Has 2020 been the craziest year ever? Consider how many significant events have taken place. To begin with, a deadly coronavirus has swept the planet. It has killed more than 1.1 million people, devastated economies, and kept hundreds of millions of kids out of school.
Extreme weather-related events have also made headlines. High temperatures and low rainfall on the West Coast of the U.S. have helped cause the worst wildfire season ever. Siberia, a region in Russia known for its frigid weather, recorded temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time. And unusually heavy rains have led to plagues of locusts in some African countries.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has seen massive protests and endured a very contentious presidential election. This cartoon comments on an unusual year. Study it, then answer the questions.
1. Where is the cartoon set? How can you tell?
2. Who are the people shown, and what are they doing?
3. How are the books in each section alike or different? Why do you think this is?
4. Based on what the woman is saying, what message is the cartoon sending?