Orca Footprints

Every day more of the world's forests disappear. Trees are cleared for agriculture, lost in wildfires and harvested for the valuable products they supply. Called the lungs of the planet, forests play a critical role in climate moderation. What happens when they're gone? Are replanting and afforestation efforts helping? In “If A Tree Falls: The Global Impact of Deforestation”, author Nikki Tate gives an accessible and balanced look at forest practices throughout history, the growth of industry and the fight for preservation. Global deforestation affects us all. Find out what you can do to protect forests today and keep them healthy for future generations.

Plants, animals, insects and fish are moving in. Invasive species threaten local ecosystems and the planet's biodiversity, but are they all as bad as we think they are? In Nature Out of Balance: How Invasive Species Are Changing the Planet author Merrie-Ellen Wilcox, profiles all-star invasive species around the world, starting in her own neighborhood, and warns that humans are the most invasive species of all. We find out how and why species become invasive, what we can do to stop their spread and whether it's time to think differently about invasive species that are here to stay.

Did you know that lamps can be powered by glowing bacteria instead of electricity? That gloves designed like gecko feet let people climb straight up glass walls? Or, that kids are finding ways to make compostable plastic out of banana peels? Biomimicry, the scientific term for when we learn from and copy nature, is a revolutionary way to look, to nature for answers to environmental problems, such as, climate change. In Design Like Nature, young readers discover innovations and inventions inspired by the environment. Nature runs the entire planet with no waste and no pollution. Can humans learn to do this too? It's time to step outside and start designing like nature.

Do you know your watershed address? We all have one, whether we live high up in a mountain, on an inland prairie or near the coast. A watershed is an area of land that channels rain and snowmelt into streams, rivers and oceans. Our lives are deeply, intertwined with land and water, and all the connections between them. Day-to-day activities-like brushing our teeth, eating a meal, getting a ride in a car or even using an electronic device-have consequence for our own or someone else's watershed. Over the centuries, we've changed the land by farming it, cutting down the trees on it, digging into it and building on it. We've also, learned how to control water-where it goes and how much flows. Upstream, Downstream explores the consequences of the pressures people place on watersheds and highlights some of the heroes making a difference for watersheds around world.

Fashion can be fun, but it can also hurt people, animals and the planet. Fashion Forward: Striving for Sustainable Style goes behind the glitz and glamour to explore the social and environmental issues within the fashion industry. It looks at the history of fashion, from why humans started wearing clothes to the birth of consumerism to the explosion of fast fashion and fashion's footprint. The book introduces readers to the innovative people, companies and organizations that are taking positive action on fashion. Kids will discover how to make ethical choices and become fashion heroes for the future. There are easy ways we can help transform the fashion industry and still look stylish at the same time!

Traffic. It's not only frustrating, it's hurting the planet. Emissions from cars, buses, trucks and planes are one of the leading causes of pollution in North America. Today there are more cars clogging the roads than ever before. In “Rush Hour”, learn how traffic got so bad and some of the innovative ways it's being managed around the world. Discover what technological advances like talking cars and electric buses will mean for the future of traffic. Even though they can't drive yet, kids need to take control of the wheel. From walking to school, to carpooling with friends or petitioning the government, the next generation of drivers has to think differently about traffic and understand what they can do now to help protect the environment. And it starts with changing our habits, one less car ride at a time.

The sounds of nature are being drowned out by the clamor of human activity, and that's not good for people, animals or the environment. Every living thing emits sound-birds sing, whales whistle, streams burble and trees pop and fizzle. In Listen Up, young readers are introduced to all the sounds of the natural world, from the first Big Bang to the complex soundscapes of the rainforests. Readers will also discover how the invasion of human sounds, from airplanes, traffic and machines, is threatening the survival of species that have adapted to their habitats over thousands of years. Conserving the sounds of nature is an important part of addressing the biggest challenges facing humanity today-protecting the planet's biodiversity and the future of our natural world.

What can archaeology and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge tell us about how our marine environments have changed over time and the effects of climate change? From harvesting herring eggs to hunting humpback whales, humans have had a relationship with the world's oceans for more than 100,000 years. In Dig Deep: Connecting Archaeology, Oceans and Us, young readers unearth what our ancestors left behind at archaeological sites around the world and examine how tools, campsites, fishing technologies and even garbage can show us how our ancestors lived and how they used the ocean. These discoveries can unearth clues to help keep our oceans healthier today and in the future.

Light pollution threatens the survival of every living species on our planet, including people. It started when Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb more than 150 years ago. Then, as electric light became more common, light pollution began to take over cities and towns. Today, in urban centers all over the world, the stars in the sky aren't visible. Millions of people have never seen the Milky Way. In Saving the Night, we discover how plants and animals have adapted over millions of years to survive and thrive in the dark, and how artificial light can upset the balance of entire ecosystems. But there are ways we can take back the night for animals, plants and us. It starts with the flick of a switch.

