The World Is Ours to Cherish: A Letter to a Child

by Mary Annaïse Heglar, Vivian Mineker (Illustrator)

Overview

"An honest yet hopeful take on climate change written in the form of a letter and addressed to children everywhere"--

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593568019
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	241,422
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mary Annaïse Heglar has written essays for publications such as New York Magazine, The Boston Globe, Vox, Wired, and Rolling Stone, among others. She is also the co-host and co-creator of Hot Take, a critically acclaimed climate newsletter and podcast. In 2020, Mary was the inaugural writer in residence at Columbia University's Earth Institute and has since taught classes there and at Tulane University. She is based in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is Mary's debut book. Follow her on Twitter @MaryHeglar and on Instagram at @mary.heglar.

Vivian Mineker is the illustrator of over a dozen picture books for children including The Road Not Taken and All Cats Welcome. She has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, Times of India, and Toons Mag. Find Vivian online at www.vivianmineker.com or on Instagram @vivian.mineker and on Twitter @vivianmineker.

Editorial Reviews

12/11/2023

Speaking in broad language about how global warming is impacting the natural world, Heglar’s epistolary picture book debut begins by noting the “magic all around you. You can see it when the sun rises in the morning.” Establishing that climate change is apparent, simple text next invites readers to cherish nature (“the fireflies who light the night sky”) as a step toward implementing collective change. In a saturated graphical style, Mineker’s digital illustrations depict people of various skin tones encountering the outdoors and collaborating on concrete solutions amid a repeating rainbow motif. It’s a gentle introduction to climate advocacy that emphasizes learning and care. An author’s note and “First Steps for Changing the World” conclude. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

2023-11-18
A tale that imparts important messages about the beauty and magic of the world—and encourages readers to treasure it.

“There is magic all around you,” an unseen narrator notes. “You are part of this magic.” Directly addressing young readers, Heglar gently observes that so much of the world has changed for the worse, yet there’s still so much to cherish: fireflies, morning birds singing, a cool breeze on a hot day, trees that shield us from the wind. Despite the drastic effects of climate change, Heglar makes it clear that as long as we have hope and continue to work together, we can change the world for the better. The text reads like a lovely, delicate poem threaded with urgency, compassion, honesty, and optimism. Heglar discusses the dangers of a changing world in ways that are appropriate and approachable for children but that never ignore the dire realities facing the planet. The themes of the magic of hope and beauty will tug at readers’ heartstrings. Those who feel moved should look to the author’s note, which briefly discusses climate change, and the appended First Steps for Changing the World, a list of five specific actions readers can take. Mineker’s soft, inviting illustrations complement the text and depict people diverse in terms of age and skin tone.

An honest and hopeful call for climate caretaking. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews

"An honest and hopeful call for climate caretaking." —Kirkus Reviews

"A gentle introduction to climate advocacy that emphasizes learning and care." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher