PPBF – A River of Dust: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the virtual book launch at The Writing Barn for today’s Perfect Picture Book. I’m so happy to be sharing it with you today, International Dot Day, as the author’s and illustrator’s creativity truly shines in this new STEM picture book.

Title: A River of Dust: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon

Written By: Jilanne Hoffmann

Illustrated By: Eugenia Mello

Publisher/Date: Chronicle Books/2023

Suitable for Ages: 5-8

Themes/Topics: STEM, non-fiction, lyrical, Amazon rain forest, earth science

Opening:

Millions of years ago, no ocean lay between us. You and I were one. And then slowly, slowly, great forces tore us apart, creating seven continents surrounded by vast oceans.

Brief Synopsis:

Journey along with dust from North Africa to South America and learn how these tiny particles are essential for life in our interconnected world.

Links to Resources:

• Check out the detailed Back Matter for answers to “Questions for Curious Minds;”
• A comprehensive Educator’s Guide provides many STEAM projects and teaching aids;
• Try your hand at writing a short poem or story from the perspective of something tiny, like dust, a grain of sand, or an insect.

Why I Like this Book:

A River of Dust is a lyrical and fact-filled new picture book about a little-known phenomenon: the dust from North Africa that provides nourishing minerals to sustain the Amazon rainforest. Writing in the voice of the dust itself, Hoffmann enables the reader to follow along on this fascinating journey. Like a love letter between the continents, dust’s journey shows how we all are connected, how we all need each other, and how even the smallest among us has an important role to play in our global ecosystem.

Mello’s gorgeous illustrations capture dust’s movement and accurately reflect the land and seascapes of dust’s journey. Detailed back matter and an Educator’s Guide further enhance this must-have new picture book.

A Note about Craft:

If someone had told me that a picture book about dust from North Africa reaching and benefiting the Amazon rain forest would become one of my favorite picture books, I wouldn’t have believed it. And regular readers may have realized that non-fiction science-focused books are not generally my “go to” reading and reviewing choices. So how has Hoffmann won me over? By personifying dust and telling this story from its perspective using lyrical language, she has helped me, and I’m sure young children everywhere, feel its journey, its importance, and our connection to nature. In short, this perspective has brought heart to this topic and broadened its appeal and relevance. Combined with Mello’s illustrations that so perfectly capture dust’s motion, I’m confident A River of Dust will be reread often.