Book Description

Book Description

Where do rocks come from? When Ms. Frizzle asks her students to bring rocks to class, almost everyone forgets. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere!
"The Magic School Bus: Inside the Earth" immediately picks up where its predecessor, "At the Waterworks", left off. At the end of each book, Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen provide a subtle clue as to the nature and content of their next collaboration - a sly wink to those of us who catch such details.

"At the Waterworks" concludes with Ms. Frizzle looking at a map of a volcano, which tells us the next book in the series will probably be about our world's physical structures. And that's where "Inside the Earth" steps into the spotlight. Written in 1987, Cole and Degen prove in their second effort that there is no such thing as the dreaded sophomore jinx. This story is just as, if not more, educating and entertaining than "At the Waterworks."

The book starts out with the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class appearing restless over their current learning topic, animal homes. They've been researching the subject for almost a month and "were pretty tired of it." So the class jumps for joy when the Friz announces they're starting something new. "We are going to study about our earth!" she exclaims.

However, things don't go exactly as planned. Only four kids actually bring their homework to class the next day - "Each person must find a rock and bring it to school," said Ms. Frizzle. So she decides to take them on a field trip to collect rock specimens . . . and that's when the fun begins!

Ms. Frizzle lives up to the expectations she set in "At the Waterworks." By the time this field trip is done, her class has learned all about the physical features of the earth. The kids discover how rocks are made of minerals. They delve deep into the ground, getting up close and personal with Earth's crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. Ms. Frizzle educates them on the three classes of rocks - igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. She relates to the kids how processes inside the earth take millions of years. She even takes them on a tour through a volcano! All throughout the field trip, the class receives hands-on experience with various rocks - basalt, granite, limestone, obsidian, pumice, sandstone, shale, etc.

And these details are only scratching the surface of what Cole and Degen, not to mention Ms. Frizzle, have lined up for readers in this book. Blending comedy with truth, this is a welcome addition to any children's bookshelf, either in the classroom or at home. And just as they did with their first story, Cole and Degen use the final pages to distinguish what things were accurate in the story and what things were made up.

As is her fashion, Ms. Frizzle leaves readers a hint at what is to come in her next adventure. My guess is that it has something to do with the human body. Talk about an inside-job!

Cole and Degen surpass the benchmark they set in "At the Waterworks" with "Inside the Earth." There are facts and figures, hilarity and humor, bursting from every page. Don't miss out on a chance to ride the magic school bus.

As Ms. Frizzle herself would say, "This way, class!"

Inside The Earth
This storyis about a class of students that is bord then one day they all go on a journey inside the earth and the kids have all these questions that all get answered. the reason I like this book so much is because it tells so much about the earth in a way that is fun for the students.

Awesome Book
This book is a great book to teach kids about the inside of the earth, and other scientific stuff. It gets your imagination flowing! Its fun and interesting; I always loved the Magic School Bus series! Ms. Frizzle is so funny!

Review
This book was about Miss Frizzle's class. Miss Frizzle's classes are always taking wild journeys everyone. On minute they are in the classroom like a normal class, the next they are somewhere very unusual. In this book they traveled inside the earth to study about it. The book talks about all the things inside the Earth and there are great explanations to many questions that children might have about the earth.
I like this book because it teaches children a lot about what the earth is made up of and it does it in such a way that children will stay interested and amused. A lot of children are really fond of science and things and this book teaches them about science in a fun way. Even children that don't really enjoy science would like this book because it's a fun book. Things happen that wouldn't really happen in real life so in a way it is fantasy like and a lot of children would like that.
I think the author was trying to teach children something and do it in such a way that it is fun. They will enjoy the story of the class traveling into the middle of the earth but there is a lot of science in there for the children to learn also.

The Frizz Does a Jules Verne
This best-selling children`s science series is excellent for reading aloud, while older kids (and parents) will appreciate the range and depth of information, as well. The story-text of the original series is at once humorous, engaging, and packed with facts. Lively and amusing illustrations include cartoon bubbles, as well as "reports" by the students in the story. Ms Frizzle is a Mary Poppins-like teacher with oomph, and a wardrobe to match, who challenges and leads her students, recurring characters who reflect the multicultural nature of the US, on amazing fieldtrips.

