Our kids hear a lot of talk about climate change and about endangered species and about taking care of our planet. We all get bits and pieces of important issues. This picture book biography of David Attenborough, follows the life of David as a boy as he begins to notice the natural world around him. That's a very important design for the book and for the listeners who are fortunate enough to hear the book read to them because David's awakening mirrors our own children beginning to notice the natural world around them... or not.
David discovers and the more he discovers the more he wants to discover. What a lovely idea and inspiration for all of us. Turns out there are... wait for it...8.7 million TYPES of animals on our planet. Jaw-dropping number there and humans are one type of the 8.7 million and each of us is one person in that enormous club of animals who live on Earth.
David Attenborough explored our natural world, the plants, the animals, the rocks, and he was fascinated by it. When he grew up he started making films about the world he saw and he "became our connection to the natural world." Isn't that wonderful? Look at the difference one human could make.
In this biography our children can go along and discover, maybe even for the first time, a sloth in the rain forest of South America or a gorilla in the mountains of Africa. This book will take them there. They will explore and they will discover.
Until... we get to the place where David Attenborough discovers something else.
This story is a beautiful journey that invites our children to meet the natural world near to them and the natural world that covers our entire planet. It is delivered in steps so our children and understand it and come to appreciate what they see. What's not cool about gorillas in the mountains of Africa?
As they follow the life of this great man, they gather the value of nature and when they turn the page and learn we are losing it - our natural world - they will realize this is their world and their nature and their planet.
Brilliantly laid out for each child to absorb and connect with, this is a first-rate picture book biography that celebrates this wonderful human being, David Attenborough, and the natural world he explored and loved so deeply. A must-purchase.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
48 pages 978-0593618097 Ages 7-10
Keywords: picture book biography, environment, ecosystems, ecology, role of the individual, power of the individual, our connection with nature, 7 year old, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, nature, science, Science Curriculum, wildlife, conservation, activist, Earth, environmental stewardship
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An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough—stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree.
As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of show: He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people.
But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do?
This is the story of David Attenborough. It’s also the story of our planet, which has changed rapidly over the course of one person’s lifetime, and a clarion call for us to do our part to bring back the wild places and protect the creatures who call Earth home.---from the publisher
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"If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us." --David Attenborough
Simply stunning! Illustrations by John Rocco are stellar and among the best artwork found in children's books. The earth captured in colored pencil and digital paint open this amazing story of the most important voice in saving wild places for generations to come, for our children, our grandchildren and their grandchildren.
When David Attenborough was a young boy, two-thirds of the planet was filled with wild places. David explored fossils and rocks around his home. Later he went to university to study wild animals and the places they live. Television was just gaining popularity, and David had an idea to do a show about animals. He traveled far and wide, showing viewers gorillas in Africa, penguins on icebergs, wild animals in the South American rain forests and everywhere else animals lived. Millions of viewers tuned in.
Much to David's dismay, as time passed, humans began destroying natural places, building cities and skyscrapers. He sought out scientists and climate experts around the world. He sounded the first alarm to make wild places wild again. He insisted humans begin to use new ways to power their cities. Attenborough was intent on stopping overfishing in the oceans to help marine life and was an early advocate for eating less meat. Meat production takes many acres to raise the beef, lamb, and poultry and ruins the land. David insisted we replant trees to save our environment.
The most powerful voice in ecology and natural sciences, David Attenborough brought saving our planet to the forefront of every political discussion worldwide. He believed, "If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us."
The hit series "Life on Earth" had 500 million people watching it and learning about ecology and activism. The Author's Note, bibliography, and information of how to help change the destruction of wild places as well as huge problems we face as humans if we don't change are included. If everyone does their part, Attenborough is sure our planet will thrive.
So highly, highly recommended and a must-have, must read, *Wild Places* is an obvious frontrunner for numerous literary awards this year.
Grades 2 and up.
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Recommended by: Thompson McLeod (Pamela), blogger, reviewer, literary intern, writer. lifelong YA librarian. Florida USA
See more of her recommendations: http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/
