Non-Fiction Fashion Pick: Fashionopolis: The Secrets Behind t he Clothes We Wear

 

Fashionopolis: The Secrets Behind the Clothes We Wear

(Young Readers Edition)

by Dana Thomas

Dial Books for Young Readers

Penguin Random House LLC

2022

196 pages

ISBN: 9780593325018

An important book for all readers interested in fashion and those committed to help save our planet, Fashionopolis looks at the chain that produces the cotton, silk or other fabrics, the dyers, the designers: haute couture, ready-to wear, fast fashion and reused clothing.

Most people don't know the amount of effort it takes to get the clothes they buy to the rack in the stores where they shop. Young readers will be surprised at the amount of clothing that is thrown out and ends up in our landfills. Did you know some synthetic clothes like polyester, will take at least five hundred years to decompose or that one in every nine workers works in the clothing industry? 

Dana Thomas delivers facts and information to young readers that will get them thinking about the clothes they wear and what they can do to help stop contributing to landfills. What happens when there's no more room for landfills? The time is now to shop wisely, buy what you need, use it, donate it or trade it. 

Sweatshops in third world countries produce much of America's clothing. Next time you buy something, look at the label. It likely will say "made in China," "made in India," or "made in Bangladesh." Foreign factories are free to set their own work hours and conditions. Pay is so low for a day's work that it's a crime. America's clothing factories are supposed to be regulated in conditions and hours, but again, the pay for a day's work is not a living wage and conditions are likely to be poor. 

Thomas includes ideas for young people and their families to practice: including trading clothes with friends, washing your clothes less frequently; for example, if you wear a pair of jeans one time, chances are they're not dirty unless you spilled something on them. Other ideas include: fixing your clothes instead of tossing them out. If it's a small tear or missing button, it can be easily fixed at home. An idea anyone can practice is: use cloth tote bags when buying groceries and other things. Don't use the plastic bags from the store. Donate your clothes to Good Will or other charity. By changing a few things about the way we shop, what we buy and what we throw away, we'll be doing our part to improve our planet. 

Highly recommended grade 6 and up. 

Non-Fiction Picture Book Pick: I'm Trying To Love Garbage

 

I'm Trying To Love Garbage

by Bethany Barton

Illustrations by the author

Viking

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2021 

40 pages

ISBN: 9780593207031

This is an IMPORTANT and powerful picture book with a great message! 

 

I'm Trying To Love Trash is a love letter  to garbage and nature's garbage collector's and powerful message of recycling, reusing and making less waste for our planet told by a colorful cast: scavengers, detritivores, and decomposers. 

Even with all the hard-working roaches, rats, vultures, termites, earthworms, sea cucumbers, fiddler crabs and microorganisms, all garbage isn't taken care of by nature. Inorganic waste like disposable diapers, plastic bags, tires, glass, even cotton clothing causes landfills and earth is running out of space for all our trash.

Readers will learn to reduce, reuse and recycle, and children will likely suggest their own family to do a better job to help save their planet. 

Highly, highly recommended ages 4-8. Readers will learn new vocabulary and enjoy the colorful characters created by Bethany Barton.

Graphic Novel Pick: Isla to Island

 

Isla to Island

by Alexis Castellanos

Illustrations by the author 

Atheneum Books for Young Readers 

Simon & Schuster's Childrens Publishing Division

2022

192 pages

ISBN: 9781534469242

Simply stunning! With few words, the story is told through illustrations. 

Isla to Island is a breathtaking and fresh graphic novel based on Alexis Castellanos' family experiences. The story opens in 1958 and full color illustrations capture the colors of Cuba. In 1959 Fidel Castro takes over Cuba and his armed soldiers are everywhere. Explosions rock the neighborhood. 

Seeking a better life for their daughter, Marisol's parents get her a passport and send her to New York City  to live. The author explains in the author's note that many children came unescorted to the United States through a program known as  Peter Pan Program. This program lasted from 1960-1962. 

Full color illustrations are gone and black and white capture Marisol's fear and mood.  She must learn a new language, a new HUGE city, family and school.  She's bullied by her classmates, even injured when a boy trips her. Marisol sees a girl she begins to follow. The artwork around the girl turns to magical purples and blues and when she enters the library, Marisol follows. Full color illustrations depict the library and its books as portals to wonder and a place where Marisol feels safe.

She begins reading about plants and trees, and when her "family" sees her stack of books, they take her to the botanical gardens. Her "dad" builds her a bookshelf and she decorates her room with plants and flowers. The reader sees the development of Marisol learning and laughing. She's smiling in most pages. 

Time passes and it's the first day of seventh grade. Marisol isn't as shy. She introduces herself to a group of kids and the reader knows she'll be okay. 

Pages follow with Marisol's recipe for Arroz con Pollo, Author's Note, Operation Peter Pan and further reading about Cuba and Peter Pan. A lovely gift for any immigrant. Marisol's story will resonate with readers who want to belong. 

Highly, highly recommended. Caution: Marisol gets her first period, but it happens to over 50% of the population, and young girls (and boys) shouldn't be ashamed of menstruation.