Super Soils

by Christine Petersen

Overview

Dig into the world of geology with the Rock On! series! Super Soils introduces readers to what makes up soil, from humus and plants and animals to water and air. Chapters discuss how weathering, erosion, parent material, decay, bacteria, organic matter, climate, and time contribute to soil formation. Soil engineering comes to life with a real-world example, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Easy-to-read text and helpful diagrams break down complex concepts, such as soil horizons. Readers will also learn about composting and the importance of conservation of this vital natural resource. And, an at-home experiment provides the opportunity for hands-on experience. Full-color photographs, glossary words in bold, an index, and phonetic spellings for those hard-to-pronounce geologic terms enhance and supplement the text. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781604537475
Publisher:	ABDO Publishing Company
Publication date:	01/01/2010
Series:	Rock On!: A Look at Geology
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	9 - 10 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3-5–An important moment in the history of geology or a fictional child’s encounter with the world of rocks serves as a lively opener in these titles, and is followed by clear information on related science and scientists. Fossils is the best book, including as it does numerous close up, bright images of dinosaurs and other extinct creatures; explanations of the ways in which the rocks are formed; and a discussion of fossil fuels. Without mentioning political issues, the book debunks creationist arguments by explaining why there are gaps in the fossil record and the evidence that birds descended from reptiles. Soils is also useful, as it boasts better photographs of different soil types than are commonly seen in books of this type, including a particularly interesting photo of a series of soil horizons and a case study involving soil removal at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Gems, Minerals, and Ores are ripe for combining into one longer volume. The material is available elsewhere, and the images are pedestrian. All of the titles include a craft, such as creating a fossil or making metamorphic rocks, that involves bought materials and requires adult assistance (a fact that is mentioned as the first step in the instructions).

School Library Journal