Ample education and enjoyment for readers who already love nature and much to spark interest for newcomers.
Ways for young people growing up in urbanized areas to connect with nature.
Translated from German, this friendly, interactive guide features activities of various difficulty levels and fascinating pieces of information intermingled with emotive, action-filled photographs of diverse people along with simple but adorable illustrations. An introductory segment on safety and preparedness outlines useful equipment and introduces some common dangers and preservation techniques; other sections encourage environmental stewardship, suggest unexpected places to look for nature in urban areas, and provide ideas for discovering connections to nature right in readers’ own homes. The activities incorporate STEM concepts in fun, inexpensive ways but do require varying levels of adult supervision and involvement. Though the book is specifically geared toward urbanites, much of the information is unique enough, and the activities are interesting enough, to entice kids who live in rural areas and/or already spend time in nature regularly. Some activities may be more suitable for suburban areas than truly urban landscapes, such as altering the ripening pattern of apples or creating welcoming outdoor spaces for lizards and bees. An explanation of how to use the included index demystifies nonfiction formatting for those new to the genre.
Ample education and enjoyment for readers who already love nature and much to spark interest for newcomers. (photo credits) (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: April 18, 2023
ISBN: 9781771648950
Page Count: 84
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
McMahon’s enthusiasm for his topic may get readers off the ground—but not into orbit. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)
A buoyant but slapped-together look at current and future efforts to get more people into space.
This brief survey includes a quick history of space flight, mentions of and quotes from several astronauts or actual space tourists and enticing glimpses of space hotels, a space elevator and possible tourist destinations on other planets. Unfortunately, this enticing subject is bogged down by incomplete explanations and occasionally misleading claims. Readers will be unenlightened by the author’s non-explanation of zero gravity and perhaps actively confused by the introduction of the term "microgravity." Further, one section implies that Bigelow Aerospace is simply in the space-hotel business (a claim denied on the company’s site) rather than the more complex commercial venture it is. Mora’s bland painted representations of the space shuttle, SpaceShipOne and other craft don’t measure up to photos and commercially produced graphic images easily found elsewhere. Five low-tech projects seek to complement the material, ranging from a doable cardboard centrifuge to a challenging multi-stage balloon rocket and a “space vacation plane” so complex that all the instructions had to be moved to an online site.
McMahon’s enthusiasm for his topic may get readers off the ground—but not into orbit. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-55453-368-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: June 6, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
Extreme storms never cease to appeal. This visually tempting title defines and explains the storms people call twisters, gives examples of four particularly devastating ones in this country, describes tornado watchers at work, offers a hands-on activity and suggests precautions for tornado safety. Aimed at middle-grade readers, it includes step-by-step explanatory text, striking images and helpful graphics. The author introduces Ted Fujita and his tornado-measuring scale. She makes clear that tornado formation is still a scientific mystery. Much of the explanatory text is printed on a backdrop of remarkable photographs of storms and storm damage. Sidebars introduce extra information, vocabulary and short firsthand accounts of storm experiences with snapshots. Along with the clear explanations and visual interest, this volume and its companion, Carson’s Inside Hurricanes (ISBN: 978-1-4027-5880-5), are thoughtfully designed. The many fold-out and fold-up pages work. A symbolic arrow directs the reader; pages are numbered clearly and consecutively. Even the backmatter—bibliography, source notes, further resources and glossary—is on a fold-up page. Maps show storm locations in this country and around the world. Impressive. (index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4027-5879-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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