A Warmer World: From Polar Bears to Butterflies, How Climate Change Affects Wildlife

Arnold explores global warming by focusing on how it directly affects several species and their habitats. Some animals, like Edith’s checkerspot butterfly, are forced to migrate north because temperatures in southern areas have become too warm for the plants that they require for survival. Polar bears have less time to hunt as a result of earlier spring melts, and walruses are left with fewer and fewer floating ice chunks to use as “platforms” while at sea. Hogan handsomely portrays the animals using charcoal pencil and pastel. Arnold doesn’t sugarcoat the potential effects of climate change, plainly stating that the “loss in biodiversity could be devastating.” Ages 7–10. (Feb.)