In INSIDE THE EARTH, the fabled bus turns into a steam shovel, provides the kids and the Frizz with workclothes and digging equipment, to explore to the earth`s core, Jules Verne-style. Along the way, they learn geology, but with the Frizzle spin. ... Read more

Book Description

Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

wonderful science/literature connection
this is an excellent literature connection for young children studying the concept of matter. it works well with the foss science module, "solids and liquids" for students in grades one and two. ... Read more

Book Description

See rocks and minerals up close in vivid detail, with anabundance of detailed information to match. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This Book Is Really Good Book.
Before i read this book, i know rocks just is rocks.But after i read this book, i know rocks is very important for my life.This book have many good point.For example it have more pictrun and easy letter in this book.So not too difficulty.There are still some left many interesting think in it.I willing recommend it to other people interested with rocks.

This Book Is Really Good.
Before i read this book, i know rocks just is rocks.But after i read this book, i know rocks is very important for my life.This book have many good point.For example it have more pictrun and easy letter in this book.So not too difficulty.There are still some left many interesting think in it.I willing recommend it to other people interested with rocks.

Its a very good book, colorful, a little short but good.
Its a good book for beginners on this field, you wont find all of the rocks out there, but youll learn quickly about the major differences and characteristics of some rocks...

It is very colorful, pictures are awesome, and I liked that the book tells you about rock and mineral uses, as well as in the ancient times as in today.

I recommend it as an introductory book on the matter, then you should move to a more detailed book. I gave it 5 stars Considering that it is a pocket book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Most children are captivated by snow, but how many go on to make it theirlifework? This beautiful biography, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal, tells the true story of a Vermont farm boy who was mesmerized by snowflakes. Wilson Bentley was fascinated by the six-sided frozen phenomena, and once he acquired a microscope with a camera, his childhood preoccupation took on a more scientific leaning. Bentley spent his life taking countless exquisite photographs (many that are still used in nature photography today), examining the tiny crystals and their delicate, mathematical structures. Jacqueline Briggs Martin tells this tale with simple, graceful prose that will engage children's imaginations. Edifying and snowflake-scattered sidebars offer more information about Bentley's methods and snowflake science. The artwork of Mary Azarian, whose 19th-century hand-press illustrations decorate the charming Barn Cat,shines once again in Snowflake Bentley, with woodcuts that reveal an appreciation for detail as well as for the man who loved snow. The lovely illustrations and equally fresh text will inspire and comfort youngsters (and grownups too) who wish they could capture snowflakes all year long. (Ages 4 to 8) --Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Review of Snowflake Bentley
I really enjoyed reading the story of Snowflake Bentley. Jacqueline Briggs Martin does an excellent job of telling the accomplishments of Willian Bentley in a way that is exciting and entertaining to children. Snow brings much excitment to all children, they love playing in it and sledding so to read about a man who dedicated his life to snowflakes is fascinating. This story shows how hard Wilson Bentley worked to show the world what he loved. This story gives a great example to children, the kids see that with hard work you can accomplish whatever you want. Snowflake Bentley is not like any biography I have read before, it gives justice to William Bentley's accomplishments but written in a story like form that will interests the children. The facts on the side of each page are a great additive of information as well.

The story of Wilson Bentley and snowflakes.
This children's book, illustrated by Mary Azarian, won the 1999 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a book for children. It is the story of Wilson A. Bentley (1865-1931) of Jericho, Vermont, who had a passion for studying snowflakes. Having developed a technique for photographing snowflakes, he spent years collecting and giving lectures in the midst of running his farm: a true farmer-scientist. He even wrote a text called Snow Crystals. He noted the six sidedness of most crystals and a few three-sided. One wonders what he would have said upon hearing that some researchers in the late 1990s had found two identical snowflakes since he had never been able to find two that were alike. This book is a celebration not only of the man but of our love and interest in the natural world. Children will enjoy this book with its magnificent woodcuts immensely.

Wonderful book & idea -- throw a Snowflake Bentley party!
My son (7) thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was his first biography and he was very interested to learn about the farmer-scientist who loved snow. We were lucky enough to attend a Family Day at the National Museum of American History (Wash DC) where the author read the story and told the gathered families about writing, editing and publishing a book. The museum staff then had snowflake & microscope activities for children to enjoy.

My son was so inspired and excited by the story and the day's events that he suggested, when reading the book in mid January, that we throw a "Snowflake Bentley" party. We picked Feb 9th, Wilson Bentley's birthday, and invited all the neighborhood kids over. A couple of parents read the book and then kids either cut out or painted snowflakes. We had a copy of Wilson Bentley's book available so they could see all the different snowflakes he photographed. We ate cake decorated in a snowflake pattern.

It was a great way to share this wonderful book. Many of the kids requested to borrow the book afterwards.

