Review Detail

OUR CITIES DEPEND ON US is a picture book for young readers from 4 and up. Travel from Singapore to the US to Australia and learn about the steps that cities are taking to try and adapt to climate change. Not only adapt, but combat. These cities are trying to find ways to become more sustainable and keep their populations safe, healthy, and happy.

The information in this book is amazing. Covering a few different US cities and several other countries, it discusses innovations from farms to medical care to gates to block the sea. The author explains the innovation and how the country hopes it will fight back against climate change. In some cases, the author even presents why people oppose these ideas. Some younger readers may struggle to understand it. The vocabulary seems to be age appropriate, but some of the concepts might not click for some readers.

The illustrations are gorgeous. Simple images that look like painted sketches, like architectural designs brought to life. This allows the illustrator and author to zoom in on areas to highlight certain aspects they want readers to notice. But it also allows them to still give a wide image of the city and the changes they are enacting.

This book is jam-packed with information. It’s not the quickest picture book, but for readers who are looking for something nonfiction it’s a perfect fit. There’s a good amount of information provided on each innovation in the book. At the back there’s a bibliography and additional websites for readers who want to learn more about climate action.

For any young reader interested in learning how cities are trying to adapt and combat climate change, OUR CITIES DEPEND ON US is a perfect read. Full of information from around the world with beautiful images to go alongside, this book will appeal to those readers.