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Plight of the Pelican

How Science Saved a Species

Part of Books for a Better Earth

Author Jessica Stremer
Illustrated by Gordy Wright
Ebook
Holiday House
10"W x 8"H
On sale Apr 01, 2025 | 40 Pages | 9780823462094
Grades K-3
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
A richly illustrated nonfiction picture book celebrating how scientists and activists can work together to create change and protect wildlife, making the world safer for creatures both big and small.

How do you save a species? Start at the edges of the food chain.

In the 1950s, the brown pelican went from thriving to barely surviving. The culprit was DDT: a harmful pesticide that seeped into soil, spread in the water, festered in small fish, and ultimately caused the pelican population to plummet. Scientists sounded the alarm, but faced pushback from farmers who relied on DDT to control pesky pests. 

It required many voices joining together, demanding change, before the government took action. Thanks to these efforts, we now have the EPA and the Endangered Species Act, which continue to protect wildlife threatened by climate change.

This thrilling and inspirational nonfiction picture book introduces young readers to bioaccumulation, endangered species, and one of the biggest grassroots movements of our time. It connects the success of the pelican’s regrowth with conservation efforts in place today, such as pollinator gardens, wildlife corridors, and much more.

Sweeping illustrations depict the brown pelican’s journey from near extinction to a robust, populous species. Back matter includes more details on the EPA, a glossary, and an index.
Jessica Stremer is a children’s book writer with a background in biology and ecology. Her passion lies in inspiring curiosity, wonder, and respect for our natural world. Jessica’s debut picture book, Great Carrier Reef, also illustrated by Gordy Wright, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection and received two starred reviews. She lives in Wisconsin with her family.

Gordy Wright is an illustrator and printmaker who paints by hand in gouache and acrylic. Recent projects include Wild In the Streets by Marilyn Singer, and Strange But True by Kathryn Hulic, as well as Great Carrier Reef, by Jessica Stremer, which received two starred reviews. Gordy graduated with a first class degree in illustration from the University of the West of England, and lives in Bristol.

  • Kids who love nature documentaries and subscribe to Nat Geo Kids
  • Elementary school educators and librarians looking for uplifting and informative books about the environment
  • Families in coastal towns or with summer beach houses
  • Fans of other titles in Holiday House’s Books for a Better Earth collection
Jessica Stremer View titles by Jessica Stremer
Gordy Wright View titles by Gordy Wright

About

A richly illustrated nonfiction picture book celebrating how scientists and activists can work together to create change and protect wildlife, making the world safer for creatures both big and small.

How do you save a species? Start at the edges of the food chain.

In the 1950s, the brown pelican went from thriving to barely surviving. The culprit was DDT: a harmful pesticide that seeped into soil, spread in the water, festered in small fish, and ultimately caused the pelican population to plummet. Scientists sounded the alarm, but faced pushback from farmers who relied on DDT to control pesky pests. 

It required many voices joining together, demanding change, before the government took action. Thanks to these efforts, we now have the EPA and the Endangered Species Act, which continue to protect wildlife threatened by climate change.

This thrilling and inspirational nonfiction picture book introduces young readers to bioaccumulation, endangered species, and one of the biggest grassroots movements of our time. It connects the success of the pelican’s regrowth with conservation efforts in place today, such as pollinator gardens, wildlife corridors, and much more.

Sweeping illustrations depict the brown pelican’s journey from near extinction to a robust, populous species. Back matter includes more details on the EPA, a glossary, and an index.

Author

Jessica Stremer is a children’s book writer with a background in biology and ecology. Her passion lies in inspiring curiosity, wonder, and respect for our natural world. Jessica’s debut picture book, Great Carrier Reef, also illustrated by Gordy Wright, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection and received two starred reviews. She lives in Wisconsin with her family.

Gordy Wright is an illustrator and printmaker who paints by hand in gouache and acrylic. Recent projects include Wild In the Streets by Marilyn Singer, and Strange But True by Kathryn Hulic, as well as Great Carrier Reef, by Jessica Stremer, which received two starred reviews. Gordy graduated with a first class degree in illustration from the University of the West of England, and lives in Bristol.

  • Kids who love nature documentaries and subscribe to Nat Geo Kids
  • Elementary school educators and librarians looking for uplifting and informative books about the environment
  • Families in coastal towns or with summer beach houses
  • Fans of other titles in Holiday House’s Books for a Better Earth collection
Jessica Stremer View titles by Jessica Stremer
Gordy Wright View titles by Gordy Wright

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