The Australian climate change book by Polly Marsden. Illus. by Chris Nixon

Polly Marsden and Chris Nixon, author and Illustrator of the 2020 release The Bushfire Book: How to Be Aware and Prepare, have collaborated to produce The Australian Climate Change Book, an excellent resource for younger readers. Climate change is predominant in the media and school children today are more environmentally aware than ever before. For students of all ages the simpler the explanation, the easier it is for them to grasp the concept. The thoughtful text and beautifully drawn images are presented in a picture book that will provide both teachers and parents with a valuable tool which answers the simple questions children may have.  The book begins by asking the reader if they can balance. The response is: “I can if everything around me is just right”. It then goes onto explain how the earth is constantly doing a balancing act to keep its ecosystems connected. The explanation of how our climate is changing too fast for our ecosystems to adapt, leads the reader to a growing understanding of climate change.  They are introduced to the causes of climate change and the effects on our Australian weather which then affects our precious habitats for plants, animals and human beings. The final pages of the book provide hope for the reader and share knowledge of what experts around the world are doing to try to stem climate change. There is important information for children on what they can do to help which is also reinforced on a pull-out poster that can be placed on the wall as a reminder. The last page gives further information on where you can go to search for more about this very significant problem.  

A very worthwhile resource for home, school and public libraries.

Themes: Australia, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Solutions.

Kathryn Beilby