(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. An unusual book about urban innovations, full of engaging color photos from different countries, including many from the author's Canadian hometown of Victoria, British Columbia. Young people will get ideas for projects they could recreate in their own neighborhood--murals, street libraries, community gardens, knitted decorative tree coverings, and more--and may even be inspired to get involved in local politics. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. Divided into four chapters, this title explores the intersection of nature and cities: times when nature comes uninvited (e.g., coyotes, bears) and times when city planners work to bring it back (removing pavement and creating green spaces). Plenty of well-captioned, fascinating photos illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. This book examines the history of money; the economic and environmental impacts of consumerism and consumption, including child labor and pollution; and alternative systems such as "sweat equity," bartering, microlending, and tool and toy libraries. Plenty of well-captioned photos--including some showing kids involved in Habitat for Humanity and growing food for the hungry--illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. Four chapters study garbage, looking at how waste and methods of "removal" have changed and how to reduce waste in general. Mulder shares innovative ideas to make use of trash, such as a Paraguayan music teacher constructing his students' instruments from found objects. Well-captioned photos, including some of the author's family, illustrate and personalize the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. Divided into four chapters, this book explores the history of water use by humans; the natural cycle of water on earth; how people access, clean, and desalinate water; and ways in which we can conserve and preserve our water resources. Plenty of well-captioned photos, including some from the author's own travels, illustrate and personalize the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. Divided into four chapters, this book covers topics such as the drawbacks of fossil fuels; renewable energy sources (e.g., wind and solar); and newer ideas for fuel, including algae, fungus, and human waste. Plenty of well-captioned photos, from a Dutch windmill to a dog-poop "digester" that powers lights at an urban park, illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. Divided into four chapters, this book looks at the history and anatomy of the bicycle, and explores reasons for its use, such as low cost and environmental impact. Well-captioned photos that show the unusual ways in which bikes have been put to work--from bicycle soccer in Europe to bicycle ambulances in Namibia--illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey