Plasticus maritimus : an invasive species

Select an Action

Title:

Plasticus maritimus : an invasive species

Author:

Pêgo, Ana (Marine biologist), author.

Martins, Isabel Minhós, author.

Carvalho, Bernardo P., 1973- illustrator.

Springer, Jane, translator.

Summary:

"When she was young, biologist Ana Pêgo didn't play in a backyard but on a beach. As she grew older, Ana realized that a new species was becoming more and more common in the sand. She decided to collect the species and give it a name: Plasticus maritimus. She dedicated her life to studying plastic in the oceans and raising awareness of the danger it poses to the health of the planet. Inspired by Ana's experiences, and backed by extensive research, this book explains how plastics are ever more present in our oceans, lakes and streams--more than 9 million tons a year! She explains how plastic is made, offers a field guide to help young people identify the Plasticus maritimus species, and takes a critical look at our current "solutions" to plastic contamination. A call for deep changes in our habits, this book encourages young people (and adults) to become part of the solution. Invasive, deeply destructive, and almost indestructible, Plasticus maritimus is a species that should go extinct!"--from Back cover.

General Note:

Translation of: Plasticus maritimus, uma espécie invasora.

Contents:

Introduction -- The importance of oceans -- The species plasticus maritimus -- Do you want to know more about plastic? -- Common ocean plastic -- Exotic ocean plastic -- How to go into the field -- What we can do -- Recycling: why can't we just relax?

Physical Description:

169 pages : color illustrations ; 21 cm

Subject Term:

Plastic marine debris -- Environmental aspects -- Juvenile literature.

Plastic scrap -- Environmental aspects -- Juvenile literature.

Marine pollution -- Juvenile literature.

Plastics -- Environmental aspects -- Juvenile literature.

Author(s):

Martins, Isabel Minhós,

Carvalho, Bernardo P., 1973-

Springer, Jane,

Publisher:

David Suzuki Institute ; Greystone Kids, Greystone Books,

Publication Date:

2020

ISBN:

9781771646437

9781771646451

Publication Information:

Vancouver, BC : David Suzuki Institute ; Berkeley [California] : Greystone Kids, Greystone Books, 2020.

Call Number:

J 363.738 PEGO

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003567347	Juvenile Nonfiction	363.738 PEGO	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

"Clever...beguiling....Readers age 11 and older are likely to finish this book feeling both persuaded and uplifted. Beauty has a way of doing that."
-- Wall Street Journal

For young readers comes an imaginative guide to ocean plastics, filled with tips and tricks for identifying--and combating--pollution in our oceans.

Inspired by biologist AnaPêgo's life's work, and filled with engaging science and colorful photographs, this foundational look at plastic pollution in the ocean explains why it is such an urgent contemporary issue.

When she was young, Ana Pêgo didn't play in a backyard, but on a beach. She walked along the shore, looked at tide pools, and collected fossils. As she grew older, Pêgo noticed a new species at the seaside: plastic. She decided to collect it, study it, and give it a Latin name--Plasticus maritimus--to warn people of its dangers to our planet.

Pêgo tells us how plastics end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans, shares plastic's chemical composition and physical properties, and offers a field guide to help readers identify and understand this new invasive species in all its forms, from the obvious (fishing nets and water bottles) to the unfamiliar (tiny, clear particles called microplastics). Finally, she offers a critical look at our current "solutions" to plastic contamination and in her most important proposal--REVOLUTIONIZE--calls for deep changes in our habits, motivating young and old alike to make a difference, together. An artificial and almost indestructible species, Plasticus maritimus deserves to have its days numbered! Together, we can send it packing.

"A cleverly conceived and comprehensive introduction to a serious issue."-- Kirkus Reviews

Honorable Mention--Bologna Ragazzi Award

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.

Author Notes

Ana Pgo is a marine biologist and is involved in environmental education projects that combine science and art to raise people's awareness about the need to conserve the ocean. She created Plasticus Maritimus --an ongoing project and Facebook page, where she gives regular updates on her findings.

Isabel Minhs Martins graduated in Communication Design from Lisbon College of Fine Arts and co-founder of the Portuguese publisher Planeta Tangerina. She the author of numerous books, including When I Was Born .

Bernardo P. Cavalho is an award-winning illustrator and co-founder of the Portuguese publisher, Planeta Tangerina.