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The Wild World Handbook: Habitats

Illustrated by Asia Orlando
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Paperback
$19.99 US
6.92"W x 8.52"H x 0.64"D   | 17 oz | 28 per carton
On sale May 25, 2021 | 232 Pages | 9781683692461
Age 8-12 years | Grades 3-7
Reading Level: Lexile 1030L
Packed with real-life tales of adventure, breathtaking illustrations, and hands-on STEAM activities, this handbook is an inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers.

The wonder of the natural world surrounds us—from the Amazon rainforest to the snowy peaks of Mount Everest to the green spaces in big cities. And as the threat of climate change grows, it’s more important than ever to show appreciation for our planet by taking action.

The first book in a middle grade series for young environmental activists and nature lovers, The Wild World Handbook: Habitats offers a roadmap for change and an invitation to explore the outdoors, alongside surprising facts and hands-on STEAM activities. Featuring nine habitats from around the globe, each section includes diverse biographies of outdoor adventurers, scientists, and artists who used their passion and skills to become bold allies for Earth’s natural diversity and resiliency.

Inside you will find:

   • Nine Amazing Habitats
   • Eighteen Inspiring Biographies
   • Nine  Kid-Friendly DIY Activities
   • Nine Fun Field Trips
   • And much more!

It’s up to us to protect this beautiful, awe-inspiring planet we call home! Perfect for fans of Explorer Academy, Planet Earth, and National Geographic Kids.
PureWow Happy Kid Award Winner for Best 8+ Book
A Dogwood 2022-2023 MASL Readers Award Final Nominee

Named a Blueberry Award Changemaker

“This gorgeous book features beautifully detailed illustrations, facts, stories and tips on making your own biome and helping to protect the environment.... A practical guide for young climate activists and junior conservationists.”—CNN Underscored

“Beautifully illustrated….An entertaining and educational book for environmentally conscious nature lovers that will inspire action.”—Booklist

“Well-designed and smartly organized...providing inspiration that proves that all types of people can enjoy and protect nature.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This accessible guide offers a good balance of detailed information with engaging activities and calls to action....A strong choice to inspire young changemakers for our planet.”—School Library Journal

“Hopeful, even as it leaves no stone unturned on the path to mitigating grave ecological issues like climate change, deforestation and overfishing...The result leaves readers — whether middle grade or middle-aged — informed, inspired and, most importantly, empowered.”Madison Magazine

“For the quieter kid, or perhaps for an Earth-minded child who may need to stay indoors for part of the summer...With more facts, less adventure, this book offers ecology-based biographies, activities to do indoors, fun facts, places to visit, and information about our world.”—Terri Schlichenmeyer
Andrea Debbink has trained as a master naturalist and writes about environmental stewardship, citizen science, and outdoor education. She is also the creator of the Natural Wonder newsletter and the author of the Wild World Handbook series (Quirk Books, 2021 and 2022). She believes that it doesn’t matter where you see nature; it’s seeing nature that matters. View titles by Andrea Debbink
Asia Orlando is an illustrator and digital artist based in Amsterdam. She is the founder of #OurPlanetWeek, an illustration movement aimed at promoting environmental awareness. View titles by Asia Orlando
Introduction: The World Outside

What comes to mind when you think about nature? The sky-scraping mountains of the Alps, the canyon-carving Colorado River, a field of wildflowers, a thunderstorm? Maybe you picture something smaller and closer to home: dandelions that grow in sidewalk cracks or the honeybees that buzz outside your window. This book is a guide to all the extraordinary and ordinary things in nature, wherever you find them.
     In The Wild World Handbook, you’ll learn about nine amazing habitats—from polar lands where the sun sometimes shines all day, and sometimes not at all, to mysterious rainforests that are still full of secrets. You’ll read stories about natural wonders like the tallest tree in the world and deserts that bloom so bright you can see them from space.
     You’ll also read stories about people, because people have the power to hurt nature or to help it—and you do, too. The people in this book had incredible experiences in nature and then they did something about it. They’re scientists and activists, but they’re also photographers, writers, athletes, and explorers. Each of them started out just like you—an ordinary kid—but their actions changed the natural world for the better and helped us understand our place in it.
     You probably know this by now: humans have done a lot to hurt nature and the habitats that make up our beautiful, wild world. And we still do. We cut down forests in unsustainable ways, pour pollution into waterways, and take more than we need from the earth. Today we’re facing a lot of big environmental challenges as a result of people’s actions, such as plant and animal extinction, plastic pollution, and melting glaciers. And all these problems are made worse by climate change and its effects. It can be sad, and scary, to think about all this destruction.
     That’s why it’s helpful—and hopeful—to think about these things, too: There are birds that fly in our skies today because someone a hundred years ago cared enough to protect them. There are forests growing tall because someone planted seedlings. There are rivers with cleaner water and healthy fish because someone cleaned them up. History is full of people who destroyed nature and history is full of people who protected and cared for it. Each generation had a choice and we do too: Will we destroy nature and use it up until it’s gone? Or will we take care of our world’s incredible habitats and help them thrive?
     You don’t have to be a scientist or a park ranger or a politician or an adult to explore nature or to protect it. You don’t have to live in the woods or even like to camp. You don’t have to own hiking boots or look a certain way or be from a certain place. There are many ways to explore nature and there are many ways to take care of it. This book will show you how.

