Planet Earth

May 1, 2008
Both comprehensive and approachable, this title in the Projects You Can Build Yourself series combines explanations of science concepts and environmental issues with hands-on projects. Initial chapters offer basic facts about earth and life sciences, beginning with a discussion of whats usually meant by the term the environment. Later chapters explore threats to the planets health in a survey of pollution and global warming. Throughout, terms appear in bold typeand then are defined in frequent Words to Know boxes. Elementary- and middle-school students will find the succinct overview of thefacts very useful, and theyll welcome the clearly presented projects, which range from a granola recipe that will teach them about native foods around the globe to handmade card games for multiple players. Extensive further readings and an eye-catching design filled with drawings completea title that while educatingkids about the environment steers them past despair with the reminder that every individual action helps: Some changes are better than none.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)