What a waste - rubbish, recycling and protecting our planet by Jess French

Dorling Kindersley, 2019. ISBN: 9780241366912.
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Subjects: Recycling, Pollution, Conservation. Vet and author Jess French introduces this thought-provoking information book What a Waste with 'humans are now producing more waste than ever before and our planet is suffering'. She presents a challenge: 'the power to make a positive change is in our hands.'
Presented with current facts, figures, graphic representations, photographs, dialogue boxes in the vibrant DK style, many environmental issues are explored. Did you know '92% of the world's people are breathing polluted air?' Discover why we need forests and learn about the threat to the orangutan population with the loss of their habitat. Deforestation and land clearing are major problems with 15 billion trees cut down each year.
The site of 'The Great Pacific Garbage Patch' in the north Pacific Ocean contains plastic rubbish that weighs as much as 500 jumbo jets. Simple but effective solutions are shown as well to reduce plastic in the ocean: take three for the sea by removing rubbish on beach visits, organise your own clean-ups and join in International Coastal Clean-up Day.
Each spread includes clearly defined explanations, questions and ways children, students, families and communities can assist in recycling, reducing waste and protecting our environment. E-waste, food waste, water waste and industrial waste are key areas of concern. Bold statements and facts presented as percentages, eg. 45% of lettuce in the UK is thrown out, provide interesting talking points for environmental science lessons.
What a waste is another visually outstanding DK information book which presents current environmental concerns and shows how people are developing solutions, giving hope for the future. Jess French encourages us all, including younger readers to speak up, be a plastic-free family and make positive changes.
Rhyllis Bignell