Snowflake Bentley
...I chose Snowflake Bentley for my Caldecott Presentation in Childrens Literature. This book gives children a rich history lesson in a personal and meaningful way. It helps children to become better acquainted with a important person and learn the reasoning behind what he was interested in. The book also gives little facts on the sides of every page which are interesting to look over. I recommend this book for children and parents to read to their children.

How do they figure the Caldecott Award?
Of all the children's books I have borrowed/read, this has to be one of the best bedtime stories. I was yawning by page two, and I wasn't even tired. My daughter was looking around the room & sighing while I read it. Do the Caldecott judges keep children in mind when they award these books?

While I can appreciate the idea of living your dream, no matter the cost, the "tale" itsself was drawn out, boring and choppy. The story could have been told & illustrated with *much* more whimsy, for such an interesting fellow/life. I can imagine what a great book this could have been. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great Book!
This book is a great way for kids to learn about geology, with a fun storyline. I loved following the rock as it embarked on a journey through time, and the illustrations were are just beautiful. I would reccommend this book for all ages, as it is fun and proves to be a great resource for geological information!

Great Story to Teach Children about Geology and Earth Scienc
It is clear the author wants to engage the reader into seeing the excitement of the geologic cycle, and to teach earth science to children using scientific terms. The book is beautifully illustrated, and exceptionally well written It is clear the author has an excellent background in geology.

When I read the book to my grandchildren, they want it read again and again. Looking at rocks, the children and I have a new perspective of what a rock really is and how it came about.

I look forward to other books by this author!

Children are fascinated by this book!
I enthusiastically recommend this book! Who knew that the journey of a rock through time was dramatic AND fascinating? When was the last time you considered how a simple rock came to be? This story is as educational as it is entertaining to the children who have read it in my home. I had a five-year-old guest for the weekend, and THIS is the book she wanted out of all the books in my library. She was drawn to this rock and cared what happened to it. It was fun for her to "find" the rock in every beautiful illustration. Every time I read it to the younger children, I learn a little more, too!

A Journey to Enjoy
*Earthsteps: A Rock's Journey Through Time* is one of those rare children's books that an adult can also enjoy reading over and over. The illustrations complement the thoughtful and intelligent text, making it a journey to enjoy and to learn from at the same time. My 14 year old read it eagerly, as did my 11 year old. I expected that because they are both voracious readers who have a geologist father, but what I was delighted by was the excited interest of the 5 through 9 year olds to whom I read it at the school where I substitute teach regularly. I highly recommend this fine work to everyone.

geology made fun
as someone working with geologists and geology as a career, i found earthsteps to be a fun way to introduce this subject to children. most children are not exposed to earth science, so a book of this calibur should be a part of all elementary school libraries. ... Read more

Book Description

Holly Keller has created vivacious new paintings for this favorite Reading Rainbow title about geology. Readers follow two enthusiastic rock hounds around the globe as they add to their collection. Along the way they will learn how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are formed. From the Egyptian pyramids to Roman roads, from the diamond ring on your finger to the pebbles under your feet'rocks are everywhere!

... Read more

Reviews (2)

Simple and easily observable science concepts
This book is part of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, which has more than 80 titles. The Stage 1 books explain simple and easily observable science concepts for preschool- and kindergarten-age children. Stage 2 books, which includes this title, explore more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades and include hands-on activities that children can do themselves. "Let's Go Rock Collecting" is suitable for young children.

AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION TO ROCKHOUNDING
THIS IS A FINE BOOK FOR INTRODUCING YOUR CHILDREN TO THE WONDERS OF ROCKHOUNDING. THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT CHILDREN WANT TO READ AND FIND OUT FOR THEMSELVES. LET YOUR CHILDEN READ THIS BOOK, AND THEN TURN THEM LOOSE ON ANY NORTHERN BEACH WITH PLENTY OF ROCKS. THEY'LL HAVE A BALL, AND YOU'LL LEARN SOMETHING, TOO (YOUR KIDS WILL TELL YOU). ... Read more

Book Description

Volcanoes don't always look like mountains; they aren't always full of fire. Some are holes in the ground; some form under the sea. And despite their reputation for destruction, volcanoes produce new mountains, new islands, and new soil. Visit some of the world's most remarkable volcanoes along with one of the most outstanding science writers in children's books. It's an extraordinary--and unforgettable--trip.

Book Description

How are mountains formed?

What makes the air we breathe?

What causes the ocean waves?

