November 1, 2017
Gr 4-6-The visual drama never lets up in this tour of our planet's land forms and dynamic processes. Vivid photographs and conceptual images offer riveting aerial shots, close-ups, and inside looks at 67 features or phenomena, paired with suitably bombastic descriptive commentary ("Deep beneath the spectacular wilderness of Yellowstone National Park lies a simmering supervolcano."). Grouped by type, entries range from the Andes to Mount Everest, black smokers in the ocean depths to massive ice storms and wild "fire devils." Following later spreads on the "Wave of Death" wrought by the Japanese tsunami of 2011 and six other natural disasters, a closing section surveys wonders of the "Living Earth" from rain forests to marine habitats. Most entries come with a basic fact file, but the back matter is limited to a brief glossary and equally perfunctory index, with no suggestions for further information. VERDICT Likely to be a popular choice for budding naturalists and thrill seekers, but more suitable for random browsing and marveling than systematic research.-John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York
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