The Story of Conservation: A first book about protecting nature

By Author / Illustrator

Catherine Barr, Amy Husband, Steve Williams

Genre

Environment

Age range(s)

Publisher

Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd

ISBN

9780711278035

Format

Hardback

Published

02-08-2023

Synopsis

This fascinating and beautifully illustrated book spans the complete length and breadth of the topic of conservation, which is more important today than ever before. Combining history with science, this deeply insightful book charts the changes in our understanding and relationship with conservation, from the beginnings of the planet when humans didn't consider their impact on their surroundings, to the modern world and what we can do to protect our natural resources today.

Earth's natural resources include air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife. Conservation is the care and protection of these resources so that they can persist for future generations. It includes maintaining diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems, as well as functions of the environment, such as nutrient cycling. As well as discovering the effects conservation could have across the world, this book will help you discover practical ways we can work together to help protect our resources for our future generations.

With fact-packed text by Catherine Barr and vibrant illustrations by Amy Husband, this next title in the best-selling Story of... series is all about shifting attitudes to our natural world and will give children the information they need to inspire them to protect our precious planet.

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Reviews

A beautifully illustrated book with a very important message. The Story of Conservation is all about how to protect our world and the natural environment that fills it. It starts by describing the landscape during prehistoric times when dinosaurs died out and humans began to inhabit it, using resources from the natural world to survive. The timeline shows how human life has changed and the way we use natural resources has evolved over time as practises like hunting and farming have changed the way we live.

Each page has lovely illustrations to depict these changes and there's a handy timeline tag at the bottom of each one to show the point of history it's referring to. The book talks about how people started to understand the importance of protecting nature in 1870s but that they were largely ignored because of their status in society. It goes on to describe how as time has passed, scientists have learnt more about how to protect our planet and the sheer importance of changing the way we live.

Not only does the book shine a light on the importance of changing our global habits, it also gives great examples of problems that are being faced all over the world in lots of different countries. This will really help children to develop their global understanding of climate change and hopefully ignite something inside them to want to do their bit to help. It also has a great glossary at the end of the book to explain any difficult terminology covered in the book.

40 pages / Reviewed by Lucy Hopkins, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

The Story of Conservation is a beautifully illustrated first introduction to how humans have and continue to impact the environment, both positive and negative. Simple explanatory text is coupled with rich and lively illustrations that will appeal to children, accompanied at times with comedic speech bubbles.

The authors, Catherine Barr and Steve Williams, cover many aspects of the topic, running a timeline from cave people to the modern day. Encompassing the impact of the Industrial Revolution as well as the displacement of indigenous people, it approaches the subject matter concisely, leaving room for further discussion. Along with scientists' attempts to stall the onslaught of global warming and pollution, the book also discusses protests and conservation solutions, challenging the reader at the end to join in and make a difference.

Amy Husband's illustrations are delightful throughout and enhance the text, making it easier for children to understand the content. Every page is filled with details, animals and nature, with humans' impact starkly obvious.

This book is one of a series made in collaboration by this author and illustrator, making it ideal for schools and libraries, not only for the information and opportunities for learning and discussion, but as a connective tissue for similar topics pertinent to our world today. Recommended.

40 pages / Reviewed by Lorraine Ansell, school librarian