Now you can learn the answers to these and other questions about the earth, sea, and air through 101 fun, safe, low-cost experiments and activities that can be performed at home or in the classroom. In Earth Science for Every Kid, you'll use a tennis ball and a marble to demonstrate a solar eclipse. You'll make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to understand sedimentary rock formation. And, with the assistance of a Slinky(r) and a helper, you'll learn about the motion of water waves.

Each of the 101 experiments is broken down into its purpose, a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, expected results, and an easy to understand explanation. Every activity has been pretested and can be performed safely and inexpensively in the classroom or at home.

Also available in this series from Janice VanCleave:

• ASTRONOMY FOR EVERY KID
• BIOLOGY FOR EVERY KID
• CHEMISTRY FOR EVERY KID
• DINOSAURS FOR EVERY KID
• GEOGRAPHY FOR EVERY KID
• GEOMETRY FOR EVERY KID
• THE HUMAN BODY FOR EVERY KID
• MATH FOR EVERY KID
• PHYSICS FOR EVERY KID

Reviews (1)

Great Teacher or Home Experiment Resource
I am never disappointed by a Janice VanCleave Book!

This book lends itself well to experimenting with earth science using the scientific method. It outlines the purpose, materials needed, procedure, results expected, and explanation of results for each experiment. Experiments are included in the areas of space, rocks and minerals, movement of the earth's crust, erosion, atmosphere, weather, and ocean. The best thing is that they use common, easy to obtain materials!

I use these books in my classroom a lot! ... Read more

Book Description

Climb aboard the earth for the adventure of a lifetime! As you travel, watchshadows move from here to there as day stretches into night, and feel the weather change as oneseason rolls into the next. All these amazing things happen because the earth is constantly inmotion. Spinning and circling, gliding and tilting, as passengers of the earth, our voyage neverends!

With poetic text and gorgeous illustrations, G. Brian Karas illuminates our earthand its cycles and does a brilliant job of making the concepts of rotation and revolutionunderstandable to even the youngest readers. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The curious, protean nature of water has fascinated people for ages, andWalter Wick--the photographer of Scholastic's highly acclaimed I Spy series--is noexception. Wick is a great admirer and collector of 100-year-old science books where,according to his afterword, "Even the simplest experiments appeared as ifimprobable or impossible things were happening. Intrigued, I recreated some of theexperiments and photographed them with my camera. The results seemed magical, butnot because of any photographic trick; it was only the forces of nature at work. It wasfrom these explorations that the idea for this book emerged."

As you're admiring the "crown" created by a water drop splashing into apool, or how many water droplets can fit on the head of a pin (the smallest droplet on thepin contains more than three trillion water molecules), you'll learn about evaporation,condensation, snowflakes, how clouds form, and more amazing water tricks. Wick's otherartfully composed photographs include a "wild wave" caused by a brown eggdropped in a water glass, soap bubbles with a "shimmering liquid skin," asnowflake at 60 times its actual size, and dew on a spider web. Like many old-fashionedscience books, A Drop of Water ends with a list of simple experiments may lurethe young reader into the world of scientific investigation. Unlike many old sciencebooks, this one also stands on its own as a beautiful, notable collection of photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Really Descriptive
This helped me alot while performing my science project. It's cool to everyone I know no matter what their age was...

Excellent read-along for Classical Homeschoolers
I am doing 3rd grade chemistry based on the Well-Trained Mind. This read-along was excellent for our chemistry experiments on molecules, and I look forward to using it several times with the other topics it presents. The photos are absolutely stunning. Even though the reading level is higher than 3rd grade, the focus is on the photos - and they do a wonderful job of rounding out the student's grasp of the concepts. My husband and I both learned something new, and even the 6 and 3-year-olds are pointing out condensation and water vapor along with their third-grade brother.

Included in the back are suggested experiments for those who do nature study along the lines of Charlotte Mason's theories. Definitely a keeper.

A Drop of Water
The pictures in this book are excellent, but the reading level is not 4-8 as listed. The level is about 6th grade and above.

Excellent Photography of Water
A Drop of Water is an amazing book with lots of close-up photography. The facts about water are interesting and fun to read. Walter Wick also covers areas of vapor, steam and ice.

Have you ever wondered about a drop of water?
Have you ever wondered about water - what makes the sides of a glass fog up on a hot day, why snowflakes look like they do?? Walter Wick explores water firsthand with breathtaking photographs in a book that brings water into sharp focus. For the photographs alone this book is worth looking at, and then add the simple science text and its priceless. ... Read more

Book Description

Have you ever wondered what a badland is? What about a gulch? Do you wonder what an isthmus is? Or a seamount? What about the difference between a plateau and a plain, or a knob and a knoll? Well, here are the answers!

