One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart, who incidentally is not related, is a wonderful fictional tale based on real events that occurred in the Gulf Oil Spill. Nancy simply yet entertainingly shares the story of Bella and Britt who see first hand the devastating effects of the disaster on the surro... more

One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart, who incidentally is not related, is a wonderful fictional tale based on real events that occurred in the Gulf Oil Spill. Nancy simply yet entertainingly shares the story of Bella and Britt who see first hand the devastating effects of the disaster on the surrounding ecology. Particularly concerned about the wildlife in the area, Bella and Britt keep a close eye on the old crooked beak pelican that is a long time fixture on the beach they love. When the pelican becomes covered in oil, the girls race to find help. One Pelican at a Time is a great book for teaching children the importance of taking care of the environment around us. As Miss Stewart so aptly points out in the author notes, we only have one world and we need to cherish it.

Since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, residents have struggled with the harm to their beaches, wildlife, and economy. In Nancy Stewart’s book, One Pelican at a Time, the effects of the spill are revealed. The children are told they cannot help. Observers of the devastatio... more

Since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, residents have struggled with the harm to their beaches, wildlife, and economy. In Nancy Stewart’s book, One Pelican at a Time, the effects of the spill are revealed. The children are told they cannot help. Observers of the devastation they are unable to participate in the clean up. When Bella and Brit’s friend, the old crooked beak pelican, dives into the ocean and is covered in oil, the girls spring into action. They alert workers cleaning up the beach. The workers from a bird sanctuary collect the bird and take him to a sanctuary to recover. The book opens the door to a frank discussion about man’s impact on the environment. Children hear the stories of the spill on the news and in the media, but are distant from it. A child in New York or Michigan can empathize with the people directly impacted by spill through Stewart’s book. The illustrations brilliantly depict the sorrow in the children’s faces and the oil riding the ocean’s surface and washing onto the beach. Each illustration speaks volumes about the tragedy.