Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-A book that focuses on the uses of water and the importance of rivers and seas to life on Earth. The introduction explains the symbols that readers will encounter along the way, including one that indicates when adult assistance is recommended for the project. Each spread consists of clearly written text that explains a concept such as the water cycle or water power. There may also be a related interesting fact or an additional bit of information. The projects involve building a model or performing an experiment. Drawings and photographs clearly illustrate the concept and the instructions for the activities. A photograph shows what the completed project should look like. Unfortunately, it is placed in the gutter so that often the most important portion of it-that which clarifies a somewhat confusing direction, for example-is obscured. On the whole, however, the directions are clear enough to result in a successful outcome. There is a plethora of books that present information about rivers and oceans for children. Barbara Taylor's Rivers and Oceans (Kingfisher, 1993) and Seymour Simon's How to Be an Ocean Scientist in Your Own Home (HarperCollins, 1988) also include experiments and projects. Useful if an additional title on the topic is needed.-Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The models, experiments, and games in these books are intended to teach about ecosystems, farming, population and resources, and the water cycle. All the books in this series require much effort for little reward, are oversimplified, or contain bad science. Crowded and confusing layouts make the explanations hard to follow. Color photos, drawings, and diagrams illustrate the texts. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Geography for Fun titles: [cf2]Ecosystems, Food and Farming, People and Places, Rivers and Seas[cf1].] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Part of the Geography For Fun series, this latest is a hands-on approach to learning about erosion, the water cycle, pollution, and the natural resources that are rivers and seas. Each two-page spread features a separate topic, including Underground Water, Waves and Wind, and The Power of Water. A short paragraph introduces each section, and is followed by detailed steps that will lead the reader in building a hands-on model demonstrating the concept and using materials commonly found in the home. A short "What's Happening" section tells about the science behind why the model works. Finally, a boxed paragraph gives other interesting facts that are related to the same topic. Readers will build a model of the water cycle with plastic bottles, cardboard, and ice cubes and a water wheel to harness the power of falling water. They can grow stalactites, make pictures with oil paint-representing an oil slick-and learn firsthand about the varying densities water can have, depending upon its salinity. Most of the projects are high-interest, and all will help the reader learn about water-the substance that makes up two-thirds of the earth's surface. The directions are easy to follow, with the exception of measurements and patterns, most of which must be approximated from the illustrated steps and photograph of the completed project. Robson does an excellent job explaining concepts and introducing vocabulary, including a glossary at the end. A good addition to any library that caters to budding young scientists and their teachers. (Nonfiction. 7-10)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