The sixty-three entries from A to Z describe the earth's features -- its physical geography -- from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench, in clear, concise terms. Each entry is beautifully illustrated in full color.

This is a perfect introduction to the dramatic and fascinating face of the vast world around us. The author and artist of the best-selling MAPS & GLOBES team up again, this time to prove that geography can indeed be an adventure.

Reviews (3)

Fun book
Geography is a fun subject because it is so visual. This book has fun, brightly colored pictures that illustrate basic geography words. I found this little gem at a library sale years ago and have used it to help prepare my chldren for our homeschool association geography bees. They love this book too!

Not just for kids! Adults love it too!
This book is really well done. Though it is targeted for children, this 40-plus year old found it very informative. After searching through the adult catalog at the local library for a book that would explain landforms and earth features and finding nothing, I found this book in the young people's collection. It was a Godsend. I found it so useful, that I am now purchasing it for my personal library.

If you, like me, have never been clear in your own mind about the difference between a hill and a mountain; a mesa and a butte; a brook, creek, or stream; a river, lake or pond; a sea and an ocean; a canyon and a gorge, and on and on, then this book will painlessly de-mystify these terms for you and many more.

Thanks to the authors and publishers of this fine book, I am less dumbfounded by my physical surroundings, and at least know now what I probably should have learned in grade school

Must have book!
I'd like to thank Jack Knowlton and Harriett Barton for writing and illustrating "Geography from A to Z."

My daughter and I had a great time reading it together and she became the only first grader to know the basics of geography. A life long lesson.

I recommend this book for all children and would definitely give it as a gift.

"Geography from A to Z" has become part of my permanent library. ... Read more

Book Description

Have you ever felt the wind tickle your face or heard it whistle through your window? Did you know that some wind travels faster than a car? Read inside to find out more about what causes wind, and learn how to make your own weather vane!

Have you ever felt the wind tickle your face or heard it whistle through your window? Did you know that some wind travels faster than a car?

Air is always moving. We can't see air moving, though we can watch it push clouds across the sky, or shake the leaves of a tree. We call moving air the wind. In this enlarged edition, find out about the wind - what causes it, how it can be used to help us, and how it affects the weather.

Arthur Dorros shows you how to make your own weather vane, and in simple terms, with playful illustrations, he explains just what makes the wind that blows all around us.

Reviews (1)

Don't just "breeze" through this book!
"Feel the Wind" is a great tool for teaching children about the wind and the weather. Arthur Dorros defines wind and its uses in a way that children can easily understand. The book includes the causes of wind, ways wind is used by man and nature, and easy directions for making a weather vane. This book is a must for any young meterorologist. ... Read more

Book Description

Look up. Have you ever wondered about the clouds that roam the skies?

Cloud Dance takes readers on a journey up to the heavens, through thick cumulus clouds that bring snow, wispy cirrus clouds that flutter in the wind, and wide stratus clouds that blanket the sky. Basic scientific information sheds light on the altitude, shape, and color of clouds, and Thomas Locker's luminous paintings and poetic text create an inspiring and enlightening book for everyone to enjoy.
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Reviews (1)

Cloud Dance
Thomas Locker creates an interesting way to learn about clouds in this beautifully illustrated book. As the reader turns the pages of this book, they encounter numerous types of clouds. The first illustration shows the many different sizes and shapes clouds can assume, from the light and wispy cirrus cloud to the puffy cumulus cloud. With each turn of the page, clouds are seen in different seasons and times of day, under various weather conditions. The illustrations are eye appealing oil paintings. As you view each picture, it is like you are standing on the ground and seeing the vast sky with the clouds creating a mosaic of lights, shapes, and colors. You can almost feel the rain hitting your face when you look at the painting depicting clouds in a rain storm. The painting of the clouds that "shimmer in the moonlight" gives the reader a sense of calm. Each painting in this book causes the reader to feel some emotion--from the suppressed anger of a developing thunderstorm to the warm peace of a sunset. At the end of the book the author includes factual information about clouds. The scientific names are given for all the clouds along with a description. Answers are also given for such questions as "How are clouds formed?" and "How high does the sky reach?" This book would be a good way to introduce a science unit on clouds and weather. The illustrations would stimulate a student's imagination and could be a starting point for them to begin thinking about what clouds look like at different times and in a variety of conditions. Cloud Dance would be a valuable addition to anyone's library. ... Read more