Litter is not only an eyesore but a serious threat to animals and their habitats. We can all work together to keep the planet healthy and clean. Did you know that gum on the sidewalk is litter? Even a banana peel that is thrown in a ditch is litter. Trash poses a threat to animals everywhere, including pets, farm animals and wildlife. They can get injured or trapped in the litter and even eat garbage that makes them sick. In Too Much Trash: How Litter Is Hurting Animals, we discover how garbage ends up everywhere-from city streets and the wilderness to farmland and the ocean. But there's good news: litter is a problem everyone can help prevent. Around the world, kids and adults are finding ways to take out the trash. Find out how you can help clean up the planet for all species.

All over the world, people are joining the low-waste movement and getting tough on their trash. Maybe you've heard the reports of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch swirling in the ocean. Maybe you've seen the photos of whales and sea birds with trash in their bellies. Or maybe you've heard that only 9 percent of our plastic waste actually gets recycled. We can all do our part for the planet by creating less garbage. In Less Is More young readers will discover how to avoid waste in the first place, reduce how much they use and reuse what they can, before they recycle and rot (compost) the rest. With small, simple actions we can become part of the circular economy. Find out how you can join the low-waste movement-and get your friends and family on board too!

All over the world, people are joining the low-waste movement and getting tough on their trash. Maybe you've heard the reports of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch swirling in the ocean. Maybe you've seen the photos of whales and sea birds with trash in their bellies. Or maybe you've heard that only 9 percent of our plastic waste actually gets recycled. We can all do our part for the planet by creating less garbage. In Less Is More young readers will discover how to avoid waste in the first place, reduce how much they use and reuse what they can, before they recycle and rot (compost) the rest. With small, simple actions we can become part of the circular economy. Find out how you can join the low-waste movement-and get your friends and family on board too!

Microbes are tiny but mighty, and they're everywhere! When left alone, microbes such as bacteria, fungi and algae are experts at adapting, surviving and thriving under extreme and constantly changing conditions. These natural problem solvers can help fight the climate crisis by gobbling up pollutants, breaking down plastic, generating clean energy and capturing carbon. By harnessing the power of microbes, we can create eco-friendly packaging, farm-free food, and even make it easier to live in space! Microbes to the Rescue will introduce young readers to life on a microscopic level and explore how bacteria, fungi and algae play a key role in the connection between all life on Earth. Let's get microscopic and learn about how microbes can create a cleaner and more sustainable future. Key Selling Points: • This book explores current and future ways that microbes can be used to help tackle big environmental challenges facing the planet. There's increasing interest in exploring their potential to make the world more sustainable. • This STEAM title includes basic science concepts explained in an age-appropriate manner on topics such as carbon capture, photosynthesis, genetic engineering and the effects of the climate crisis. • Includes step-by-step instructions for microbial activities for young readers such as growing mycelium, baking focaccia and composting. • The book provides young readers with hope for the future while still conveying the negative consequences of pollution and the climate crisis. • Author Yolanda Ridge has a master's degree in science and a proven ability to distill complex scientific ideas for this age group. She has written several middle-grade nonfiction titles on everything from evolution to genetics. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book explores how microbes can help address some of the most pressing environmental challenges on Earth. Yolanda Ridge is the author of three other juvenile nonfiction titles, What Poo Can Do: How Animals are Fighting the Climate Crisis (Orca Book Publishers, 2024) Evolution Under Pressure: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us (Annick, 2023) and CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA (Annick, 2020). She's also written several middle-grade novels, including two environment-themed titles for Orca Young Readers. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable, a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. She lives in Rossland, British Columbia. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Let's get microscopic! Microbes are tiny but mighty, and they're everywhere! Bacteria, fungi and algae are natural problem solvers that can help our planet by gobbling up pollutants, breaking down plastic and generating clean energy. With the power of microbes, we can clean polluted water, create eco-friendly packaging and even make it easier to live in space. Let's get under the microscope and explore how microbes play a key role in the connection between all life on Earth and a more sustainable future. Let's get microscopic!