About

Packed with real-life tales of adventure, breathtaking illustrations, and hands-on STEAM activities, this handbook is an inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers.

The wonder of the natural world surrounds us—from the Amazon rainforest to the snowy peaks of Mount Everest to the green spaces in big cities. And as the threat of climate change grows, it’s more important than ever to show appreciation for our planet by taking action.

The first book in a middle grade series for young environmental activists and nature lovers, The Wild World Handbook: Habitats offers a roadmap for change and an invitation to explore the outdoors, alongside surprising facts and hands-on STEAM activities. Featuring nine habitats from around the globe, each section includes diverse biographies of outdoor adventurers, scientists, and artists who used their passion and skills to become bold allies for Earth’s natural diversity and resiliency.

Inside you will find:

   • Nine Amazing Habitats
   • Eighteen Inspiring Biographies
   • Nine  Kid-Friendly DIY Activities
   • Nine Fun Field Trips
   • And much more!

It’s up to us to protect this beautiful, awe-inspiring planet we call home! Perfect for fans of Explorer Academy, Planet Earth, and National Geographic Kids.

Praise

PureWow Happy Kid Award Winner for Best 8+ Book
A Dogwood 2022-2023 MASL Readers Award Final Nominee

Named a Blueberry Award Changemaker

“This gorgeous book features beautifully detailed illustrations, facts, stories and tips on making your own biome and helping to protect the environment.... A practical guide for young climate activists and junior conservationists.”—CNN Underscored

“Beautifully illustrated….An entertaining and educational book for environmentally conscious nature lovers that will inspire action.”—Booklist

“Well-designed and smartly organized...providing inspiration that proves that all types of people can enjoy and protect nature.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This accessible guide offers a good balance of detailed information with engaging activities and calls to action....A strong choice to inspire young changemakers for our planet.”—School Library Journal

“Hopeful, even as it leaves no stone unturned on the path to mitigating grave ecological issues like climate change, deforestation and overfishing...The result leaves readers — whether middle grade or middle-aged — informed, inspired and, most importantly, empowered.”Madison Magazine

“For the quieter kid, or perhaps for an Earth-minded child who may need to stay indoors for part of the summer...With more facts, less adventure, this book offers ecology-based biographies, activities to do indoors, fun facts, places to visit, and information about our world.”—Terri Schlichenmeyer

Author

Andrea Debbink has trained as a master naturalist and writes about environmental stewardship, citizen science, and outdoor education. She is also the creator of the Natural Wonder newsletter and the author of the Wild World Handbook series (Quirk Books, 2021 and 2022). She believes that it doesn’t matter where you see nature; it’s seeing nature that matters. View titles by Andrea Debbink
Asia Orlando is an illustrator and digital artist based in Amsterdam. She is the founder of #OurPlanetWeek, an illustration movement aimed at promoting environmental awareness. View titles by Asia Orlando

Excerpt

Introduction: The World Outside

What comes to mind when you think about nature? The sky-scraping mountains of the Alps, the canyon-carving Colorado River, a field of wildflowers, a thunderstorm? Maybe you picture something smaller and closer to home: dandelions that grow in sidewalk cracks or the honeybees that buzz outside your window. This book is a guide to all the extraordinary and ordinary things in nature, wherever you find them.
     In The Wild World Handbook, you’ll learn about nine amazing habitats—from polar lands where the sun sometimes shines all day, and sometimes not at all, to mysterious rainforests that are still full of secrets. You’ll read stories about natural wonders like the tallest tree in the world and deserts that bloom so bright you can see them from space.
     You’ll also read stories about people, because people have the power to hurt nature or to help it—and you do, too. The people in this book had incredible experiences in nature and then they did something about it. They’re scientists and activists, but they’re also photographers, writers, athletes, and explorers. Each of them started out just like you—an ordinary kid—but their actions changed the natural world for the better and helped us understand our place in it.
     You probably know this by now: humans have done a lot to hurt nature and the habitats that make up our beautiful, wild world. And we still do. We cut down forests in unsustainable ways, pour pollution into waterways, and take more than we need from the earth. Today we’re facing a lot of big environmental challenges as a result of people’s actions, such as plant and animal extinction, plastic pollution, and melting glaciers. And all these problems are made worse by climate change and its effects. It can be sad, and scary, to think about all this destruction.
     That’s why it’s helpful—and hopeful—to think about these things, too: There are birds that fly in our skies today because someone a hundred years ago cared enough to protect them. There are forests growing tall because someone planted seedlings. There are rivers with cleaner water and healthy fish because someone cleaned them up. History is full of people who destroyed nature and history is full of people who protected and cared for it. Each generation had a choice and we do too: Will we destroy nature and use it up until it’s gone? Or will we take care of our world’s incredible habitats and help them thrive?
     You don’t have to be a scientist or a park ranger or a politician or an adult to explore nature or to protect it. You don’t have to live in the woods or even like to camp. You don’t have to own hiking boots or look a certain way or be from a certain place. There are many ways to explore nature and there are many ways to take care of it. This book will show you how.