Synopsis
Part of the If Animals Disappeared collection. A healthy ocean is home to many different kinds of animals. They can be big, like a whale, tiny, like a shrimp, and even scary, like a shark. Even though sharks can be scary, we need them to keep the oceans healthy. Unfortunately, due to overfishing, many shark species are in danger of extinction, and that can cause big problems in the oceans and even on land. What would happen if this continued and sharks disappeared completely? Artist Lily Williams explores how the disappearance would affect other animals across the whole planet in this book about the importance of keeping sharks, and our oceans, healthy.- ★★★★☆
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- The study of science provides opportunities to learn about Allah’s ﷻ design as a way to get to know Him while also learning about an important tenet in Islam—serving as guardians of this Earth. We have been entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the Earth and the resources that Allah ﷻ has provided.
- Children may have questions related to the Big Bang shown on the timeline and also defined in the glossary. It is a theory which could explain the mechanism through which Allah ﷻ created our universe. However, it is a theory and Allah ﷻ alone knows how the universe was truly created.
- Children may have questions related to evolution. Evolution is a theory that could explain the mechanism through which Allah ﷻ allows so many different species of animals to live on Earth. As for humans, point out that Allah ﷻ tells us He specially created our father Adam, peace be upon him, out of clay and put his soul into him and we are his direct descendants.
- What is a food chain? What is an ecosystem?
- Why are sharks important to the oceans? How are apex predators important to their ecosystems?
- Name all the oceans where sharks can be found.
- How is overfishing causing a problem for sharks?
- Removal of a shark’s fin (for soup) usually leads to death—either from blood loss or the inability to swim. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ kindness and consideration towards the mental and physical well-being of animals was exemplary. How would he feel about this practice?
- What is the very first thing anyone can do to help sharks? Learn, learn, learn.
- What does it mean to be a conscious consumer?
- How can buying sustainable seafood help sharks?
Mindful Muslim Review
This series combines vivid illustrations with a gentle introduction to ecology—a branch of biology which focuses on understanding organisms and their habitats. This series can be used as a tool to deepen the understanding and reverence of the ecosystems Allah ﷻ has created, the interdependencies of Allah’s ﷻ creations, and the potentially devastating impact our choices can make on the environment. The glossary along with the background information and the Author’s Note found in the back of the book reinforce related concepts and introduce the importance of conscious consumption—a vital concept to instill in children early on.
Mindful Muslim Reader recommends additional books in this collection.
Teaching Tools
Genres: Educational, Nonfiction, STEM
Series: If Animals Disappeared
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.
