The Plastic Pollution Adventure

Santa’s Rescue Elves, Book One

Children - Preschool
34 Pages
Reviewed on 04/18/2018
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Plastic Pollution Adventure, Santa’s Rescue Elves, Book One is an educational picture book for preschool children written by Monty J. McClaine and illustrated by Abira Daz. Way up at the North Pole, there’s a special team of elves that are kept in peak condition year-round for the all-important task of being Santa’s Rescue Elves. The Relves, as they are known, are ready to step in and save the day if something happens to Santa on his Christmas Eve delivery rounds. Mrs. Claus keeps them trained and ready for any emergency by giving them special assignments. Those assignments can take them to anywhere on the globe as Relves must be prepared to rescue Santa wherever he may have problems. Their task for today is taking place in the Pacific Ocean. They’ve been informed that Santa’s sleigh sank beneath the waves and is now on the ocean floor. Their challenge -- recover the sleigh and any toys it may contain.

Monty J. McClaine’s educational picture book for children, The Plastic Pollution Adventure, Santa’s Rescue Elves, Book One introduces readers to a dynamic new team of search and rescue elves: Sparkle, Holly, Jack and Charlie, and I loved seeing how the four Relves work together to assist the stranded baby animals they encounter. McClaine’s story eloquently addresses plastic pollution, an issue of extreme importance, in a way that gets kids involved in recycling and reuse. Drawing on the real life tragedy of floating garbage islands in the Pacific, the author draws attention to the things kids can do to help make it better. I especially appreciated his use of the dreaded six-pack plastic rings which do so much damage to animals and the environment. It seems no matter how many of those annoying rings I pick up and duly cut up, there are always dozens more to properly dispose of. I loved McClaine’s Super Speed Sam series for children, and am thrilled to see he and his brilliant illustrator, Abira Daz, have dreamt up a new set of characters with what promise to be exciting adventures. The Plastic Pollution Adventure, Santa’s Rescue Elves, Book One is most highly recommended.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

Have you ever wondered what would happen to Santa Claus if he ran into trouble on his once a year jaunt around the earth? Well, the North Pole has a rescue system in place for such unwanted and unexpected events. This rescue system involves a team of Santa’s Rescue Elves, or Relves for short. These Relves are highly trained in their ability to rescue him anywhere in the world under any condition. And why is that? Because they are sent to different locations throughout the year to train. Their most recent expedition took them to the Pacific Ocean where, instead of enjoying the sights of fascinating marine life, they discovered a plastic island, covered in all kinds of discarded plastic items. And, they also found three young creatures trapped in various plastic items. Relves to the rescue! But they also realized that this is a far bigger problem than just the three creatures that they rescued.

Monty J. McClaine has a clever way of educating young readers in the art of recycling. His colorful (illustrated by the very talented Abira Das) picture book story, The Plastic Pollution Adventure, takes young readers on a journey of discovery. When the Relves find the plastic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, young readers learn along with the Relves the shocking truth about humans and plastic. The story will make young readers more cognisant of the plastic items they use on a daily basis: plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic cups – the list is endless. Hopefully by teaching the younger generation to recycle, they, in turn, can teach their elders, perhaps by example. A wonderful way to introduce the growing concerns of pollution and the need to be diligent about recycling. Well done!

Patricia Reding

Santa’s rescue elves have their work cut out for them in The Plastic Pollution Adventure, by Monty J. McClaine, when they are sent out to various places around the world in the event that Santa should break down somewhere along his way. This time, elves sent to the mid-Pacific intend to explore under the deep blue sea. Much to their surprise, however, they come across a mysterious island, made of and filled with all sorts of plastic bottles and other items. Suddenly, out from the midst of the plastic island-mountain, comes a cry for help. Young readers will be delighted by the creatures the elves find, while no doubt disturbed by the plastic trappings in which the poor baby animals find themselves. Luckily, Santa’s elves are able to save the day!

In The Plastic Pollution Adventure, Monty J. McClaine, with the aid of his illustrator, Abira Das, brings a lesson home to young ones about the dangers of pollution in general, and of pollution caused by plastic bottles and bags in particular. In addition, children will learn the main method for avoiding the problem in the first place, which is to say that people should use recycling bins. It was also wise of McClaine to add to his story that Santa’s elves not only discover the problem, they do something about it. That is, they clear the offending materials away and deliver them to recycling bins elsewhere. Parents and teachers will find this a valuable resource for use at home and in the classroom when discussing environmental issues.