The environment is an essential but sometimes tough and weighty concept to grasp. This engaging nonfiction book takes readers back to the basics, offering an accessible overview of what makes up our environment, how those parts work, and why they matter. Divided into five sections―water, air, soil, energy, and climate―the book uses facts, figures, and simple language to give an overarching survey of our environment. Questions run throughout the text, creating a spirit of inquiry. Where does the water we use every day come from? What is the atmosphere? How does pollution affect soil? What is renewable energy? What influences climate? And how do we protect our planet for the future? With an appealing design and simple drawings and diagrams to support comprehension, this book takes a positive spin on the environment, reinforcing the importance of taking care of each element. Informational text features include a table of contents, sidebars, diagrams, and glossary. "We need to know about our environment―water, air, soil, energy, and climate―in order to understand how and why it is changing." ― Kirkus Reviews "This informative book, translated from the original French edition, succinctly explains different facets of the world's environment." ― Booklist "A worthwhile addition to library environmental science collections. This work is very comprehensive and accessible for the targeted age group." ― School Library Journal "In this useful resource, Pasquet concisely yet comprehensively explains the significance of five 'essential' environmental elements―water, air, soil, energy, and climate―each of which receive a chapter detailing their importance to humans." ― Publishers Weekly "The accessible design invites browsing and also makes this nonfiction book a useful classroom resource." ― Canadian Review of Materials "This is a very helpful, and well-designed resource for middle grade students who want to know and understand how our environment works." ― Sal's Fiction Addiction A back-to-basics overview of our environment A back-to-basics overview of our environment JACQUES PASQUET is a French writer, storyteller, and performer who has written many books for both kids and adults, including My Wounded Island, a picture book about climate change in the Arctic. He was a lecturer in the Department of Literary Studies at the Université du Québec à Montréal for many years. He lives in Montréal, Québec Born in France, YVES DUMONT graduated from the School of Graphic Research (ERG) in Brussels in 1999, and then moved to Quebec in 2008 to pursue his art. He has illustrated more than fifty books for children. He lives and works in Montreal. Shelley Tanaka is a fiction editor at Groundwood Books, an award-winning author of nonfiction books for children, and a translator. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.