Snowy White World to Save (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Alex Walton (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It s a headline we all have seen: Global warming is melting the Arctic. Once the Arctic sea ice has vanished, the majestic polar bear, a magnificent creature who needs the sea ice to survive will vanish, too. The ice is home to the bears, as well as to their primary food source, the ringed seal. Polar bears feed, mate, travel, den, and give birth on the ice. Some scientists say polar bears will be extinct within fifty years if something isn t done, and soon.

From the Publisher

From "Points of Light Network", the largest volunteer organization in the world, a wonderful interview with Stephanie Lisa Tara:

"ACROSS THE LAND
OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
THE ICE IS MELTING
OH, WHAT CAN BE DONE?"

1. How did you decide to illustrate the problem of global warming using polar bears in Snowy White World to Save?

I decided on a direct yet gentle approach to inform honestly and respectfully, the metaphor of mother and children comes naturally to me as a mom. As such, I am ever amazed at my daughter's uncanny awareness, children are such smart little sparkly beings. My experience has been that addressing things in truth seems to work in earning their respect. As an author, I like to (write) speak to children on their level and inside a most loving space. I decided to use short lyrical phrasing - 2 poetic beats per line, this gentle cadence and meter softly intuits a quiet truthfulness that seems to resonate on several emotional levels -- " faraway dots are seals on the ice/Mother pounces, once, twice//Mother and cubs run far away, Mothers fierce pride/hot on this day. "

2. Ice caps are melting and glaciers are disappearing. Do you think young children understand what is happening to the Polar Bear's "Snowy White World?" How do you think young readers will react to the polar bear's plight?

I've done many public readings. The amazing response the children have is one of immediate attention, concern and empowerment + hope....traits not always readily forthcoming in adults. Instead of the kids being scared or depressed, I have been overwhelmed by their sheer "let's all fix it" attitude. In large to small reading groups - they all raise their hands and are excited at the prospect of `many small hands together can make a big change'. They call out new ideas to 'lessen the gases' and use smaller amounts of electricity. I have found a serious joyfulness in wanting to help the bears, and be creative in working together and with adults. It's magnificent.

3. The beautiful verses add to the story and compliment the gorgeous watercolor illustrations by Alex Walton. Did you work together with the illustrator to make the story come alive? Do you write all your books in rhyming verse style? Are you also a poet?

Alex and I spoke at various times through out the process, but I must say - the beautiful thing about working with someone who understands how I think is that their artistic expression is symbiotic to mine. That is the magic that manifests with Alex Walton, he read my words and then made them sing without anything more from me than an occasional chat about how we feel about our book. Yes - I use poetic verse to lull, soothe, entertain my little listeners, its a bit of a nod back to an older time when parents and children would spend long hours together reading by firelight. Poetry has a magical ability to be both memorable and pleasing to the ear. I've said that children's verse sticks like taffy to one's thoughts...think back to children's verse you love, it's still stuck in your head, isn't it?

4. The issues of climate change, global warming, disappearing habitats and dwindling food supplies is a big, serious topic for young children. The "birds-eye" view from above of the polar bears on their quest for food is amazing. The search for food ends at a garbage dump. What do you think a young child will take away from the story in regard to this theme?

Children that hear this story have expressed remarkable things, as I've lightly touched upon. They show concern, and a desire to make a change. I have had the occasion where a child has asked: "Why did adults let this happen?" -- a very candid and brilliant question. I love this. It shows deep thinking and awareness. My answers are all mindfully hopeful. People err, people make mistakes. But because we are human we also have the ability to correct our mistakes. This is the truth and it makes sense to kids. Kids are always full of hope. They all want to do all the things we list at the back of the book, and they come up with new ideas to save energy. One little boy said we should create a "polar bear zoo" somewhere in the world - keep it cold and like Noah's Ark - bring all the polar bears of the earth there to live and be saved. Not a dry eye at that library reading! I take away from this comment an overwhelming exuberant feeling, children just never stop believing and hoping and wishing. It's beautiful.

5. The last page of the book gives a hopeful message and some good ideas how everyone can start to fight global warming. What additional ideas would you pass on to families to save the Polar Bears "Snowy White World" -- and their own?

Great folks like you really encapsulate it all, working together to make a change in the world. Kids do care - they know they will inherit the earth. Mother Nature loves her children and I do believe we can reverse the damage. There are many other wonderful people that have written books. lAl Gore recently published a kids' version of Inconvenient Truth . Lori David's Down to Earth Guide to Global Warming is another good book. I simplified what small kids can do, but the list is very long and topping it is learning, awareness, and knowledge. So many good folks -- famous people like Sharon Stone, the actress/activist, have gotten behind this cause along with the United Nations. Getting involved, reading, joining groups like Kids Care Clubs and other organizations such as the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) or Climate Crisis will keep you informed about new ways to continue to make a difference.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Brown Books Publishing Group; Ill edition (September 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933285893
• ISBN-13: 978-1933285894
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 12.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #815,077 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Global warming's effects as shown to children, November 19, 2007

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Diane Snyder

Snowy White World to Save addresses the issue of global warming and the affects on one bear family as their world of ice and snow begins to melt.

In a simple rhyme, the story of a typical day in the polar bear family's life is told but the beauty of their world disappears as the ice melts and food is no longer available. The bears are forced to seek out garbage dumps for things to eat.

This is a beautifully illustrated 10×13 inch book in cool whites, grays and blue colors that projects the pristine world of the Arctic animals. However, the plight of the bear and her cubs are illustrated in a sad and jarring contrast of browns and reds as they forage for food in the human settlement.

If you are a responsible parent interested in the environment, ecology and the future of the earth and if you are trying to instill that interest and responsibility in your children, this is a book that will help. There is a section in the book that gives children a list of the things they can do to help keep our planet healthy and some web site sources for the adults to explore. What a wonderful and gentle way to introduce to our children their responsibility to the earth and its environment.

Stephanie Lisa Tara has garnered literary praise for her previous children's books, and I feel certain Snowy White World to Save will also receive the attention it deserves.

Armchair Interviews says: A children's introduction to global warming.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Exposing Young Kids to Global Warming Problems., December 13, 2007

By	Say No to Plastics "Changing one person at a ... (Earth) - See all my reviews

Doesn't frighten kids but really great at telling very young kids the story of the desperate Polar Bear mother and cubs to find food and their changing world. Also has a page that lets kids be pro-active by just doing small things they can control. The illustration is beautiful and it's a good size book. Great gift for kids and for teachers, Pre-k and Kindergardeners, to help spread the global warming awareness.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snowy White World to Save, November 11, 2007

By	Patricia Obrien "Dibbles review" (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

What a brilliant book for little ones to understand our eco system and what is happening to our climate change and why we must do something about it. Great book.