If We Were Gone

Imagining the World without People

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 1

Water, air, sunlight, plants . . . we need these elements to live in this world. But does the world need us? And what would happen to the world if humans were gone? This is the premise of a thought-provoking picture book from John Coy. His insightful text explores how nature would reclaim the planet, accompanied by Natalie Capannelli’s gorgeous watercolor illustrations. Back matter gives further context and discusses what kids (and all of us) can do to truly help our planet.

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978-1-5415-2357-9
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Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 1
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Expository Literature
Copyright 2020
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2020-03-03
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF051080, JNF065000, JNF037020
Dewey 304.2
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 500
Guided Reading Level N
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Original artwork, and Reviewed

Awards

  • Green Earth Book Award, Long-listed, 2021

Reviews

Publishers Weekly

“In this disturbingly beautiful dystopian meditation, Coy uses direct and dreamy language, encouraging readers to imagine a world without humans.”—Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

“The text and Capannelli’s double-page watercolor spreads work together to paint a vivid picture of the harm unleashed on the world by humans . . .”—School Library Journal

Denis Hayes

“It’s remarkably easy to imagine the earth without people, but not vice versa. John Coy makes a simple, compelling case for protecting our home planet.”—Denis Hayes, national coordinator of the first Earth Day and environmental advocate