Hendrickson, Debra. The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Frontlines of Climate Change. S. & S. Jul. 2024. 240p. ISBN 9781501197130. $27.99. CHILD REARING

An avid reader of the Superman comics growing up, pediatrician Hendrickson believes that superhero tales speak to today’s world of fear and concerns about the environmental future of planet Earth. Working on the frontlines of climate change in Reno, NV, labeled as the fastest-warming city in the U.S., she believes global warming is the greatest moral crisis the world has ever faced collectively. She asserts that children are especially at risk due to the rapid changes in their bodies and minds as they develop. She urges parents—and other adults, for that matter—to play the superhero and stand up for children during these high-stakes times. Her research covers key areas such as Mexico City (for its poor air quality), where half of the children who participated in a study had particles embedded in their prefrontal cortex. The book also focuses on Arizona, a state that may become uninhabitable in the near future due to extreme heat, even though, a century ago, thousands flocked there for its dry air and warm temperatures, which were believed to help cure tuberculosis. VERDICT This is a compelling, page-turning read on the perils of global environmental issues and a call to action for parents.

Wylie-Kellermann, Lydia. This Sweet Earth: Walking with Our Children in the Age of Climate Collapse. Broadleaf. Jul. 2024. 208p. ISBN 9781506495125. pap. $18.99. CHILD REARING

The first tip Wylie-Kellerman (editor, The Sandbox Revolution) offers in this book is to read it slowly, countering a world that demands speed at all costs. The activist and mother grew up in southwest Detroit, formerly inhabited by the Wendat people. In Detroit, she once scooped up animals in the lake. Now there are no clams, leeches, or tadpoles for her children to find; cherries are harvested earlier each year; and battles stir over privatization of water. She calls parents “justice warriors” and encourages them to view the climate change crisis as an opportunity for effective change. She wants parents to live as though their visions for the future are realities, instead of adopting a strong sense of hope or giving in to discouragement. She discusses finding the sacred within nature and the power of prayer. With poetry and blessings scattered across the text, the book includes ideas for enjoying nature with children. Emphasizing that people aren’t inclined to save something that they don’t love, the book calls for communities to protect nature and the planet from despair and involve youths in resistance work. VERDICT A helpful and page-turning guide to protecting the planet amid today’s climate change crisis.