Google Aral Sea. I love it when I non-fiction book aimed at children 9-12 years “schools” me!
Phew. Lots of information about the fashion industry packed into this well planned and well researched book that is perfectly suited to its intended age group. Teachers! Order it and put it on your classroom shelves. Let your students see the impact of “fast fashion.” See them learn about environmental impact. Use this book as a resource tool across all subjects.
Encourage students to use their creativity in their wardrobe choices. Encourage them to look at clothing choices differently. Maybe even start a second hand clothing swap in your classrooms. A fun, informative learning unit in the making.
I loved this book.
Thank you Orca Book Publishers for an important book and one that will hopefully resonant with young people as they make choices about what they wear.

Fashion Forward is a non-fiction middle grade book that provides a primer on the issues about fast fashion for younger readers. I like how the book introduces some topics that may not usually be included in books about fashion but would be interesting for discussion, such as gendered clothing and animal welfare. This would be a great option for kids who are interested in learning more about sustainability.

This non-fiction text is perfect for all ages, but especially middle grade readers. While the title is Fashion Forward, we as a society all wear clothes and rely on natural resources, so this book should be required reading whether you are interested in fashion or not.

I really appreciate that the author breaks down the history of clothing and textiles, the materials that are used for clothing, the environmental implications of manufacturing clothing, and the modern implications of fast fashion. The book uses appealing photographs and captions to highlight important points and calls the reader to join in advocacy for the issues that occur as a result of our quest for the latest fashions.

I highly recommend this book for all classrooms and libraries.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy!

“Helping the planet never goes out of style.”

This book takes a look at the current state of the fashion industry with hopes of explaining the importance of sustainable style. While it is written for children between the ages of 9-12, the book contains valuable information and solutions for people of any age. The book is broken up into 4 main chapters. It starts with the earliest days of fashion, moves into current trends, and examines the future of the industry.

I was glad to see that the author included prevalent discussions in the “present/current” chapters such as cultural appropriation and gender stereotyping.

There is a helpful list of some ethical clothing brands along with what to look for in a clothing company. The glossary of terms at the end of the book is beneficial in explaining any concepts that children may find confusing.

Fashion Forward: Striving for Sustainable Style would be an excellent addition to any classroom or homeschool curriculum.