Cathryn Wellner

In the Country of Plastic Cathryn Wellner

The 6th book of Small Scale Stories: Only Slightly Off Kilter is full of love letters to the planet. The photographs and their tiny stories celebrate amorous stones, lonely turtles, cheeky thistles, teasing koi, and many other characters who inhabit the world around us. Even a fire hydrant and a townhouse become characters in these short tales.

The full-color photographs are stunning on their own, but the micro stories that accompany them encourage readers to take a closer look at the world around them. This collection was inspired by an osprey pair that incorporated a big plastic bag into their nest. It flapped away all summer, like the flag on a pirate ship. The osprey did not seem to mind, though it must have rustled mightily in strong winds.

When they left, a great blue heron used their platform as a resting spot. He, too, seemed unfazed by the plastic bag.

Unfortunately, the planet is fazed by plastic, a lot. Plastic bits attract birds, then clog their bellies. Toxic chemicals leach into streams. Castoffs pile high on beaches, streets and landfills.

Plastic is everywhere and incredibly useful. We wear it, drive in it, and cook with it. Then we throw it away, to slowly degrade even into the food we eat.

And yet, this gorgeous planet keeps giving us gifts like the ones in this book. So kick back and enjoy these small scale stories. They are love letters to this beautiful world that somehow cherishes us in spite of our plastic and our carelessness.