Hands-On Science: Geology
Lola M. Schaefer, author
Lola M. Schaefer was a classroom teacher in grades K-7 for eighteen years. She began writing books for children because she saw how important a good book was to each of her students. Lola is now a writing consultant and the author of more than 275 children's books, including picture books and easy readers. She and her husband live in the mountains of north Georgia.
Read more about Lola.
Druscilla Santiago, illustrator
Druscilla Santiago is an O‘ahu-based illustrator with a background in art direction and graphic design. When not at the drawing board, she can be found with her family enjoying a good laugh and a sweet treat. This is her debut book.
Read more about Druscilla.
- Coming soon!
Kirkus Reviews
Explore geology through the pages of a book.
This interactive presentation invites the reader to “touch, pound, scrape, or press” the pages just as a geologist might do to examine rocks. Tapping, blowing, jumping up and down, and rubbing hands together are just some of the actions called for. From time to time, the imagined actions mimic the geologic process: tracing and retracing the route of a river to create a canyon, or pressing a hand into clay to create a fossil. Schaefer’s exploration follows a clear narrative arc, beginning and ending with our familiar Earth. She moves smoothly from topic to topic, describing Earth’s layers, offering examples of the three major types of rocks, and discussing the uses of rocks and the metals we extract from them. This leads to the building of rockets to explore other rocks in space. Returning to Earth, readers are asked to notice the rocks, minerals, and metals all around—and even inside their bodies. Finally, an activity guide leads readers to discover that rocks vary in hardness. The relatively simple text is arranged on a plain white background, with Santiago’s clear digital illustrations supporting the information. The few humans pictured have dark hair and skin. The appealing, accessible design adds to the value of this simple introduction.
Crack this one open with young science experimenters.
Children's Literature
Create a rock with just your hands in this interactive picture book about geology. Readers are encouraged to open the door to the geology lab. Pretend to open the door! Earth provides the greatest geological explorations. Readers are invited to tap on an illustration of Earth to go deep and see the core. Trace the core to reveal the mantle and then jump up and down for the crust. Other motions or movements in the book include using thumbs to slide the text pic plates apart, blow on a mountain to erupt a volcano, fan the lava to cool it off to create a pumice stone, and so much more! Learn about different types of rocks and fossils. This innovative picture book is jam packed with information about rocks that will engage young readers. The illustrations are large and inviting. Great for fans of Press Here by Herve Tullet!
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-244-3
Ages:4-8
Page count: 40
9 x 9