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(2)
K-3
Gibbons applies her signature combination of impeccably accurate definitions and friendly, colorful illustrations to the topic of volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. She begins with an overview of the earth's interior and plate tectonics, explains the correlation between volcanic activity and plate boundaries (the "Ring of Fire"), and then illustrates several types of volcanoes. The eruption mechanisms of composite and underwater volcanoes are detailed, along with safety information on what to do if you find yourself near an active eruption. The final pages include descriptions of famous eruptions (Vesuvius, Hawaii, Krakatau, and Mount St. Helens). Each illustration is filled with details: cross-sections of volcano cones show their layering, and insets, captions and notations add even more terminology for curious readers.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-4324-6$18.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-8234-4323-9$8.99 New ed. (1997)
(3)
K-3
Gibbons presents a great deal of information in a deceptively simple format by combining inviting illustrations with clear writing. The concise text covers lunar phases, eclipses, tides, and a brief history of lunar exploration. The illustrations offer effective and accessible depictions of the phases of the moon and eclipse geometry. This new edition updates information gleaned from new discoveries.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-4273-7$18.99
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PaperISBN 978-0-8234-4272-0$8.99 New ed. (1995)
(4)
K-3
Simple, colorful illustrations accompany a revised text that explains the basic astronomy behind the four seasons. Activities of animals and humans, typical of each season, are pictured--visiting the beach, returning to school, hibernating, planting crops. Renderings of Earth and the sun, intended to show the cause of the seasons, are not as clear as they could have been.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-4276-8$18.99
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PaperISBN 978-0-8234-4553-0$7.99 New ed. (1988)
(3)
K-3
Gibbon's lightly updated introduction to agriculture and farming takes readers through the year, detailing seasonal "Outside Chores" and "Inside Chores." Three pages of additional information about different kinds of farms (dairy, grain, cattle, etc.) and farmers' markets conclude the book. Gibbon's trademark illustrations, with clean lines and compositions, are as accessible as ever.
(3)
K-3
Gibbons's signature labeled ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are as striking as ever. The spare text introduces flowers' many forms, environments, and life cycles as well as information about flower propagation. Final pages describe creating a flower garden and the many ways to enjoy flowers (cut, potted, etc.); "Flower Facts" are also appended.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| February, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-3966-9$17.95
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PaperISBN 978-0-8234-3967-6$7.99
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EbookISBN 978-0-8234-4084-9 New ed. (1993)
(4)
K-3
Galaxies presents a guide to our universe of stars and galaxies and includes a rudimentary history of astronomy and telescopes. Planets introduces each planet and the basic concepts of planetary motion. While these two lightly updated editions feature Gibbons's inviting, scientifically rigorous illustrations, two depictions of the solar system in Galaxies still show the outdated nine-planet model. Review covers these titles: Galaxies, Galaxies! and The Planets.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| February, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-4010-8$17.95
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PaperISBN 978-0-8234-4011-5$7.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-8234-4080-1 New ed. (2008)
(3)
K-3
In this updated edition, Gibbons describes seven dinosaur groups (prosauropods, theropods, sauropods, stegosaurs, ankylosaurs, ceratopsians, and ornithopods), pointing out common features, habits, and other interesting facts. Her signature illustrations, amiably sketchlike yet accurate, portray mainly non-scary-looking dinosaurs as well as the paleontologists who study their fossil remains. Useful phonetic pronunciations accompany the dinosaur names.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| April, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-3964-5$17.95
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PaperISBN 978-0-8234-3965-2$7.99
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EbookISBN 978-0-8234-4082-5 New ed. (2007)
(4)
K-3
Galaxies presents a guide to our universe of stars and galaxies and includes a rudimentary history of astronomy and telescopes. Planets introduces each planet and the basic concepts of planetary motion. While these two lightly updated editions feature Gibbons's inviting, scientifically rigorous illustrations, two depictions of the solar system in Galaxies still show the outdated nine-planet model. Review covers these titles: Galaxies, Galaxies! and The Planets.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| March, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-3425-1$17.95
(4)
K-3
Prolific author/illustrator Gibbons brings her characteristic friendly illustration style to transportation by road, track, air, and water. Simple, straightforward text and a plethora of labeled vehicles (on crowded pages) should appeal to aficionados of things that go. Despite slightly confusing organization, the book, with its wholesome, timeless air, pleasingly presents a wide range of modern modes of travel. Important transit symbols are appended.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-3204-2$17.95
