Book Bundles: Our Home Planet

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Confident readers who love facts will appreciate the wide ranging (sometimes random) information about rocks and minerals in this leveled reader, which is organized in short, accessible chapters. There is a breathless excitement to much of the writing: "Humans even have to eat a mineral--salt--to survive!" The enthusiastic text is well supported by lots of captioned stock photos in a lively design that lends itself to browsing. In addition to two double-page spreads featuring "25 Facts About Rocks and Gems," all one hundred facts are reviewed in one very long list at book's end. An index is also included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Cerullo opens her exploration of the science of volcanoes with a compelling description of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii. Subsequent chapters explore the role volcanoes played in the formation of Earth, how volcanoes erupt, and the science of predicting volcanic activity. With clear text, fascinating details, and dramatic photographs, the volume succeeds in providing solid information for a wide range of readers. A select bibliography, glossary, and index (unseen) are appended.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 As he did with Animals by the Numbers, Jenkins uses his signature cut-paper collage combined with computer-generated graphics and informative text to make complex information accessible. Topics include both natural and human-made disasters, including volcanic eruptions, disease, drought, and famine. In many cases, Jenkins makes connections among them, explaining, for example, that natural disasters like drought are exacerbated by human activity (e.g., war), making famines more destructive. A glossary and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth