I like reading or listening to educational non-fiction books because they keep me informed on subjects that interest me. I don't know much about global warming or meteorology so I decided to give Andrew Weaver's book a go, liking the fact that it was Canadian. If I had any doubt that global warming exists it was gone by the time I finished listening to his book. In a nutshell, Weaver states that global warming is primarily caused by carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption. A climate modeller in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Weaver takes the time to explain what this means, with an emphasis on Canada's environment.

Weaver goes into great detail about this, using terminology I was unfamiliar with, but also using common illustrations and examples to help me (a layman) understand, which I really appreciated. I have to admit that when the information was more statistical my mind tended to wander. There are a lot of stats in this book! I know the print book includes graphs, diagrams, analyses and the like. Since I am more visual when it comes to dry or textbook material I think that I would have gotten more out of this book if I had read it. I'm faster at solving a mathematical equation if I see it than if I hear it.

Weaver includes politics in his discussion, brings out arguments against those who don't believe global warming is a reality and shows how this affects the lack of putting into place good solutions for this problem. He states that governmental policies are largely ineffective and that although people are resistant to change, we have a responsibility regarding the future of our children. He ends the book with his ideas of possible solutions including a carbon tax and using sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and nuclear energy.

Since I have no science background but have taken an interest in this book purely out of my passion to keep learning new things, I cannot argue for or against Weaver based on science, but as a Canadian citizen I found it eye-opening, convincing and alarming. It made me want to stop driving my car (or perhaps drive less) and feel more responsible toward taking care of my planet.

The narrator David Skulski (who I assume is an older man) has an engaging and wise voice, almost grandfatherly so I felt like I was listening to someone who had life experience and knew what he was talking about. I enjoyed his narration because it came across as someone who had authority in this topic. I recommend this book to all students of meteorology and climate science. I also think Canadian politicians would benefit from knowing and listening to what out climate scientists are saying about the fast-changing climate in Canada.

I haven't read one of these books in years. Lost in the Wild is a choose-your-path book—an adventure book with dozens of possible endings depending on the decisions you make throughout the story.

You are the main character. You and your sister Kate (story written in the second-person POV) are on a camping trip with your family. But when you and Kate get caught in a terrible thunderstorm your struggle for survival begins. And what an adventure it is!

My kids and I had so much fun reading this story together. We also learned a lot about surviving in the outdoors where there are bears and wolves. We made it to the end after dying...three times? Yes, we had to retrace out paths several times and try to figure out how to survive. The first night we read it my husband joined us as we were deciding which four items from the list of ten we should pack into our backpack. They all seemed essential to us, especially me, the city girl who would bring everything I possibly could. I am so not an outdoors person.

At one point in the story we made a wrong choice and ended up getting rescued but not the sister. But then at another time, we also ended up getting rescued and our sister did too and we failed to see why it was different the second time around when the circumstances seemed the same. Apart from this, the choices we made really helped us see the value in survival knowledge and preparedness.

We found this book exciting and suspenseful and we finished it in two sittings. But of course, one could re-read this book many times and always have a different adventure exploring the various choices along the way. It's a great book to read as a family as each member can give their input and then decide together what to do. It's an ideal book for both boys and girls and also for the reluctant reader. Both my 9 year-old girl and my 6 year-old boy loved it. My son actually said to me that it's now one of his favourite books. 

I thought the book trailer was great too. Check it out:

For more information on this book and its author, visit http://www.ryanjacobsononline.com/

Janet Wilson portrays ten youths from around the world who have taken action to do something for our Earth, whether it's saving the rainforest, building wells in Africa, or starting an organic school vegetable garden. This colorful book begins with the African proverb:

If many little people,

in many little places,

do many little things,

they can change

the face of the Earth.

How empowering for our children!

Each page spread is dedicated to a child environmentalist, containing beautiful illustrations, photos, and Website links. It's a visually stimulating book that ends with further examples of what other kids have created and how we can help save the planet such as getting unplugged or giving your school an e-report card.

My children were impressed with the things these kids from 7 to 17 years of age accomplished. They were also taken aback with the problems we are currently facing with climate change, pollution, endangered species, poverty, deforestation, and global warming. It has raised awareness in them and myself too, and it makes us think twice about some choices we make and how we can be more conscientious.

Not long after reading the book, as I was driving on the highway, my 6 year-old son pointed to the black smoke spewing from the factories and said, “Mom, look at all that pollution!” He was suddenly seeing the implication of something he hadn't noticed or been aware of before we read this book. During our reading, my children and I discussed how precious the gift of the Earth, our home, is for us and what we can do to show God our appreciation of it.

This is an inspiring book for children and an excellent gift for the active child who loves to get involved and bring about positive changes to the world.

This book is printed on paper from responsible sources (FSC).