When the World Runs Dry: Earth's Water in Crisis
by Nancy F. Castaldo

When the World Runs Dry: Earth’s Water in Crisis opens with an examination of water pollution due to lead, coal production, fracking, pesticides, fertilizer, sewage, pharmaceuticals, and harmful bacteria. Some of these factors such as lead contamination have received extensive news coverage. Some less. Case in point: In 2003 scientists discovered more than three-quarters of Chesapeake Bay smallmouth-bass had female egg cells growing inside male reproductive organs. The fish were ingesting synthetic estrogen found in waterways. Basic information is supported with photographs, case studies, quotations, personal accounts, background, call out boxes, political implications, a variety of examples from around the globe, and financial details.

Companion Titles

Monarch Butterflies:
​Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World 
by Ann Hobbie art by Olga Baumert

Monarch Butterflies offers young readers an in depth look at these "winged wonders of the world."  Hobbie doesn't shy away from using precise vocabulary. Spiracles, maxillary palps, cremaster, and proboscis are some of the terms which are accompanied by enlarged illustrations and succinct paragraphs. Baumert's detailed illustrations present up-close inspection of these insects' anatomy, life cycle, and habitats. The author devotes a considerable number of pages to ecological patterns, monarch conservation, symbiotic relationships, and caring for the environment. Readers will find information on caring for butterflies, a Glossary, links to educator guides, topics for additional research, and Day of the Dead celebrations.

Señorita Mariposa
​by Ben Gundersheimer art by Macos Almada Rivero

Artfully composed couplets trace the journey of Señorita Mariposa. Mimicking the butterfly's flight, text in English and Spanish are intertwined. Initially, English, the language spoken in the continent where the flight originates, appears first. Each phrase is followed by a Spanish translation. ​Midflight, the format changes. At the poem's conclusion each line of poetry is displayed first in Spanish, followed by an English translation. Supporting matter includes a map tracing the migratory path from Canada to Mexico, an Author's Note, and a link to Gundersheimer's Mariposa Project website. Rivero's joyful illustrations are awash with color, smiling animals, children with a variety of skin tones, and a wide-eyed monarch butterfly with fancy eyelashes.

Moth & Butterfly: Ta-Da!
​by Dev Petty art by Ana Aranda

Petty takes readers into the worlds of two flying insects that have obvious similarities as well as distinct differences. And that's a good thing. Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da! makes clear that both insect classifications are fascinating subjects for investigation. Aranda uses a riot of color. Butterfly emerges from the chrysalis with an explosion of bright yellow and pink. Moth pops from the cocoon in shades of beige and blue. The effect is stunning. The final page lists identifying characteristics for moths and butterflies. ​ Bonus: The end papers are stunning. I wish that I could purchase prints of these bold graphic designs.

The Children’s Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy art by Jim LaMarche

It’s not often that you will find a picture book that is a literary gem brimming with sparkling personality,  folktale-like mythology, poetic language, luminous art, and a STEM component. Deedy's enchanting storytelling and LaMarche's exquisite illustrations combine to tell a wondrous origin tale. Text consists of a dialog between the moon and the sun. As the moon rises, she hears a noise "like the daintiest of silver bells" and wonders what makes that sweet music. The sun informs her that the sound is made by children. Moon laments that she is unable to see the children and they cannot see her. Is there a way for her to see the children? Sun adamantly retorts that this is not possible. ​The day is mine. ​The night is yours.

AstroNuts Mission Three: The Perfect Planet
by Jon Scieszka art by Steven Weinberg

The foursome learn that a million years ago earth was ecologically balanced. It was The Perfect Planet. They reason that if humans are responsible for the current conditions on earth, maybe another species should be in charge. That brings them to Survival of the Fittest Olympics which pits wolves against humans. The winners will be the dominant species and the losers will be pets for the winners. Humans are confident that they will win with hydropower, wind power, solar power, and geothermal power. That's a lot of power. This science-based series is jam-packed with wild and crazy exploits. The narrative is replete with word play, silliness, wolfish trash talk and poop jokes.  It felt like doing long division with a mirror, underwater. Stink Bug, as always, got a bit nervous and accidentally unleashed his superpower PFFT (Posterior Foul Force) Gas Defense System.

Code Breaker, Spy Hunter:
​How Elizebeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars
by Laurie Wallmark art by Brooke Smart narrated by Romy Nordlinger

Wallmark’s thoroughly researched picture book biography Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizabeth Friendman Changed the Course of Two World Wars, spotlights the achievements of one woman in the evolving science of cryptography. Elizebeth began her work during World War I as a cryptanalyst for the Army Signal Corps. In addition to decoding wartime communications, she and her husband developed the first government unit devoted to cryptology. She also worked for the Army, Coast Guard, FBI, and the Office of Strategic Services, later to become the CIA. Her expertise resulted in the conviction of thirty-three German spies during World War II. Elizebeth identified the woman responsible for the secret “doll” messages that revealed the location of wartime ships She and her team also cracked the Enigma Code developed by Germany.

