Oil Spill Cleaner

Children's Literature - Hazel Buys

Oil production is essential for our way of life; but producing oil carries many costs. One cost is the disastrous effects of oil spills, both on land and on or under the sea. Cleaning up after an oil spill must begin immediately, be effective and thorough. But the approach to the clean-up and the tools best employed depend on the location of the spill, the climate, the weather and even the animal life impacted. The nature of the work, the training required and personal characteristics most conducive to life as an oil spill cleaner, called a "thinking person's job," are explained succinctly in text that is packed with facts and interesting information. Sidebars in contrasting colors expand on or present a new or unusual fact related to the content. Photographs with fact-filled captions, bright colors and a high-contrast lay-out add to the appeal and lighten the science-dense content. Women as well as men are represented working on oil spills and cleaning/saving animals. The text is well-distilled and its abbreviated nature does not sacrifice quality of the information. This book, part of the "Dirty and Dangerous Jobs" series, concludes with a glossary, a list of books and related web sites and an index and is recommended for an upper elementary or middle school library, science and technology classroom or class on career exploration. Reviewer: Hazel Buys