(3)
K-3
With short, simple sentences, Gibbons presents an overview of fruit, discussing why we eat it; how it's grouped according to the type of plant it grows on, such as vines, trees, or bushes; and how it is grown, harvested, and shipped. The bright illustrations feature boxed diagrams, often with cross sections, that label the parts of many fruits. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2924-0$17.95
(3)
K-3
With her usual combination of clear sentences, cheerful pictures, and informative captions, Gibbons explains the water cycle, different kinds of rain and clouds, and storms, briefly touching on pollution's effects. A center spread features two maps showing rain patterns in North America and worldwide. Final pages explain what to do during storms and give a synopsis of rain facts. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| July, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2412-2$17.95
(3)
K-3
The book begins with a beaver family's elaborate home construction; interesting scientific information about beaver anatomy and behavior comes next; the final pages turn to conservation. Gibbons brings her distinctive treatment to the topic, filling the green-and-brown-dominant illustrations with beavers, plants, and other animals in their woods and water habitats. Capitalized vocabulary words, diagrams, and concise sentences populate each double-page spread. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2368-2$17.95
(3)
K-3
Through headings, captions, and labels, this volume presents topics such as physical characteristics, habitat, prey, predators, stages of development (eggs, larvae, pupa, ladybug), as well as the usefulness of ladybugs to humans. Although the pages are busy-looking, information is presented clearly and without being chained to a formulaic template. Larger-than-life, vibrant illustrations in rich colors complete this informative book. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| March, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2236-4$17.95
(4)
K-3
Gibbons presents another accessible, reliable, and fact-filled book complete with maps and labeled illustrations. The three species of gorillas (western lowland, eastern lowland, and mountain) are portrayed in shades of gray and black. The text is frequently lost amidst the full-bleed illustrations and sidebars. A final page provides additional information about gorillas, primatology, and conservation. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2237-1$17.95
(3)
K-3
Well-captioned, colorful illustrations in Gibbons's trademark style combine with accessible text to introduce snow. From water evaporation to the formation of ice crystals and snowflakes, the information is easy to understand. Responses to wintry weather conditions, including clean-up, safety, and play, provide additional significance for children. Tips for staying warm, being prepared, and experimenting with snow round out the friendly volume.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2234-0$17.95
(3)
K-3
Gibbons's distinctive illustrations feature these fierce and intriguing reptiles in Floridian habitats (the only place where the two species naturally coexist), accompanied by basic information about their habits, food sources, and how they raise their young. The similarities and differences between the species are highlighted; additional facts are scattered throughout the pages and collected at the end of the book.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| November, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2233-3$17.95
(4)
K-3
This book uses standard scientific terminology and vivid descriptions ("the winds are howling, the rain is pouring down...") to tell how and where hurricanes form. It details the five Saffir-Simpson Scale categories, touching on wind speed and type of damage. "Some Hurricanes Throughout History" (including Katrina) are briefly discussed. Gibbons's trademark drawings, with lots of added motion lines, illustrate the information. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| June, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2216-6$16.95
(3)
K-3
In typically detailed Gibbons style, this introduction to tornadoes illustrates what they are, how they're formed, where they generally occur, and the damage they can cause. The EF (Enhanced Fujita) Tornado Scale, used to classify the severity of the storms, is explained and shown through examples. The comprehensible text and illustrations provide adequate information without overwhelming young readers. Websites.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2156-5$17.95
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PaperISBN 978-0-8234-2157-2$6.95 New ed. (1993)
(3)
K-3
This third edition of Gibbons's book includes much information discovered since its first publication (e.g., Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet and the fact that scientists now believe that there was once water on Mars). The volume, illustrated with inviting art, is a useful, interesting, and clear resource for young astronomers.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| October, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2169-5$16.95
(3)
K-3
This introduction to corn begins with the history of the grain, first cultivated thousands of years ago by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations, then grown by Native Americans and embraced by European settlers. The text covers corn's physical characteristics, types, uses, planting, pollination, and harvesting. Autumn-hued illustrations convey the abundance of factual detail discussed.