The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming [Paperback]

Laurie David (Author), Cambria Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

From the producer of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH comes a powerful, kid-friendly, and engaging book that will get kids get interested in the environment!

Irreverent and entertaining, DOWN TO EARTH is filled with fact about global warming and its disastrous consequences, loads of photos and illustrations, as well as suggestions for how kids can help combat global warming in their homes, schools, and communities. Engagingly designed, DOWN TO EARTH will educate and empower, leaving readers with the knowledge they need to understand this problem and a sense of hope to inspire them into action.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Kirkus Best Book of 2007 A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2007 (Children’s Nonfiction) A Rocky Mountain News Best Children’s Book of 2007 Green Earth Book Award Winner (Non-Fiction Category) A CCBC Choices Selection 2008  2008 Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature 2009 California Readers Collection

“I’ve never seen such a comprehensive explanation of the [global warming] phenomenon in so few words.”
—    The New York Times Book Review
(Reviewed by Hank Green, editor-in-chief of EcoGeek.org)

“The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming…brings knotty matters
down to manageable scope for youngsters ages 8 and up.” Metropolitan Home Magazine

“It’s easy being green with Laurie David and Cambria Gordon’s informative book, which helps kids understand what’s happening to our environment.”
—    Parents Magazine

“Funny and full of tips, the book informs—and empowers—kids and adults alike.”
— Family Circle

“The heart of the book is in making the concept of global warming understandable for your kids.”
— http://www.dailygreen.com

“Four well-organized sections define the issue and give examples of consequences in the physical world, extinctions in the animal world and what young people can do. A humorous tone, eye-catching graphics and celebrity connections lend pizzazz to this volume, but there is plenty of substance, too.”
— Kirkus, starred review

“Dynamic layouts and abundant illustrations and photos enliven the passionate words—lush, full-bleed photographs emphasize the high stakes by portraying both the splendor of the natural world and the devastating effects of climate change. Printed in soy ink on recycled paper, this engaging and accessible guide, ideal as a gift or book-club option, inspires commitment to the planet.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

LAURIE DAVID is devoted to stopping global warming. She founded the Stop Global Warming Virtual March and has produced several projects that aim to bring global warming to public attention, including the TBS Earth to America! comedy special, the HBO documentary Too Hot Not to Handle, and Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. She was voted Glamour's Woman of the Year for 2006. Laurie lives with her husband and their two daughters in Los Angeles, California.

Cambria is a former award-winning advertising copywriter. She has written articles for Boys Life, Parenting, and the Los Angeles Times magazine. Cambria speaks to children all over the country about reducing their carbon footprint. She sits on the Los Angeles Leadership Council of the Natural Resources Defense Council and lives with her husband and three children in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439024943
• ISBN-13: 978-0439024945
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even the reviews are making us think!, October 6, 2007

By 

P. Simonds "free thinker" (Boise, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming (Paperback)

I can't help noticing that reviews of this book mirror the controversy surrounding this topic. And that's a good thing. (I also can't help noticing what feels like a coordinated attack based on a single technical error, as if that discredited the fundamental science behind this book's premise, which no serious scientist doubts.) In my household, this wonderfully written, funny, accessible and very important book has led to lots of healthy discussions about our world -- and our own household. Suddenly my kids -- 10 and 7 -- are talking and thinking about electricity and water usage, recycling, gas mileage, thermostat settings, and even the great outdoors itself, in ways they never did before. I'm glad this book has people talking, because, as the book points out, the solutions to this problem will make us stronger as a people, and there's much more danger in doing -- or saying -- nothing.

63 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Incorrect Critical Charts, September 28, 2007

By 

J. S. Green - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming (Paperback)

Readers should be aware that the the first editions of this book contain a chart (page 18 ) of the past 650,000 years that shows that CO2 emissions rose BEFORE global temperatures. In fact, the chart is reversed - CO2 emissions did rise, but only hundreds (in some cases thousands) of years AFTER temperature rises. For some reason the chart lines are backwards.

Scholastic is planning to issue a revised version with an updated chart, but there will be no revision to the text of the book, which references and explains the chart. I don't know that most kids will notice that the chart does not support the argument, but an important subject like this should be accurate in all details.

With such inaccuracies I do not recommend the book. Explain global warming to your children yourself - and be sure and use accurate information!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very pleased with vendor and book, March 21, 2010

By 

Beth C "Beth" (Springfield, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming (Paperback)

book arrived well within promised time and in perfect condition. Great book to explain a complex subject to kids (and adults)