Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 25 books for children and adults, with translations in eight languages. She is best known for her science books for children, especially her astronomy titles and interest in everything outer space. Her books have won and been nominated for numerous awards, including the Moonbeam Children's Book, Crystal Kite, Skipping Stones, Rocky Mountain Book, Red Cedar Book and Hackmatack Awards, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature and others. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Joan lives near Edmonton.

Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book examines how garbage hurts animals and their habitats. Illustrated with photographs throughout.