I Have the Right to Save My Planet

March 1, 2021
Children have the right to appreciate the diversity of the world, to recognize and take action against environmental threats, and to dream up imaginative ways to save the planet. Serres, who argued powerfully for the rights enumerated in the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child in I Have the Right To Be a Child, also illustrated by Fronty but translated by Helen Mixter (2012), returns to contend that this treaty also gives children the right to work toward and dream about healing Earth's ills. Fronty's folk-style gouache paintings add color and international flavor. The smoothly translated narrative of this French import moves quickly from showing the "free!" world of nature with all its gifts to lamenting human threats: loss of plant and animal species, pollution or waste of precious water, plastic trash, chemicals in food, and climate change. Children, together, can express their anger and dream of and work for change. They can hope we can all share water, food, or other resources. In framing his argument, the author seems to recognize his leap from the relevant sections of the document regarding education that develops "respect for the natural environment" and the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. He interprets the statement that "A child's best interests must always be respected" as including "respecting the child's magnificent home--the Earth!" He doesn't include citations from the document nor the sad fact that the U.S. is the only major U.N. country that is not a party. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) A strong statement. (Informational picture book. 7-10)

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April 15, 2021
Grades 1-4 Children can feel overwhelmed by looming environmental destruction, but this book offers hope by urging them to fight for a healthier world. The book comes from the team that created I Have the Right to Be a Child (2012), and Fronty's beautiful folk art-style gouache art and Serres' straightforward way of cheering children on will be familiar to readers of that award-winning creation. Serres starts by informing children about a broad right: "When it comes to nature, I have the right to everything." The author then discusses dangers to Earth, more specific related rights, and ways to claim them. For example, Serres says, we could lose one million plant and animal species, but "I have the right to take action," and the actions described are often accessible to children. With its dreamy art, message of urgency paired with hope, and things to do right now, this will be a winning addition to nonfiction collections. A bonus closing discussion of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child might lead readers to additional action.

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May 1, 2021

Gr 2-5-When each human is born, the Earth presents its many gifts. Air, green grass, 10 million species of living things with new ones being discovered every day, all these things are given by the Earth. But if people don't take care of the Earth and its creatures, many species will disappear. The author and illustrator, who previously collaborated on I Have the Right to Be a Child, explain that each person has the right to stand up and work to protect the Earth's creatures, land, and water through acts such as protesting. Sharing resources and limiting pollution offer partial solutions to some of the problems that plague the planet. Written as a pledge to take care of the planet and with beautiful illustrations, the book highlights some of the ways the Earth is in trouble and how people can take better care of it. The ideals of a healthy planet shine through in both the text and the bright, eye-catching illustrations. VERDICT A nice addition for libraries on the importance of taking appropriate care of the Earth.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT

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