Walking the Walk, Playing the Long Game

The past two weeks of COP sessions (and arguments and protests) have dominated the news regarding the current state of our planet and its looming future, for better or for worse. If each of the words exchanged had been a tree planted, or had been a dollar donated to a flooding island, or otherwise had any real action attached to it, we'd already be ahead in the battle to save Earth as a habitable planet. 

This post features two biography/profiles of individuals who moved beyond words to actions, who recognized serious problems early, then engaged with powerful political, social, and governmental forces for decades to make changes that saved countless lives and the environment.

One of these remarkable people had a relatively unknown name outside of Florida until there was a mass shooting at a school that was named to honor her lifetime environmental work in Florida, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. MARJORY SAVES THE EVERGLADES: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas is written by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. 

This picture book is a testament to the power of a single individual dedicated to the study, support, and protection of nature and a world larger than themselves. The many ways in which Marjory Stoneman Douglas defied conventions, expectations, assumptions, and powerful forces set a template for young readers to look around, recognize a need for change, and "walk the walk" on behalf of important causes and issues.

Back matter is superb, and the occasional quotations by Marjory are all documented in sources, as well as making connections to present day environmental and other activists. Her rescue of the Everglades is jaw-dropping, but the truth that even her heroic efforts only managed to preserve/restore half of the original expanses is heartbreaking. Art enriches and expands the information and tone of a very powerful biography.

On an entirely different continent and dealing with quite a different issue, Joseph Bazalgette's commitment to improving the quality of life and prevention of disease in Old London is equally impressive. THE GREAT STINK: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem is written by Colleen Paeff and illustrated  by Nancy Carpenter. 

There is plenty to love about this book, despite it being about the disgusting and deadly deposits in the River Thames during the mid-1800s. Joseph Bazelgette brought phenomenal insight, engineering, and persistence to his understanding of and commitment to correcting the situation. The countless hurdles he overcame and the result of his efforts on a massive (and ever-growing) London population are inspiring. What might sound like a gross and uninteresting story are instead elevated in this biographic account to heroic status. The intricate and well-researched illustrations combine with dramatic and comedic elements in this topic to make it appeal across a wide audience of ages and interests. The patterns and voice within the narrative are appealing as well as supportive of language and vocabulary development, while the remarkable back matter answers questions and invites further investigation.

These are two nonfiction picture books that will leave adult readers impressed and informed while entertaining and inspiring young audiences. It is true that our feverish planet needs an all hands on deck approach to recover and survive, but it is equally true that one committed individual can rally support and make changes that others thought to be impossible.