet - very bright illustrations


I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.