Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World - Softcover

Thomas, Keltie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0228100216 ISBN 13: 9780228100218

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2018

Synopsis

2019 Silver Birch Non-fiction Honour Book

"This is an important book but we don't have time for its young readers to replace those in power. So read this book and then give grown-ups hell and demand something be done. It's your future that's at stake."
-- David Suzuki

The Earth's oceans are on the rise. Since 1900, global sea levels have risen steadily each year to a global average of about 8 inches (20cm) today, and they're still rising. By 2100, the sea could climb as much as 14 feet (4.3m) to 32 feet (9.75m).

Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World gives youth an eye-popping view of what the Earth might look like under the rising and falling water levels of climate change. Photographs juxtapose the present-day with that same area's projected future. The shocking images will help them understand the urgency for action. Key issues in today's news will be better understood, such as the 2015 Paris Protocol in which the world agreed to limit temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius (ideally 1.5 degree).

About this title

About the Author

Keltie Thomas is the author of Do Fish Fart? and How Hockey Works, as well as many other highly acclaimed children's books nominated for several awards. Most recently, Do Fish Fart? won the Award of Merit from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

Belle Wuthrich is an illustrator designer living in Vancouver, Canada. Her work is featured in numerous books for younger readers.

Kath Boake W. is an illustrator and fine artist whose work appeared in Owl magazine for 20 years. Her digital adaptations of our changing world appear in Rising Seas.

Review

After poring over this book's pages, I am much more informed... The design is appealing, the tone of the text conversational, and the statistics alarming. The visuals often astound. It leaves interested readers with much to consider. (Sal's Fiction Addiction 2018-03-22)

Discussions of climate change are often nonspecific and abstract. This accessible call to action focuses on particular regions of the world that have been or may be impacted by rising sea levels. Thomas begins with a straightforward explanation of why sea levels are rising, describing the impact of carbon emissions in the atmosphere leading to warming water, which expands. Melting glaciers and ice sheets are also culprits in the rise of sea levels, she explains. Digitally rendered photo illustrations depict hypothetical flooding--the Statue of Liberty appears waist-deep in seawater; the Gateway to India monument is flooded from Mumbai Harbor; and a future Miami Beach is inundated. The eye-catching images may come across as dramatized worst-case-scenarios, yet the photographs of areas that are already facing damaging floods underscore the true potential for destruction. End pages offer 10 steps readers can take to help combat global warming, including reducing water usage, eating less
meat, and recycling. (Publishers Weekly 2018-03-19)

Climate change is a reality that we all face and it's important that kids know what it's all about... This book provides a stunning view of Earth's rising oceans... The use of photograph, that juxtapose current images with the projected future view of the same area provides a shocking message. Readers will come away with a better understanding of the urgency of the issue and the need for action. (Jane Muller City Parent 2018-04-30)

Through vibrant color photographs, maps, and illustrations, readers will see the beauty of each threatened country and what it has to lose... Thomas incorporates easy-to-understand context regarding sea level rise and how everyone can do their part to help reverse this threatening trend. Those who want to learn more, check out the list of books, websites, and even a movie in the back of the book. This is one title that should be found in every library. (Linda Sweitzer Linda's Little Lit Reviews 2018-04-01)

A brief explanation of why seas levels are rising, how fast they are rising, and a map depicting 'watery hotspots' is followed by an explanation of sea level rise around the world. Photo illustrations present what each place might look like as the sea rises and what it looks like now. This is an eye-opening glimpse at the worldwide impact of rising temperatures. (Myra Zarnowski School Library Journal 2018-08-01)

Impactful photo illustrations show cities submerged, the water level measured against iconic landmarks like New York's Statue of Liberty and the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Clear graphics also help readers, ideally ages nine to 13, understand what's causing oceans to rise and how the water and carbon cycles work. If this sounds a little heavy for the holidays, don't despair: there's a list of 10 things kids can do to make a difference--the ideal summer vacation to-do list. (Raina Delisle Hakai Magazine 2018-06-26)

Climate change book recommendation... This book gives children visuals and information of how rising sea levels could affect cities and communities across the globe. (CBC News 2019-09-27)

This book gives youth a view of what the earth might look like under the rising and falling water levels of climate change. Shocking images will help readers understand the urgency for action and better understand today's environmental issues. (The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books f 2018-09-01)

This primer on climate change is loaded with information about why our oceans are rising, what it has to do with soaring global temperatures, and the ways in which certain places--from Miami to Kiribati to Antarctica--are literally drowning. Pumping out straightforward facts, this book doesn't offer any cheerful prognoses. Most tweens, however, already know that swift, strong climate action is required of them--and this book's back matter suggests 10 ways to make a difference. (Lela Nargi Sierra Club 2018-08-27)

The first few pages of this book describe the impact that water has on shaping our planet (rivers, streams, glaciers, oceans, etc.). It also explains the reasons for the gradual rise in ocean levels and identifies some of the coastal communities that are most at risk for flooding. The author then highlights 15 geographic locations (Miami Beach, Nova Scotia, Mumbai, etc.) and illustrates how the populations there will be impacted by the continued rising of sea water levels. The book concludes with examples of actions that students and their families can take to reduce carbon emissions. Illustrated with photographs and cartoon style drawings, this book presents information in a clear and concise manner. It uses a wide variety of text features including colour coding and speech bubbles. (Brenda Boreham Canadian Teacher Magazine 2018-09-01)

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0228100216
• ISBN 13: 9780228100218
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Wuthrich Belle, W. Kath Boake