Microbes are tiny but mighty, and they're everywhere! When left alone, microbes such as bacteria, fungi and algae are experts at adapting, surviving and thriving under extreme and constantly changing conditions. These natural problem solvers can help fight the climate crisis by gobbling up pollutants, breaking down plastic, generating clean energy and capturing carbon. By harnessing the power of microbes, we can create eco-friendly packaging, farm-free food, and even make it easier to live in space! Microbes to the Rescue will introduce young readers to life on a microscopic level and explore how bacteria, fungi and algae play a key role in the connection between all life on Earth. Let's get microscopic and learn about how microbes can create a cleaner and more sustainable future. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible. Key Selling Points: • This book explores current and future ways that microbes can be used to help tackle big environmental challenges facing the planet. There's increasing interest in exploring their potential to make the world more sustainable. • This STEAM title includes basic science concepts explained in an age-appropriate manner on topics such as carbon capture, photosynthesis, genetic engineering and the effects of the climate crisis. • Includes step-by-step instructions for microbial activities for young readers such as growing mycelium, baking focaccia and composting. • The book provides young readers with hope for the future while still conveying the negative consequences of pollution and the climate crisis. • Author Yolanda Ridge has a master's degree in science and a proven ability to distill complex scientific ideas for this age group. She has written several middle-grade nonfiction titles on everything from evolution to genetics. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book explores how microbes can help address some of the most pressing environmental challenges on Earth. Yolanda Ridge is the author of three other juvenile nonfiction titles, What Poo Can Do: How Animals are Fighting the Climate Crisis (Orca Book Publishers, 2024) Evolution Under Pressure: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us (Annick, 2023) and CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA (Annick, 2020). She's also written several middle-grade novels, including two environment-themed titles for Orca Young Readers. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable, a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. She lives in Rossland, British Columbia. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Let's get microscopic! Microbes are tiny but mighty, and they're everywhere! Bacteria, fungi and algae are natural problem solvers that can help our planet by gobbling up pollutants, breaking down plastic and generating clean energy. With the power of microbes, we can clean polluted water, create eco-friendly packaging and even make it easier to live in space. Let's get under the microscope and explore how microbes play a key role in the connection between all life on Earth and a more sustainable future. Let's get microscopic!

This nonfiction book for middle-grade readers, illustrated with photographs throughout, explores how animals are fighting the climate crisis by pooping. Discover the power of poo! We all know animals are affected by the climate crisis. But did you know the climate crisis is also affected by animals? From whales to dung beetles, What Poo Can Do explores how animals big and small are helping the planet every time they do a number two. Come on a journey to different parts of the world to see how animals are fertilizing plants, storing carbon, preventing fires, reducing methane and even creating color-coded maps-all through their feces! Readers will discover how animal defecation makes a difference when it comes to the climate crisis. It's time to embrace the power of poo! Key Selling Points • It's a deep dive into how animal poop helps the planet and a unique approach to looking at the most important topic of today: the climate crisis. • The book includes basic scientific concepts explained in a simple manner and explores topics such as climate change, habitat destruction, biodiversity and ecosystem science. • What Poo Can Do inspires kids to get involved in fighting the climate crisis with specific examples of things they can do to make a difference. • The author has published several scientific nonfiction books for kids. She holds an MSc and works as a clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Yolanda Ridge is the author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including Evolution Interrupted: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us, CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA and Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable, a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. Yolanda lives in Rossland, British Columbia.

This nonfiction book for middle-grade readers, illustrated with photographs throughout, explores how animals are fighting the climate crisis by pooping. Discover the power of poo! We all know animals are affected by the climate crisis. But did you know the climate crisis is also affected by animals? From whales to dung beetles, What Poo Can Do explores how animals big and small are helping the planet every time they do a number two. Come on a journey to different parts of the world to see how animals are fertilizing plants, storing carbon, preventing fires, reducing methane and even creating color-coded maps-all through their feces! Readers will discover how animal defecation makes a difference when it comes to the climate crisis. It's time to embrace the power of poo! Key Selling Points • It's a deep dive into how animal poop helps the planet and a unique approach to looking at the most important topic of today: the climate crisis. • The book includes basic scientific concepts explained in a simple manner and explores topics such as climate change, habitat destruction, biodiversity and ecosystem science. • What Poo Can Do inspires kids to get involved in fighting the climate crisis with specific examples of things they can do to make a difference. • The author has published several scientific nonfiction books for kids. She holds an MSc and works as a clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Yolanda Ridge is the author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including Evolution Interrupted: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us, CRISPR: A Powerful Way to Change DNA and Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable, a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. Yolanda lives in Rossland, British Columbia.

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book examines the connection between humans and nature, why that connection is important and what we can learn from being outdoors. Illustrated with photographs throughout. Back to nature We know spending time in nature is good for us, but why? And how did people become so disconnected from the natural world, anyway? Get Outside! How Humans Connect with Nature explores the important relationship between people and nature. It asks big questions, like Are humans part of nature or separate from it? and Do all people have equal access to nature? By discussing global issues such as the climate crisis and environmental racism, the book shows us that, by strengthening our relationship with the natural world, we can learn how to take care of the environment and to let the environment take care of us too. Key Selling Points • This STEM book defines nature, why it's good for us, how access to nature isn't equal, how nature is viewed around the world, ideas for reconnecting with nature and, finally, how we can learn from nature. • It addresses topical themes, including climate change, environmental racism, Indigenous knowledge of nature, extreme heat, urban tree coverage and inequality in access to nature. • Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have found solace in spending time in nature, and outdoor activities are surging in popularity. For example, people visited parks more often, went camping and hiking, and took up birding. • The book provides fun ideas and actions young people can take to reconnect with nature in their everyday lives (like nature-based hobbies or ideas for outdoor projects). • The author regularly writes about conservation, sustainability and the environment. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action.

