Kathy Piehl
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My Bones
Suitable additions for collections needing simple introductions to body systems.
In each book, light stories provide context for two young children having contrived discussions of human anatomy. The factual information is basic, with spot illustrations showing body segments; a final "Body by the Numbers" diagram rehashes the material. Full-page computer-generated illustrations accompanying the story lines are oddly distorted, especially in depictions of facial features and hair. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Inside My Body titles: My Bones, My Brain, My Stomach, My Heart, My Lungs, and My Muscles.
Dirt or Soil: What's the Difference?
Collections in need of more resources about soil may want to add What's Soil Made Of? but won't need to invest in the entire series.
In a series that explores soil science, these accessible volumes explain how organic and inorganic substances enrich soil, how animal behavior contributes to its composition, and the differences between dirt and soil (e.g., plants can't grow in dirt). Well-labeled close-up photos and diagrams enhance the accessible texts. A "Science Lab" section at the end of each book contains a related soil experiment. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Down & Dirty: The Secrets of Soil titles: Dirt or Soil, How Do Animals Help Make Soil, and What's Soil Made Of?.
100 Trillion Good Bacteria Living in the Human Body
Flashy designs and mind-boggling statistics may pique browsers' interest in these topics, but they should double-check facts in additional sources.
Facts about geology and geography are presented through numbers that measure them, including topics such as atmospheric temperatures and geographic distances; geologic time; the lengths of rivers and depths of the ocean; and the amounts of sand, water, and people on earth. Each crowded two-page spread is filled with colorful illustrations of the features and a few small photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Cloud Cover
Among these lackluster offerings, Precipitation is the best choice for collections needing an easy reader about weather.
What Happens If the Ozone Disappears?
Fans of dystopian novels and films may relish the support for their pessimistic views offered by these compelling but unsettling glimpses of possible futures.
These titles present worst-case scenarios for each topic. Clear explanations of general problems come first, followed by chapters with specifics (e.g., oil drilling, pesticides) in text blocks. Increasingly dire projections for future decades and centuries are interspersed, complete with dystopian headlines. Small, individual mitigations are suggested on the last pages. Color photographs, charts, and other visuals fill busy spreads. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Unstable Earth titles: What Happens if the Ozone Disappears?, What Happens if the Rain Forests Disappear?, What Happens if We Overfish the Oceans?, and What Happens When an Ice Cap Melts?.
Coconut
First-purchase considerations for most collections.
Each book asks: "How did it get that way?" A very simple text then focuses on the botanical science of its subject as it grows from a seed into its various stages, each illustrated by bright, clearly labeled photographs. Kids with green thumbs will enjoy learning about these common items in their yards or on their plates. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these See It Grow titles: Cranberry, Coconut, [cf2f]Pumpkin, [cf]Oak Tree, Sunflower, and Apple.
Dynamic Planet: Exploring Changes on Earth with Science Projects
Good choices for project-oriented earth science learning.
This series explores earth and meteorological science concepts, including geological processes such as erosion and the physical properties of wind and water. Brief explanations, heavy on bolded vocabulary words, are paired with standard hands-on activities (e.g., stream models and baking soda volcanoes). Although the directions and photographs are straightforward, some projects are elaborate and their related concepts aren't always clear. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Discover Earth Science titles: Dynamic Planet and All About Earth.
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