A Planet Full of Plastic: and how you can help

By Author / Illustrator

Neal Layton

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Hachette Children's Group

ISBN

9781526361738

Format

Hardback

Published

27-06-2019

Synopsis

Everything is made of stuff. Some things are made of paper, like this book. And some things are made of PLASTIC. If you look around you, plastic is everywhere. Even in places where it's not meant to be. If it drops to the ground, it doesn't rot away - it sticks around for ever.

Our world is drowning in plastic, and it's a big problem. Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to explain where plastic comes from, why it doesn't biodegrade, and why that's dangerous for animals and humans alike. But he's also FULL of ideas for how you can help! From giving up straws in juice cartons to recycling all we can and taking part in a beach clean, A Planet Full of Plastic will get young readers excited about how they can make a difference to keep Planet Earth happy.

This brilliant non-fiction picture book, illustrated in Neal's trademark collage style, is perfect for readers aged 5-7 who love nature and want to help the environment.

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Reviews

After reading this we ended up doing a beach clean-up! A fantastic book, one of my favourite non-fictions so far. My son (5 years old) was fascinated by every word, picture, and fact in this book.

This informative text, coupled with the Neal Layton's trademark mixed-media collages, are guaranteed to engage children in a topic that is ever relevant in today's world. The book teaches children that everything is made of stuff and that 150 years ago plastic was invented: a revolutionary discovery that changed the world that we live in.

The book takes a welcome and balanced stance on such an invention highlighting the advantages of plastics and opens a reader's eyes to just how much stuff is made out of plastic nowadays. This is not simply a rant at how we should not be using plastic but offers solutions and practical ideas on ways to reduce consumption and recycle such materials. It goes on to educate children on the term 'biodegradable' and the long-term effects of plastic on a planet, causing readers to look inwardly and reflect upon their own lifestyles.

I think coupled with an assemble led by SAS (Surfers Against Sewerage), a short video documentary and a whole class beach clean-up, this book could play a part in a huge culture change within a class or even a school for both children and adults.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to every child from age 5 to 10. It packs the right amount of information into the book but not too much for shorter attention spans. It doesn't sugarcoat the facts but also delivers information with an empathetic tone. A brilliant book!