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book examines the importance of seeds to all living things, the threats they face and why we have to preserve and conserve seeds for the future. Illustrated with photographs throughout. Small but mighty Learn about the importance of seeds and how saving and conserving them for the future is key to sustaining healthy life on the planet. Seeds are essential to all life on the planet. They provide us with food, clothing and other materials we need and use every day. Without seeds, the planet wouldn't have as many species of plants as we do now. Without plants, there wouldn't be oxygen to breathe and there would be less food for all life on Earth. But today seeds are under threat, mostly from human activity. The climate crisis and food insecurity mean protecting our seeds is more important than ever. In Save Our Seeds, young readers will hear from experts in the field and learn how to take action to preserve seeds for the future. Key Selling Points • Learning about the importance of seeds and how to save and conserve them for the future is imperative to sustaining healthy life on the planet. • Introduces young readers to STEM concepts, such as pollination, biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, food security, the climate crisis, GMO food and genetic engineering. • Gives young readers the practical tools to take action to save seeds in their own lives and communities. • The author is a certified master gardener and works with various gardening organizations in Alberta. She has a background in horticulture and urban agriculture and has written a number of nonfiction books for adults and kids. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action.

Better Together explores how people gather in groups of all kinds to fulfill the basic human need for companionship. From the smallest units of parents, siblings and friends to global organizations that try to build on a foundation of common human experience to meet their goals, people working together are a powerful force for change. Too often, we look at someone and see all the ways we are different. People all around the world come together to build things, teach and entertain each other, and provide everything from better health care to good food to security and education. Better Together examines the many ways we are the same, no matter where we live.

All the food you eat, whether it's an apple or a steak or a chocolate-coated cricket, has a story. Let's Eat uncovers the secret lives of our groceries, exploring alternative-and sometimes bizarre-farm technology and touring gardens up high on corporate rooftops and down low in military-style bunkers beneath city streets. Packed with interesting and sometimes startling facts on agriculture around the world, Let's Eat reveals everything from the size of the biggest farm in the world to how many pesticides are in a single grape to which insect people prefer to eat.

Until a few hundred years ago, people were embarrassed to buy bread in a store. Families took pride in making almost everything they owned. These days, many people take pride in buying as much as possible! New clothes, a speedier bicycle, the latest phone. If we've got money, someone can sell us a product that will supposedly make our lives better. But each year, humanity uses resources equivalent to nearly one and a half Earths, and we're still not meeting everyone's needs. Around the world, people are questioning consumerism, leaning toward more sustainable lifestyles and creating a whole new concept of wealth. What if you could meet all your needs while getting to know your neighbors and protecting the environment at the same time? Find out how growing a tiny cabbage can fight poverty, how a few dollars can help ten families start their own businesses and how running errands for a neighbor can help you learn to become a bike mechanic-for free!

Most of us see trees every day, and too often we take them for granted. Trees provide us with everything from food, fuel and shelter to oxygen and filtered water. Deep Roots celebrates the central role trees play in our lives, no matter where we live. Each chapter in Deep Roots focuses on a basic element-water, air, fire and earth-and explores the many ways in which we need trees to keep our planet healthy and livable. From making rain to producing fruit to feeding fish, trees play an integral role in maintaining vibrant ecosystems all over the world. Facts about trees and hands-on activities throughout help readers discover ways to get to know our giant neighbors better.

There are almost eight billion people alive today. Having that many people in the world puts pressure on both social and natural resources, and we have to ask ourselves difficult questions like, What is our fair share? And how do we share more equitably? Ours to Share starts by giving an overview of human population growth, from the time when there were only a few hundred thousand people until now. The book goes on to examine some of the inequities that happen between people when natural and social resources are stressed and provides examples of people who have found innovative ways to share more equitably with their neighbors. The book also examines the impact our expanding population has had on other species. Finally, the book offers suggestions for actions kids can take to better the world from their own home, school and community.

Dirt is essential to life on Earth. Farmers grow food crops, such as wheat, barley and corn, in soil. We mine the soil for resources that we use in manufacturing and for fuel. Soil is used in the construction of roads and buildings, and it provides food and habitat for animals that live both underground and above ground. But soil can be easily destroyed by human activity and natural disasters. Pollution, deforestation and the effects of the climate crisis are damaging soil at an alarming rate. Explore the biological and economic importance of soil to living organisms, the threats it faces and why we must preserve and conserve soil for the future. Let's dig in and get the dirt on soil. Praise for Sheryl Normandeau: "Exploring seeds more broadly than most children's books on the topic, this volume encourages readers to collect, plant, and share seeds-a small, yet powerful resource."-Booklist review for Save Our Seeds "Normandeau conversationally provides readers with amazing facts and ways to utilize what they learned, including steps everyone can take to save seeds. Readers will be left empowered to help protect seeds."-Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) review for Save Our Seeds Key Selling Points • This STEM title defines soil, why it's important (agriculture, extraction, nature and habitat, medicine, carbon sequestration, filters groundwater etc.), the threats it's facing (pesticides, erosion, climate change etc.) and what we can all do to protect it for the future. • It deals with timely themes including pollution, deforestation, climate change, carbon sinks, food security, conservation and protection, biodiversity, ecosystem services, environmental stewardship, severe weather, and the effects of industry and economy. • Makes soil relatable to kids by discussing the role it plays in conserving the Earth's history, and what archaeologists and paleontologists can learn by digging in the dirt. • Introduces kids to practical things they can do preserve soil, starting with planting a garden. • Sheryl Normandeau is a certified master gardener and works with various gardening organizations in Alberta. She's the author of Saving Our Seeds, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, also in the Footprints series. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book explores the importance of soil to all life on Earth and how we can conserve it for the future. Sheryl Normandeau is a lifelong gardener and holds a Prairie Horticulture Certificate and a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate. She is a freelance writer specializing in gardening writing, with hundreds of articles published. Sheryl is a regular contributor to Herb Quarterly, Gardener for Canadian Climates and Prairie Garden, and she is the author of Save Our Seeds: Protecting Plants for the Future and The Little Prairie Book of Berries. She also works at the public library. Sheryl lives in Calgary. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Get Your Hands Dirty!

