A world without fish? Say it isn't so.

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, a new book weaves together all the intricate threads --biology, climate, culture, economics, evolution, food, history, and politic -- that combined, makes up the rich tapestry of our world. And it …

A world without fish? Say it isn't so.
Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, a new book weaves together all the intricate threads --biology, climate, culture, economics, evolution, food, history, and politic -- that combined, makes up the rich tapestry of our world. And it does so gorgeously.

With fish. Written by Mark Kurlansky, a former commercial fisherman New York Times best-selling author, and all around cool guy, World Without Fish is a captivating (fish) tale. It explains for both adults and kids how the fish we most commonly eat may very well be gone in another 50 years, unless there is a profound shift our eating - and fishing -- habits. 

World Without Fish isn't dry, though it is meticulously researched (it just earned a "recommend" rating from Scientific American) and clocks in just under a daunting 180-pages, so it's probably best suited for kids ages 9 and up. Your ichthyology mileage may vary. The book is chock-full of fish facts (I'll bet you didn't know that jellyfish are considered the cockroaches of the sea) and has an engaging 12-page, full-color graphic novel woven throughout.

While the concerns raised about the ocean environment are indeed alarming, the message is one of empowerment and action. I'm gifting a copy of this valuable resource to my middle schooler's classroom, stat. - Barbara
Find
World Without Fish from our affiliate Amazon  
 

More in KidsView all picks →

shannon hale princess in black book and author

Q&A with children’s book author Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the bestselling author behind The Princess in Black series. It's a favorite early chapter book series for kids ages 5–8 and boys love it as much as girls do. Her newest book, Princess in Black and the Trick or Treating Trouble, comes out just in time for Halloween. We talked with her about it as part of our Q&A author series and asked about a few of her favorite things too.

Explore Build-a-Bear

Some Not-So-Spooky Fun this Halloween

How can Build-A-Bear be used for Halloween costumes? Let kids create a spooky Build-A-Bear sidekick to incorporate into their costume, which can help the costume be enjoyed beyond Halloween.

Barnes & Noble is already packed with gift-worthy finds

Gifts to get in the bag before December, at Barnes & Noble

Should I start my holiday shopping at Barnes & Noble now? Yes Barnes & Noble already has a broad holiday selection (toys, LEGO, puzzles, games, stationery, advent calendars, and books) so shopping early gives you more options and time.