THE AIR WE SHARE

Case studies in how air can carry small particles and other things—sometimes for surprising distances.

Aiming to raise awareness of atmospheric pollution and interest in promoting cleaner air, Romito describes three historical incidents: the eruption of Indonesia’s Krakatoa in 1883 (an example of nature itself changing the air with globe-spanning clouds of ash), the “Black Sunday” dust storm of 1935 in the U.S., and London’s “Great Smog” of 1952. The author does note that the last two—both of which were caused by humans—resulted in major government remediation efforts. But along with underestimating the understanding of her intended audience by vaguely ascribing the Dust Bowl to “a kind of farming [the land] was not meant for,” she doesn’t explain just how suggested activities such as using less energy at home or starting a neighborhood “eco-friendly campaign” might help keep the air cleaner. Also, aside from coal, she neglects to mention fossil fuels, relegates indoor pollution to a glancing reference in her author’s note, and loses the plot midcourse with a sudden switch of topic to how air carries seeds, nice odors, and animal sounds. The theme that air moves is aptly conveyed in the illustrations; Cabassa places a small, racially diverse cast of human figures in glowing images of land and sky that are lit up with swirls and spatters of color.

Brightly illustrated and well meant, but sketchy at best.