Dirt is essential to life on Earth. Farmers grow food crops, such as wheat, barley and corn, in soil. We mine the soil for resources that we use in manufacturing and for fuel. Soil is used in the construction of roads and buildings, and it provides food and habitat for animals that live both underground and above ground. But soil can be easily destroyed by human activity and natural disasters. Pollution, deforestation and the effects of the climate crisis are damaging soil at an alarming rate. Explore the biological and economic importance of soil to living organisms, the threats it faces and why we must preserve and conserve soil for the future. Let's dig in and get the dirt on soil. Praise for Sheryl Normandeau: "Exploring seeds more broadly than most children's books on the topic, this volume encourages readers to collect, plant, and share seeds-a small, yet powerful resource."-Booklist review for Save Our Seeds "Normandeau conversationally provides readers with amazing facts and ways to utilize what they learned, including steps everyone can take to save seeds. Readers will be left empowered to help protect seeds."-Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) review for Save Our Seeds Key Selling Points • This STEM title defines soil, why it's important (agriculture, extraction, nature and habitat, medicine, carbon sequestration, filters groundwater etc.), the threats it's facing (pesticides, erosion, climate change etc.) and what we can all do to protect it for the future. • It deals with timely themes including pollution, deforestation, climate change, carbon sinks, food security, conservation and protection, biodiversity, ecosystem services, environmental stewardship, severe weather, and the effects of industry and economy. • Makes soil relatable to kids by discussing the role it plays in conserving the Earth's history, and what archaeologists and paleontologists can learn by digging in the dirt. • Introduces kids to practical things they can do preserve soil, starting with planting a garden. • Sheryl Normandeau is a certified master gardener and works with various gardening organizations in Alberta. She's the author of Saving Our Seeds, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, also in the Footprints series. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book explores the importance of soil to all life on Earth and how we can conserve it for the future. Sheryl Normandeau is a lifelong gardener and holds a Prairie Horticulture Certificate and a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate. She is a freelance writer specializing in gardening writing, with hundreds of articles published. Sheryl is a regular contributor to Herb Quarterly, Gardener for Canadian Climates and Prairie Garden, and she is the author of Save Our Seeds: Protecting Plants for the Future and The Little Prairie Book of Berries. She also works at the public library. Sheryl lives in Calgary. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Get Your Hands Dirty!

Going wild. We don't see it as a good thing. And why would we? For most of our time on earth, humanity has been running from lions and other wilderness dangers. We've worked hard to make our local landscapes as safe and convenient as possible. Sometimes that's meant paving over areas that might burst into weeds. Other times, we've dammed rivers for electricity or irrigation. But now pollution, climate change and disruptions to the water cycle are affecting the world in ways we never anticipated. What if the new key to making our lives safer (and even healthier) is to allow the wilderness back into our cities?

We're all connected to the ocean, and the ocean to us. The ocean provides half the oxygen we breathe; it feeds us, creates our weather and provides us with water. But we haven't been as kind to the ocean in return. The problems are many: pollution, overfishing, rising seas and acid waters. What can be done? Don't despair; take action. Dive In! explores our intimate connection with the ocean and provides every reader with an achievable set of actions that can help improve ocean health for our sake and the sake of the millions of marine plants and animals that share the planet with us. Filled with colorful photos and positive stories, Dive In! is as informative as it is inspirational.

Humans have always generated garbage, whether it's a chewed-on bone or a broken cell phone. Our landfills are overflowing, but with some creative thinking, stuff we once threw away can become a collection of valuable resources just waiting to be harvested. Trash Talk digs deep into the history of garbage, from Minoan trash pits to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and uncovers some of the many innovative ways people all over the world are dealing with waste.

Did you know that cars can run on french-fry grease or that human poop can be used to provide power to classrooms? Kids in Mexico help light up their houses by playing soccer, and in the Philippines, pop-bottle skylights are improving the quality of life for thousands of families. Brilliant! is about what happens when you harness the power of imagination and innovation: the world changes for the better! Full of examples of unusual (and often peculiar) power sources, Brilliant! encourages kids to look around for new and sustainable ways to light up the world.