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More True Stories of Amazing Women

Listening to the Stars: Jocelyn Bell Burnell Discovers Pulsars
She Made History Series
by Jodie Parachini art by Alexandra Badiu

From her childhood, Jocelyn was particularly interested in the stars. By the time that she was fifteen she had set her sights on becoming an astronomer. As a graduate student she helped construct the first radio telescope and went on to identify the first four neutron stars. The 1974 Noble Prize awarded for this discovery mentioned only two men. She was not included as a prize recipient. Parachini emphasizes the numerous contributions Bell Burnell has made to astrophysics and of her efforts to support women pursuing scientific research. In 2018 Jocelyn used her three-million-dollar Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics to create a fund for young women to study astronomy.

Women Who Changed Our World

Mars is Stark Slopes, Silvery Snow, and Startling Surprises by Suzanne Slade

On August 12, 2005 NASA launched the Atlas V rocket, carrying the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) equipped with a remarkable camera. Seven months later the MRO was orbiting Mars. Soon its camera began sending photos back to earth. The photos are astounding. Magnified images reveal Mars’ surface in detail showing rock layers, sand dunes, canyons, craters, volcanoes, and lava flows. The landscape changes continually. For example, the planet’s two polar ice caps are composed of dry ice. In spring, cracks begin to form in the ice, allowing gases to bubble up to the surface.

Hear the Wind Blow by Doe Boyle ill by Emily Paik

Lyrical text, expressive illustration, and the science of weather are beautifully blended in Hear the Wind Blow, a picture book describing the wind. Beginning at dawn, when all is calm, with just a "kiss of air," the text progresses throughout the day as later a breeze sends leaves "scuttling in the gutter." Evidence of the approaching storm can also be observed when ocean waves begin cresting. The narrative climaxes when hurricane force winds batter a community and a family must take shelter. The denouement describes the storm’s devastating effects. Individuals move outdoors and neighbors work together to clean up and repair damage. Wires droop, and tree roots shudder- ​the world's atilt, without a rudder. Boyle's reassuring text makes clear that the storm will pass. But a warning embedded in the verses emphasizes the importance of responding to signs which signal potentially extreme weather.

Weather Spotting

The National Weather Service invites interested individuals to become weather spotters. Students may be interested in creating a school-wide initiative to identify and catalogue local weather patterns.  Charting and reporting on weather conditions could be an interesting activity.

The Popper Penguin Rescue by Eliot Schrefer

The penguins are back! Countless generations have loved Florence and Richard Atwater's Mr. Popper's Penguins. Awarded a Newbery Honor in 1939, this classic is a staple in home, school, classroom, and public libraries. Like many readers, I hoped that the story would go on and speculated about what would become of Captain Cook, Greta, and their droll offspring. My wish has been granted. Award-winning author Eliot Schrefer continues the penguin saga with contemporary sensibilities while retaining the charm of the original. Years after Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake established a penguin colony in the Arctic, a Popper descendant and her children move into the old Penguin Pavilion located in a neighboring Stillwater community. The kids, Nina and Joel, explore the basement and discover two eggs. The decision to take the eggs to school does not turn out well. Nina's egg cracks during a spelling quiz and a playground bully steals Joel's egg. Despite the difficulties and with a touch of Atwater-like magic, the long-forgotten penguin eggs hatch.

Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

Meet a most unlikely pair. Gnu and Shrew sit together on the banks of a crocodile infested river. Gnu shares a secret with his friend: a cave filled with diamonds is on the other side of this very wide and deep river. Gnu dreams of someday obtaining the diamonds. With wealth from these gems he could get his own Ferris wheel or perhaps a golden bicycle. As he imagines the possibilities, the bespectacled Shrew sets to work, figuring out how to cross the river. Gnu’s musings spark Shrew's thought processes. For example a revolving wheel has a possible practical application for a paddleboat design.

It will come as no surprise that Shrew's skill and hard work pay off.  He obtains the diamonds and sets off to travel around the world. Success is his. But what will become of Gnu? Schmitzlein gives this tale of perseverance and friendship a happy ending. The final page offers a hint to the happily-ever-after for this twosome. Hurrah for Gnu and Shrew. ​

A word about the illustrations. Sandu restricts the main color palette to deep yellow and complementary turquoise This color scheme accents the contrasting natures of the two protagonists. The cover features Gnu dreamily gazing at a butterfly while Shrew, tongue sticking out, is concentrating on the workings of a lightbulb. However, the animals are not drawn to scale. Similar sizes suggest that each character is equally important.

Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

Meet the gnu. This member of the antelope family is native to Africa. The horned animals with shaggy manes and tails are very strong and can run up to 50 miles per hour. Their main predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Often gnus that attempt to cross a river are attacked and eaten by crocodiles. The gnu is also known as a wildebeest. Note: The "g" is not voiced. It might be interesting to discover other words that begin with "gn." Hint: gnat, gnome and gnaw are three common words.

Shrews are tiny mole-like animals with long noses and very sharp, spiky teeth. They have small eyes and cannot see well but have excellent senses of hearing and smell. They are very active and need to eat constantly. A shrew can consume from one half to two times its body weight each day! Shrews are venomous. The venom is stored within grooves in the shrew's teeth. There are 385 different species of shrews. They can be found throughout the world.

The Power of Bold Ideas

What new dreams might be imagined? What dedicated individuals will make those dreams a reality?