Parents' Guide to Why Are the Ice Caps Melting? The Dangers of Global Warming

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Common Sense Media Review

By Dawn Friedman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 9+

Dreary planet outlook challenges tweens to act.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 9+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

An introduction to global warming -- what it is, why it's happening, and how to stop it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This comprehensive introduction to global warming makes the subject easy to understand and brings it close to home. There's a list of things that make carbon dioxide -- from your pet dog panting to the family car and landfill. The book doesn't stint with the bad things that are happening -- and will continue to happen -- if global warming isn't slowed down. This is alarming stuff.

Even though it includes ideas about things we can do to help, the book will leave some kids feeling hopeless and understandably scared. Then again, lots of kids will come to this book already having some understanding of global warming, and its encouraging parts may help calm any fears that they brought to their first read. This is a good introduction for children ready for the discussion, with a parent's guidance.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about any choices they've made -- or plan to make -- to help the environment. They might want to brainstorm a list of ideas and then create signs to post around the house to remind other family members to turn off lights or recycle trash. What do you think of politicians like Al Gore who talk about global warming? Do you think they're being politicians or environmentalists? What effect does media coverage have on environmentalism?

Book Details

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