Mighty Minerals

April 1, 2010
Gr 3-5-An important moment in the history of geology or a fictional childs 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).

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July 1, 2010
These volumes provide coverage of geologic materials and the processes that produce them. The writing alternates between textbooklike, sometimes at a conceptual level above the intended audience, and cutesy. Each book includes an activity and scientist profile. Photographs and diagrams (some repeated across volumes) give additional information. Glos., ind.

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