Monday, April 1, 2024

Wild Places - The Life of Naturalist David AttenBorough review

 Wild Places by Hayley Rocco

An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

"If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us" - David Attenborough
 
I have been a longtime fan of David Attenborough. Between his distinctive voice and beautiful documentary shows, I am captivated whenever I watch.  I was happy to see a biography picture book sharing his philosophies and all that we can learn from his life's work.  
 
It tells the story of David as a young boy, exploring the wild places of England, to adulthood where he becomes a TV host of a nature program featuring zoo animals.  But that was not enough for him so instead proposes filming animals in their natural environments to better learn about them.  Through his films, he takes viewers to different and unusual places to witnesses animals in their natural habitats rarely seen before.  As a young naturalist and televising his findings, he becomes widely popular.   But sadly as the years pass by, he notices that wild places were starting to vanish.  The animal populations are beginning to decline and our weather was becoming more extreme.  He shifted direction from naturalist to advocate on the education of environmental changes/causes and what can be done to help bring it back.  
 
The book is easy to read but very impactful.  Beautiful illustrations throughout and I liked the quotes from David on various pages.  The end has a wonderful author's note and ways we can contribute to "rewilding" our planet. It would make a great book for a project, science unit or upcoming Earth Day events.  It not only portrays David's ambitions but the changes that our planet is experiencing.  If we do not recognize what is happening, we may someday not have a planet Earth. It is a story that will have you thinking about our natural world.   My hope is that this book will inspire kids (and adults) to think about our planet, our nature and what they can do to help protect our resources. Not only for now and for the future; but for the generations to come.  I think this is a just right book for ages 7-11.~

Title:  Wild Places The Life of David Attenborough
Author: Hayley Rocco, illustrated by John Rocco
Pub. date: February 2024,  G.P. Putnam & Sons
Genre: nonfiction
Hardcover, 48  pgs.

 

 

 

 

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