Book Review: “Black Beach: A Community, an Oil Spill, and the Origin of Earth Day” by Shaunna and John Stith

Recommended reading age: 6 to 9 (though kids of all ages can enjoy reading this with their families)

What Makes This One of the Best Children’s Books

Recycling bins and compost heaps weren’t always a common sight across America – and many kids (and adults) might be unaware of the significant events that led to environmentalism becoming a part of our country’s culture. They won’t likely forget these events, however, after reading Shaunna and John Stith’s compelling “Black Beach.”

This book not only gives kids a close-up look at the impact of a real-life, man-made natural disaster, but it also shows the importance of humans taking responsibility for the planet we all call home.

Many children will easily relate to the book’s charming beginning, showing kids in 1969 Santa Barbara happily playing at their local beach. Then later back at home, little girl Sam learns from her parents that something disastrous has occurred: an oil spill caused by Union Oil has ravaged their beloved ocean and beach.

The story clearly demonstrates how such an environmental disaster can impact humans and animals alike. Not only is the community’s cherished beach transformed into a murky, black nightmare, but the animals that call it home are trapped and maimed.

The book doesn’t just focus on the negative, though. Instead, it emphasizes how people can directly impact the environment by taking action – and taking a stand.

First, locals band together to clean and tend to the coated animals. Then, providing an energizing example of activism, the kids send bottles of oil from the spill to politicians, hoping to inspire environmental protection laws. 

This helps attract more attention to the spill, and even earns a visit from President Richard Nixon. Eventually, a senator also visits and pushes for the creation of Earth Day to promote conservation efforts.

The story further shows how one success can spawn another. It depicts large groups of people protesting on the first Earth Day about improving air and water quality, which would eventually lead to the passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water acts. 

The new Earth Day holiday also leads main character Sam to learn new ways of helping the environment. In a colorful play-by-play for young readers to emulate, she begins recycling, composting and planting trees. 

This book will give kids an authentic glimpse of how disastrous an impact humans can have on nature – and also how much they can help it, if they make the effort.

How My Child Reacted to This Book

My son in preschool was riveted by this book. He had never seen images of an oil spill before, and was intensely curious about Maribel Lechuga’s straightforward illustrations of black-coated animals. He asked many questions about how an oil spill can happen, and why it has the effects depicted in the book. He has also long wanted to play on a beach, and was eager to look at the pictures of kids on the clean shore. 

I’m sure older children, especially those who have visited a beach or care about animals, will feel a strong connection with this book’s message.

Potential Conversations and Activities to Pair with This Book

Families can easily combine “Black Beach” with valuable conversations about the importance of protecting the environment. They can discuss the impact of pollution, and simple steps kids can take to help.

The book makes this easy, by providing a list of ways people can improve the environment, such as cleaning up litter, taking shorter showers and drinking from reusable water bottles.

This also provides an opportunity to discuss the history of environmentalism in America, and how activism can make a difference. The book provides a timeline of how this historic disaster led to the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act, as well as the banning of dangerous insecticide DDT. 

Families can even prompt their kids to brainstorm changes they would like to see in their community, and how they can help make that happen.

More Children’s Books Like This

‘The Big Beach Cleanup’ – A Girl Rallies to Protect the Environment

‘Sofia Valdez, Future Prez’ – An Empowering Story of Kid Activism

‘Finding Lincoln’ – A Boy Takes a Stand in a Segregated Town