• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

"Thoughtful and thought-provoking, this book will plant the seeds of environmental activism in young readers." —Kirkus (starred review)

“I encourage everyone to read this book.” —Dr. Jane Goodall

There’s no doubt about it—plastic is in almost everything. From our phones and computers to our toys and utensils, plastic is everywhere. But the amount of plastic we throw away is hurting the health of our planet.

With The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics, readers will be fascinated as they learn about the growing plastic problem and meet just a few of the young activists who are standing up and speaking out for change.

• You’ll hear about the “Be Straw Free” campaign, started by nine-year-old Milo Cress.
• You’ll discover how scientists are using jellyfish snot and munching, crunching caterpillars to break down plastic pollution faster.
• You’ll meet Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López, the eight-year-old girl turning old plastic bottles into solar heaters.

And there are many more incredible kids here, not much older than our readers, who will inspire us all to change the way we think about plastic!

With an introduction from Milo Cress and bright, colorful illustrations from Christiane Engel, this collection of brilliant, lyrical nonfiction poems by award-winning author Susan Hood highlights the threat of plastic and the kids who are fighting for change to save our planet. Includes extensive backmatter with a timeline, author’s note, further resources, and more.

Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Alias Anna, Lifeboat 12, Ada’s Violin, Brothers in Arms, The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics, Shaking Things Up, and Titan and the Wild Boars. She is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction.” Visit her at susanhoodbooks.com.

Susan Hood's profile page

Christiane Engel has illustrated more than forty books for children, including the crtically acclaimed The Earth Gives More and What Do You Celebrate? She is also the author of the ABC for Me board book series, including Our ABC of Yoga and ABC Mindful Me. She loves creating books that inspire readers to be curious and compassionate about the world. She lives in Kent, England. Visit her at www.chengelillustration.com.

Christiane Engel's profile page

Thoughtful and thought-provoking, this book will plant the seeds of environmental activism in young readers. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In this factually augmented poetry collection, Hood illuminates the reasons, repercussions, and remedies for humans’ considerable use of plastic....Engel’s vivid, inclusive digital illustrations bolster this appealingly accessible picture book. — Publishers Weekly

A fantastic resource for those who want to learn about the fight against plastic pollution. A useful book to include in poetry or social awareness units, this is a thorough resource on plastic consumption. — School Library Journal

A breezy way of introducing ecology concepts and starting important conversations.
— Booklist

With an introduction from Milo Cress and bright, colorful illustrations from Christiane Engel, this collection of brilliant, lyrical nonfiction poems by award-winning author Susan Hood highlights the threat of plastic and the kids who are fighting for change to save our planet. — kidlit.tv

You'll finish this book and think about what you can do to help the environment. — Mrs. Knott's Book Blog

You don’t want to miss this smart read. — Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Blog