Why Do Volcanoes Blow Their Tops?

February 1, 2001
Gr 2-5-Information on topics of great interest in a format that is sure to appeal. The questions, set in large-print, color type, cover the whys, hows, and wheres of their subjects. The concise answers are set in smaller black type. The queries are either superimposed over attractive, colorful illustrations or face them. While children will enjoy browsing through these titles, the extensive indexes also make them useful for reports. They're particularly accessible for younger or reluctant readers who might have problems with multi-paragraphed, wordier texts.-Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2001
Questions range from the titular ones to "Is hurricane damage getting worse?" and "Can animals forecast earthquakes?" Both books contain solid introductory information about these four natural phenomena in accessible language and style. Because of the question-and-answer format, however, the explanations are brief and not always clear. The numerous illustrations are occasionally static and lurid. Ind.

(Copyright 2001 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)