A Gift of Dust
A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet
I recently curled up with my kids and this picture book, A Gift of Dust, and it turned into a magical science story time. The book takes us on a journey from a dried-up lake in the Sahara where a fish once lived, to how its fossil dust is carried across oceans to nourish the Amazon rainforest. The idea that tiny specks of dust are actually helping forests grow, slowing hurricanes, and connecting life across the planet totally blew my kids’ minds.
What I loved most was how the author, Martha Brockenbrough, wrote in this lyrical, poetic way that felt like a bedtime story, but was full of real science. The illustrator, Juana Martinez-Neal, uses soft mixed-media art with golden specks floating across the pages, it felt dreamy and alive.
My kids kept pointing to the specks and asking where they came from, which led to a fun conversation about wind, planets, and how even something as small as dust can make a huge difference. For us, this book was a wonderful mix of wonder and learning.
What I loved most was how the author, Martha Brockenbrough, wrote in this lyrical, poetic way that felt like a bedtime story, but was full of real science. The illustrator, Juana Martinez-Neal, uses soft mixed-media art with golden specks floating across the pages, it felt dreamy and alive.
My kids kept pointing to the specks and asking where they came from, which led to a fun conversation about wind, planets, and how even something as small as dust can make a huge difference. For us, this book was a wonderful mix of wonder and learning.
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