In an illuminating book for middle-grade readers, science writer and audio producer Madeleine Finlay and illustrator Jisu Choi team up again (Beetles for Breakfast) to describe some seemingly outlandish approaches that scientists are exploring to slow or halt climate change. Finlay organizes the innovations by locations, like at the breakfast table, park, or farm. Each section begins with a description of the importance of the location followed by more detailed information about the different possible ideas. Examples include kelp packaging on the breakfast table, slug mucus band-aids in the bathroom, or garden beds made from old mattresses.
Weird and Wonderful Ways to Save the Planet is full of ingeniously zany notions that may one day save the planet, and it concludes with actions that young readers can take right now to help make "the world a cleaner, greener place." Choi's art is bright, playful, and extremely detailed giving readers illustrations of the eccentric, environmental concepts they can repeatedly examine. Finlay and Choi's collaboration is perfect for budding environmentalists or anyone concerned about the future of the planet. --Jen Forbus, freelancer