Whether they live alone or together, in a hive or in a hole in the ground, bees do some of the most important work on the planet: pollinating plants. What's the Buzz? celebrates the magic of bees-from swarming to dancing to making honey-and encourages readers to do their part to keep the hives alive. All over the world, bee colonies are dwindling, but everyone can do something to help save the bees, from buying local honey to growing a bee-friendly garden.

Pedal It! celebrates the humble bicycle-from the very first boneshakers to the sleek racing bikes of today, from handlebars to spokes to gear sprockets-and shows you why and how bikes can make the world a better place. Not only can bikes be used to power computers and generators, they can also reduce pollution, promote wellness and get a package across a crowded city-fast! Informative but not didactic, Pedal It! encourages young readers to be part of the joy of cycling.

Kids all over the world help collect seeds, weed gardens, milk goats and herd ducks. From a balcony garden with pots of lettuce to a farm with hundreds of cows, kids can pitch in to bring the best and freshest products to their families' tables-and to market. Loaded with accessible information about the many facets of farming, Down to Earth takes a close look at everything from what an egg carton tells you to why genetic diversity matters-even to kids.

Part of the nonfiction “Orca Footprints” series for middle-grade readers, this book examines the connection between humans and nature, why that connection is important and what we can learn from being outdoors. Illustrated with photographs throughout. Back to nature We know spending time in nature is good for us, but why? And how did people become so disconnected from the natural world, anyway? “Get Outside! How Humans Connect with Nature” explores the important relationship between people and nature. It asks big questions, like “Are humans part of nature or separate from it? and Do all people have equal access to nature?” By discussing global issues such as the climate crisis and environmental racism, the book shows us that, by strengthening our relationship with the natural world, we can learn how to take care of the environment and to let the environment take care of us too. Key Selling Points • This STEM book defines nature, why it's good for us, how access to nature isn't equal, how nature is viewed around the world, ideas for reconnecting with nature and, finally, how we can learn from nature. • It addresses topical themes, including climate change, environmental racism, Indigenous knowledge of nature, extreme heat, urban tree coverage and inequality in access to nature. • Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have found solace in spending time in nature, and outdoor activities are surging in popularity. For example, people visited parks more often, went camping and hiking, and took up birding. • The book provides fun ideas and actions young people can take to reconnect with nature in their everyday lives (like nature-based hobbies or ideas for outdoor projects). • The author regularly writes about conservation, sustainability and the environment. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world.

We have a serious plastic problem. What was supposed to be a miracle material when it was first invented is now one of the biggest sources of pollution on our planet. But where does plastic come from? Why do we use so much of it? How does it hurt the environment and the animals who live there? Our Plastic Problem looks at plastic's history, uses, and how it affects land, water, air and human health. It also explores innovations in bioplastic and recycling, and practical ways to reduce and replace the plastic in our lives. Working together, we can solve our plastic problem. Key Selling Points • This STEM title examines the history of plastic and plastic production, how it's used, how it affects the environment and human health, and explores solutions to our dependence on plastic. Includes short facts on information such as the first bottle return program (Oregon, 1972) and how each North American household releases 533 million microfibers into wastewater every year. • Plastic has a big carbon footprint, and its production contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. In the last 60 years the world has produced more than 8 billion tons of plastic, most of which still exists (as plastic does not biodegrade). In addition, only 9 percent of plastic is recycled. • Looks at innovations to reduce our dependence on plastic, including bio-based and compostable plastic, green chemistry, mechanical and chemical recycling and the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Also includes practical actions for young people to take to reduce the amount of plastic in their homes, schools and communities. • This book had several expert reads by subject-matter experts in the history, production and effects of plastics. • Author and documentary filmmaker Megan Durnford's interest in environmental science stems from her love of the natural world, and her scientific training (BSc. Biology) has enabled her to collaborate on several scientific and medical projects. Her first documentary film, Just a Lawn, highlighted Quebec's pioneering ban on cosmetic pesticides and the dark side of "perfect lawns." Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book explores the history and uses of plastic and the resulting environmental problems. A born storyteller, Megan Durnford is a writer, arts journalist and documentary filmmaker. She is the author of two nonfiction books: René Lévesque: The Fascinating Life of a Separatist Icon and Christmas in Quebec: Heartwarming Legends, Tales and Traditions. Megan's interest in environmental science stems from her love of the natural world. Her first documentary film, Just a Lawn, highlighted Quebec's pioneering ban on cosmetic pesticides and the dark side of "perfect lawns." Megan lives in Montreal with her family. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Can we live without plastic? We have a serious plastic problem. It's one of the biggest pollutants on our planet. But where does plastic come from, and why do we use so much of it? Learn about the history of plastic and its uses and effects on land, water, air and human health. Explore innovations in bioplastic and recycling, and discover practical ways you can reduce and replace the plastic in your life. By working together, we can find global solutions to our plastic problem. Can we live without plastic?

