Oceans of plastic by Tracey Gray

Aquatic scientist and environmental science teacher, Tracey Gray, has written a very important book about the earth’s oceans, the crucial role they play in our lives and the damage being done to them through our usage of plastic. This very appealing and strikingly presented book contains glossy pages in tones of blues, greens and purples, filled with stunning photographs, labelled diagrams and graphic style images.

The book begins with the contents page followed by a thought-provoking introduction, a page on how to use the book and ten interesting and varied chapters beginning with Chapter One discussing the role of our oceans, and the final Chapter looking at action for our oceans. The detailed information is accessible for children from middle grade through to high school readers, as well as the adults in their lives. In addition to the factual content, through the clever use of well-presented diagrams, the reader is given visualise explanations of scientific occurrences such as the water cycle, gravitational spin, ocean gyres, and the ocean currents.

As the reader delves further into the chapters on plastic, the information shared is quite alarming. The page titled ‘Can you outlive your lunchbox?’ is a wakeup call for all school children and their families. Common food items such as chip packets, squeezy yoghurts and muesli bar wrappers will take over 100+ years to break down. The final chapter gives manageable ideas and recommendations for ways in which all readers can make a difference to the wellbeing of the ocean. This is followed by further online sources, a comprehensive glossary, and an index. Teacher's notes are available.

 Oceans of Plastic is a wonderful resource that will be a worthwhile addition to any school, both primary and secondary, or public library. 

Themes: Global Issues, Oceans, Plastic, Sea Creatures.

Kathryn Beilby