Take heart, take action by Beci Orpin

Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780734419866. 24p.
(Age: 5+) Recommended. A bright beautifully designed book, the 20 catchy phrases in Take heart, take action will have readers determined to make the world a better place. The twenty ideas contained in this picture book are illustrated on a single page each and written on a solid colour background with the thick dark words inside a picture that signifies what the action means. The reader will see a yellow sun with the words 'Use Clean Energy' typed around it, the words 'Plant Trees' are inside a stylised tree, while 'Eat Less Meat' is inside a mushroom and 'Save Water' inside a green water drop.
The illustrations are strong and memorable as are the ideas and there is something there for every reader to take away. Ideas range from advice to be kind, show compassion, recycle, support local and ride a bike. At the back is a small picture of the advice and a paragraph describing what the phrase means and what could be done to put it into action. For example in 'Consume Less', the readers could buy less, or buy second hand, asking themselves if they really need the new item.
This book would make a wonderful aid for a library or classroom teacher or parent to display and discuss ideas with children. I can see it being used as a handbook to remind everyone what can be done to improve the Earth and that every individual can do something, even small, to make our planet a better place to live in.
Themes: Hope, Sustainability, Personal growth.
Pat Pledger