"Artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi saw a problem, took action, and now uses her work to educate others, something readers might be inspired to do by this book. Introductory pages describe how Pozzi saw trash on the beach near her Oregon town and enlisted the help of locals to gather it and create giant sculptures of marine animals. Pozzi then created Washed Ashore, an organization that teaches youngsters how trash harms marine animals. Following the introduction, Crull introduces readers to 14 of the sculptures created by Pozzi and her volunteers, such as a giant Pacific octopus, a rockhopper penguin, and a sea jelly. Clear, close-up photographs show the creations looking fascinating but also suitably forlorn. Each is accompanied by details on the animal in question, how it is endangered by garbage, and how to help--easy-to-implement tips include, for example, eating ice cream from a cone rather than using a plastic spoon. Readers at the younger end of the grade range will enjoy searching the images for the items shown beneath each photo and learning how to make their own art from trash, while a section of more advanced activities, such as keeping a field journal, might appeal more to older students. An excellent work on an unusual topic and a must for school and library shelves.

"--starred, Booklist.