A Gift of Dust

How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet

Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
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$19.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
24 per carton
On sale May 27, 2025 | 9780593428429
Age 4-8 years
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell P
Sales rights: World

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From two award-winning creators comes a picture book that reveals the hidden wonders of how Saharan Dust impacts the world: from slowing a hurricane to nourishing a rainforest.

This dust . . .
of what lived once
sustains what lives today
and what will be born . . .
tomorrow.

An ancient catfish becomes a fossil, and as the lake where it lived dries up, the fossil turns to dust--but this isn't ordinary dust. This dust begins in Chad, West Africa, but winds carry it across the continent, over the Atlantic ocean, to nourish and replenish the Amazon rain forest and beyond. 

A Gift of Dust takes readers on a journey that shows just how interconnected our planet is, and how something so small can have such a huge impact. With lyrical, awe-inspiring verse based in fact, and stunning art from a Caldecott honoree, this is a story for our times.
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★ "This illuminating book brings an often-overlooked natural phenomenon to life....A beautiful blend of text and drawings shows the cycle of life through dust." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Light, airy illustrations dotted with golden specks float across the pages, lending a near-magical atmosphere....providing clear and fascinating scientific explanations of Saharan dust along the way." —The Horn Book, starred review

"Brockenbrough lays out a thorough, informative story....Caldecott honoree Martinez-Neal’s art is a showstopper....A natural wonder, brought to vivid life." —Kirkus Reviews

Educator Guide for A Gift of Dust

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

About

From two award-winning creators comes a picture book that reveals the hidden wonders of how Saharan Dust impacts the world: from slowing a hurricane to nourishing a rainforest.

This dust . . .
of what lived once
sustains what lives today
and what will be born . . .
tomorrow.

An ancient catfish becomes a fossil, and as the lake where it lived dries up, the fossil turns to dust--but this isn't ordinary dust. This dust begins in Chad, West Africa, but winds carry it across the continent, over the Atlantic ocean, to nourish and replenish the Amazon rain forest and beyond. 

A Gift of Dust takes readers on a journey that shows just how interconnected our planet is, and how something so small can have such a huge impact. With lyrical, awe-inspiring verse based in fact, and stunning art from a Caldecott honoree, this is a story for our times.

Photos

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Praise

★ "This illuminating book brings an often-overlooked natural phenomenon to life....A beautiful blend of text and drawings shows the cycle of life through dust." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Light, airy illustrations dotted with golden specks float across the pages, lending a near-magical atmosphere....providing clear and fascinating scientific explanations of Saharan dust along the way." —The Horn Book, starred review

"Brockenbrough lays out a thorough, informative story....Caldecott honoree Martinez-Neal’s art is a showstopper....A natural wonder, brought to vivid life." —Kirkus Reviews

Guides

Educator Guide for A Gift of Dust

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)