When highways and habitats intersect. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book explores the science of road ecology and what happens when highways, wildlife and habitats intersect. Illustrated with photographs throughout. What happens when the needs of people and nature collide? More than 13 million miles of roads crisscross landscapes in 222 countries. Roads offer many human benefits, but they also create problems for nature. Their construction leads to a loss of biodiversity through habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Roads isolate wildlife populations, impede migration and allow invasive plant and animal species to spread, while giving rise to pollution from garbage, light, noise and airborne contaminants. With innovative tools, like wildlife overpasses to reconnect landscapes, smart roads and vehicles to maximize safety, and a little hands on help, we can create environmental harmony. And sitting in the passenger seat, young people can play a part in helping highways and habitats coexist. Key Selling Points: • We use roads every day but don't often think about their effect on the environment. Wildlife Crossing examines what happens when roads and animals intersect, and shows ways that engineering, landscape design, signage and driver education can improve sustainability. • In the United States, up to two million large animals are hit by cars every year. In Canada, Ontario is the province with the most wildlife collisions, most often involving deer. • An introduction to the relatively new field of road ecology and another way to look at how humans are negatively affecting and changing the animal world. • This is a STEM book for kids who care about animals, habitats and the environment. There are practical things kids can do to make roads safer for animals. They'll get tips on how to be more observant when traveling, improve their chances of spotting wildlife and learn to recognize different habitats. • Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 20 nonfiction books for kids (with an interest in STEM topics). She has a background in the biological sciences, with a focus on ecology. Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 25 books for children and adults, with translations in eight languages. She is best known for her science books for children, especially her astronomy titles, and interest in everything outer space. Her books have won and been nominated for numerous awards, including the Moonbeam Children's Book, Crystal Kite, Skipping Stones, Rocky Mountain Book, Red Cedar Book and Hackmatack Awards and the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, among others. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Joan lives near Edmonton. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action.

A roof, a door, some windows, a floor. All houses have them, but not all houses are alike. Some have wings (airplane homes), some have wheels (Romany vardoes), some float; some are made of straw, some of snow and ice. Some are enormous, some are tiny; some are permanent and some are temporary. But all are home. Take Shelter explores the way people live all over the world and beyond-from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from an underground house in Las Vegas to the International Space Station. Everywhere people live, they adapt to their surroundings and create unique environments, using innovative techniques to provide that most basic of needs: shelter.

Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives explores some of the materials-all of which are made of basic chemical elements-that humans use or come into contact with in their day-to-day lives. Some of these chemicals are naturally occurring-clay, mercury, and lead. Others have been synthesized by chemists during the past 150 years and used in a bewildering array of products ranging from roof shingles to toothpaste. Many chemical inventions, as well as naturally produced chemicals, have had profound effects on food supply, developing medicines and creating hosts of useful items for modern life. Despite people using both natural and synthetic chemicals with (mainly) good intentions, some chemicals have had unintended negative consequences. Chemical residues have contaminated ecosystems the world over and are compromising the health of many ecosystems, animals and humans. The goal of Chemical World: Science in our Daily Lives is to introduce readers to basic chemistry and chemical history, and to show how chemicals are used for particular reasons but sometimes turn out to be harmful to environmental and human health. It invites readers to take a look at the world around them and ask questions about what's in their environment and how the things they use and eat every day can affect their own health and the planet's health.

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book examines the importance of seeds to all living things, the threats they face and why we have to preserve and conserve seeds for the future. Illustrated with photographs throughout. Small but mighty Learn about the importance of seeds and how saving and conserving them for the future is key to sustaining healthy life on the planet. Seeds are essential to all life on the planet. They provide us with food, clothing and other materials we need and use every day. Without seeds, the planet wouldn't have as many species of plants as we do now. Without plants, there wouldn't be oxygen to breathe and there would be less food for all life on Earth. But today seeds are under threat, mostly from human activity. The climate crisis and food insecurity mean protecting our seeds is more important than ever. In Save Our Seeds, young readers will hear from experts in the field and learn how to take action to preserve seeds for the future. Key Selling Points • Learning about the importance of seeds and how to save and conserve them for the future is imperative to sustaining healthy life on the planet. • Introduces young readers to STEM concepts, such as pollination, biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, food security, the climate crisis, GMO food and genetic engineering. • Gives young readers the practical tools to take action to save seeds in their own lives and communities. • The author is a certified master gardener and works with various gardening organizations in Alberta. She has a background in horticulture and urban agriculture and has written a number of nonfiction books for adults and kids. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Sheryl Normandeau is a lifelong gardener and holds a Prairie Horticulture Certificate and a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate. She is a freelance writer specializing in gardening writing, with hundreds of articles published. Sheryl is a regular contributor to Herb Quarterly, Gardener for Canadian Climates and Prairie Garden, and she is the author of The Little Prairie Book of Berries. She lives in Calgary.

