How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming [Paperback]

Lynne Cherry (Author), Gary Braasch (Author), David Sobel (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2010 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

When the weather changes daily, how do we really know that Earth's climate is changing? Here is the science behind the headlines - evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world, sometimes with assistance from young "citizen-scientists." And here is what young people, and their families and teachers, can do to learn about climate change and take action. Climate change is a critical and timely topic of deep concern, here told in an age-appropriate manner, with clarity and hope. Kids can make a difference!

This book combines the talents of two uniquely qualified authors: Lynne Cherry, the leading children's environmental writer/illustrator and author of The Great Kapok Tree, and Gary Braasch, award-winning photojournalist and author of Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming is Changing the World.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 4–8—Cherry and Braasch introduce readers to scientists around the world whose research contributes to an understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming. They also describe the work of citizen scientists, including children, whose observations contribute to knowledge about important changes that are occurring. Studies range from documenting bloom dates of trees and flowers to extracting mud cores from the ocean floor. Small color photographs show the fieldwork and experiments of scientists and students. Even though many findings indicate a grim outlook for plant and animal life, including humans, if the current trends continue, the authors consistently note ways in which students can have a positive impact by making personal choices and influencing public policy. A concluding spread identifies the more than 40 scientists mentioned in the text. The book's wide-ranging exploration of scientific studies and the encouragement to people of every age to become citizen scientists and active participants for change make this a valuable purchase.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Veteran science writer Cherry and award-winning photographer Braasch team up to make climate change less frightening by showing children how to empower themselves as “citizen scientists.” Cherry begins with a no-nonsense chapter about hypotheses and theories, facts versus belief. She goes on to explain how observation can help bring about climate-change strategies; the information about children involved with Project Budburst is particulary interesting. Along the way, there are examples of how nature is changing—from migrations to melting icecaps to rising coastlines—and how these changes have been observed. The second section, “Fitting the Clues Together,” considers what scientists do with their information and notes successes that have been achieved (for example, species saved and reduction of carbon footprints) and ways kids can help reduce energy. The can-do emphasis helps to make the topic less depressing, and the intriguing color photographs are thoughtful and upbeat. Many scientists were called upon during the writing of this book, and it shows. Grades 4-7. --Ilene Cooper --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 66 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Publications (CA) (March 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584691301
• ISBN-13: 978-1584691303
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 10.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Environment & Ecology
  • #52 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Weather
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diseases

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource for Children and Teachers, March 21, 2008

By 

Patricia Muller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming (About Our Changing Climate) (Hardcover)

In a unique partnership, photojournalist Gary Braasch, and children's author Lynne Cherry have teamed up to fill a gap in the myriad of books coming out about global warming. This book focuses on students as a vital part of the research teams assisting scientists in documenting the changes in our environment. The book is a pleasure to read with all its beautiful pictures and clearly explained concepts.

The first section of the book is about where clues about climate change are found. Students are featured gathering data about migrating birds and butterflies, the changing of the seasons, water quality and flow, tree growth, plant diversity and range, and frog populations. Clues are explained such as tree rings, levels of carbon dioxide, changes in penguin and polar bear habitats, melting glaciers, rising ocean levels, and information gathered from mud and ice samples.

In the second section, the focus is on the interconnectivity of all life. Hypotheses are presented with graphs and other visuals to explain some of the effects we are already seeing and those thought to be on the way. Throughout the book, kids are introduced to the scientists doing the research.

The third section is about what kids and scientists can do together to both gather data and mitigate the effects of global warming. Projects are featured along with their teachers and students. Concrete suggestions are presented on how to reduce your carbon "footprint" or impact on the environment. The power of one voice is shown with political action and environmental advocacy. The book is one of hope about such a serious topic.

The resource section contains internet sites and books for further reading for the topics presented. A teacher's guide is available for order.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs throughout, April 4, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming (About Our Changing Climate) (Hardcover)

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming is a nonfiction science book for young people about a hot-button modern issue. Written with the assistance of top scientists in the field, How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate goes into depth on climate science. Though How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate is lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs throughout, its meticulous attention to detail and mere quantity of text is well beyond that of an ordinary picturebook, making it best suited for young adults teenagers, and even curious adults. "Ornithologists were finding that birds were arriving earlier and changing their range - the places animals or plants can be found year after year... But why, they wondered, were these changes happening?" Of particular interest is the final "What You - and a Million Kids - Can Do" section, which lists positive ways kids can help the environment and reduce their carbon footprint, such as recycling, using compact fluorescents instead of light bulbs, minimizing use of appliances and unplugging those not needed, eating less meat, buying less, and getting involved in the community. Highly recommended especially for public and school library collections.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an AAAS top pick for 2008, December 19, 2008

By 

R. Myers (San Diego, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming (About Our Changing Climate) (Hardcover)

b.elsewhere,

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), publisher of the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science, strongly disagrees with your opinion. The AAAS just released its list of top science books for children and teens, and this book was on it.

See http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-12/aaft-aat120508.php

A book that's good enough for the AAAS is good enough for any kid interested in science. I'm ordering this one for my niece.