Join the No-Plastic Challenge! First Book of Reducing Waste

Scot Ritchie’s Join the No-Plastic Challenge, the seventh volume in the “Exploring Our Community” series, introduces children to environmental awareness and ecology. The book has 15 chapters of Nick’s sharing with his friends his newly learned knowledge about how plastic is created, why we should limit plastic use, and what practical steps we can take to prevent further environmental problems caused by the use of plastics in our daily lives. “It’s Nick’s birthday, and the five friends are taking the ferry to the island for a picnic. Nick has been learning about plastic pollution, and he’s given his friends a challenge: to go all day without using single-use plastics.” (p. 4)

Join the No-Plastic Challenge teaches children about how, both positively and negatively, our daily behavior and small actions can impact our environment, including the lives of animals and ourselves. The book encourages children to understand that our actions intended to improve our lives (i.e. the creation of plastic allowed us to have useful items) can bring negative consequence (i.e. plastic pollution) with it.

Further, Join the No-Plastic Challenge offers children insights into how our collaborative efforts in preventing plastic pollution can be fun and enjoyable. For instance, at Nick’s birthday party, instead of using balloons for decorations, Nick and his friends decorate using kites and steamers made of natural materials. Richie provides examples of how adults can participate in plastic pollution prevention with children. For example, “Nick’s mom wraps food in waxed paper and uses glass jars for storage.” (p. 6).”

Join the No-Plastic Challenge provides readers with fun ideas to challenge their friends to go one whole day without using single-use plastics. Ritchie provides readers with suggestions on how to get started ( Grow your own food, choose wooden or cloth toys, don’t buy bottled water and say no thanks to single-use plastics such as straws, cups, containers, cutlery, and bags) while leaving room for readers to plan their own projects in joining the No-Plastic Challenge. “What other ways can you stop or reduce plastic use?” (p. 31)

In illustrating Join the No-Plastic Challenge, Ritchie employs the same fun cartoon-style that he has previously used in the earlier books in the series.