When highways and habitats intersect. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book explores the science of road ecology and what happens when highways, wildlife and habitats intersect. Illustrated with photographs throughout. What happens when the needs of people and nature collide? More than 13 million miles of roads crisscross landscapes in 222 countries. Roads offer many human benefits, but they also create problems for nature. Their construction leads to a loss of biodiversity through habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Roads isolate wildlife populations, impede migration and allow invasive plant and animal species to spread, while giving rise to pollution from garbage, light, noise and airborne contaminants. With innovative tools, like wildlife overpasses to reconnect landscapes, smart roads and vehicles to maximize safety, and a little hands on help, we can create environmental harmony. And sitting in the passenger seat, young people can play a part in helping highways and habitats coexist. Key Selling Points: • We use roads every day but don't often think about their effect on the environment. Wildlife Crossing examines what happens when roads and animals intersect, and shows ways that engineering, landscape design, signage and driver education can improve sustainability. • In the United States, up to two million large animals are hit by cars every year. In Canada, Ontario is the province with the most wildlife collisions, most often involving deer. • An introduction to the relatively new field of road ecology and another way to look at how humans are negatively affecting and changing the animal world. • This is a STEM book for kids who care about animals, habitats and the environment. There are practical things kids can do to make roads safer for animals. They'll get tips on how to be more observant when traveling, improve their chances of spotting wildlife and learn to recognize different habitats. • Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 20 nonfiction books for kids (with an interest in STEM topics). She has a background in the biological sciences, with a focus on ecology. Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 25 books for children and adults, with translations in eight languages. She is best known for her science books for children, especially her astronomy titles, and interest in everything outer space. Her books have won and been nominated for numerous awards, including the Moonbeam Children's Book, Crystal Kite, Skipping Stones, Rocky Mountain Book, Red Cedar Book and Hackmatack Awards and the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, among others. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Joan lives near Edmonton. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action.

We have a serious plastic problem. What was supposed to be a miracle material when it was first invented is now one of the biggest sources of pollution on our planet. But where does plastic come from? Why do we use so much of it? How does it hurt the environment and the animals who live there? Our Plastic Problem looks at plastic's history, uses, and how it affects land, water, air and human health. It also explores innovations in bioplastic and recycling, and practical ways to reduce and replace the plastic in our lives. Working together, we can solve our plastic problem. Key Selling Points • This STEM title examines the history of plastic and plastic production, how it's used, how it affects the environment and human health, and explores solutions to our dependence on plastic. Includes short facts on information such as the first bottle return program (Oregon, 1972) and how each North American household releases 533 million microfibers into wastewater every year. • Plastic has a big carbon footprint, and its production contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. In the last 60 years the world has produced more than 8 billion tons of plastic, most of which still exists (as plastic does not biodegrade). In addition, only 9 percent of plastic is recycled. • Looks at innovations to reduce our dependence on plastic, including bio-based and compostable plastic, green chemistry, mechanical and chemical recycling and the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Also includes practical actions for young people to take to reduce the amount of plastic in their homes, schools and communities. • This book had several expert reads by subject-matter experts in the history, production and effects of plastics. • Author and documentary filmmaker Megan Durnford's interest in environmental science stems from her love of the natural world, and her scientific training (BSc. Biology) has enabled her to collaborate on several scientific and medical projects. Her first documentary film, Just a Lawn, highlighted Quebec's pioneering ban on cosmetic pesticides and the dark side of "perfect lawns." Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book explores the history and uses of plastic and the resulting environmental problems. A born storyteller, Megan Durnford is a writer, arts journalist and documentary filmmaker. She is the author of two nonfiction books: René Lévesque: The Fascinating Life of a Separatist Icon and Christmas in Quebec: Heartwarming Legends, Tales and Traditions. Megan's interest in environmental science stems from her love of the natural world. Her first documentary film, Just a Lawn, highlighted Quebec's pioneering ban on cosmetic pesticides and the dark side of "perfect lawns." Megan lives in Montreal with her family. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. Can we live without plastic? We have a serious plastic problem. It's one of the biggest pollutants on our planet. But where does plastic come from, and why do we use so much of it? Learn about the history of plastic and its uses and effects on land, water, air and human health. Explore innovations in bioplastic and recycling, and discover practical ways you can reduce and replace the plastic in your life. By working together, we can find global solutions to our plastic problem. Can we live without plastic?

Fair trade is not about spending more money or buying more stuff. It's about helping producers in developing countries get a fair price for their goods. In A Fair Deal: Shopping for Social Justice, Kari Jones provides a history of trade, explaining what makes trade systems unfair and what we can do about it. By examining ways in which our global trade systems value some people over others, the book illustrates areas in which fair trade practices can help families all around the world and suggests ways to get involved in making the world a more equitable place.

In the developed world, if you want a drink of water you just turn on a tap or open a bottle. But for millions of families worldwide, finding clean water is a daily challenge, and kids are often the ones responsible for carrying water to their homes. Every Last Drop looks at why the world's water resources are at risk and how communities around the world are finding innovative ways to quench their thirst and water their crops. Maybe you're not ready to drink fog, as they do in Chile, or use water made from treated sewage, but you can get a low-flush toilet, plant a tree, protect a wetland or just take shorter showers. Every last drop counts!