BOOK REVIEW: Don't Eat The Plastic

TITLE: Don't Eat The Plastic
AUTHOR: Dara Herman Zierlein
PUBISHED BY: Olympia Publishing

This book is dedicated to all parents and children who want to help save the planet. It is an excellent book for 5-7 year olds to teach them about environmental awareness.

The author uses a young alligator and her day in the swamp to raise children’s awareness about protecting the environment. She, like the youngsters reading the book, goes through all the usual morning routines of showering, tooth brushing, hair combing, and having a good stretch before feeling hungry and thinking about what to eat for breakfast.

Whilst trying to catch some fish, she almost chokes on a plastic water bottle, a plastic bag lands on her head and she gets caught up in a worn-out car tire. She meets up with others who are also caught up in various kinds of rubbish such as a plastic bottle cap, a ring pull from a tin can and a plastic grocery bag. 

After she helps release them they become friends and they all agree to clean up their environment by picking up rubbish and recycling what they can. By working together they ensure that their environment is clean and safe from plastic pollution thus making their lives safe and protected from plastic items which could be a hazard to themselves and others.

I was initially drawn to the book by the brightly coloured illustrations which bring the story to life.  They are emotive and have movement with vibrant colours and lots of detail which really catch the eye and tell the story very well.

Using a playful tale the author demonstrates the importance of environmental awareness on an individual and community level and emphasises the importance of teamwork and friendship. It is done in a very creative way with beautiful illustrations and a clear message of awareness.

The book’s compact size makes it manageable for a child with small hands to hold.  Plus, it has easy to slide pages which make it easier for small hands eagerly wanting to turn over to the next part of the story to handle.  

With a feel-good ending, which brings the story to a satisfying conclusion there are several messages which are environmental and community slanted to teach children about protecting the environment in an entertaining way.

Readers will definitely want to make others aware that there are alternatives to one-time-use plastic items in their daily life after reading this delightful story with its built-in, important message for children and adults to stop using plastic and to protect the environment and the animals who live in it.

A list of helpful resources are included at the end of the book to help readers get started on eliminating single-use plastic items from their community which includes details of organisations to contact and other books to read and films to watch on the same subject.

This book is the author's first children’s book; and as a political artist, and art educator she continuously strives to use her art to advocate awareness in the world. 

The book is beautifully complemented with illustrations by Peter O. Zierlein.

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard