PPBF: The Great Stink

Author: Colleen Paeff
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, 2021
Age: 4-8
Themes: sewerage, Bazalgette, London

Opening: see full spread below.

Summary: (from my library’s catalog) This funny and informative picture book tells the story of Joseph Bazalgette, a 19th century engineer who designed London’s first comprehensive sewage system. In doing so, he saved thousands of lives from cholera outbreaks that regularly plagued the city. This STEM-focused story provides a window into the past and shows how one invention went on to affect generations to come-and teaches kids how they can prevent pollution in their own neighborhoods today.

I picked this book because: I was also thrilled to see what illustrator Nancy Carpenter had done with the cover, and could hardly wait to discover the magic I knew she would bring to my Soaring20s pal’s debut picture book. I was not disappointed, and sublimely surprised at what Colleen conjured with the text! Amazing how the two of them could bring so many gross AND fun facts to life with humor and enthusiasm! Definitely worth your while!

Resources/activities: I generally dislike suggesting more screen time, but these two videos are fascinating: 10mins on Bazalgette’s work HERE, and another 59min video that presents very interesting research on what’s going on with waste water development today.

For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.