VOLCANOES

A first look at volcanoes by the author of Rivers: Nature’s Busy Waterways (p. 412). Here the author tries to explain what volcanoes are, where they are found, how they form, and what happens when they explode. He states: “Every day somewhere volcanoes erupt. From far off they look like beautiful fireworks. But up close, a volcano is no fun.” The illustrator avoids that understatement showing a lurid double-page spread of a fiery, red-orange, erupting volcano, followed by a double-page spread of catapulting rocks and smoke. Harrison has a difficult time making the text clear, accurate, and accessible. For example, he states: “If too much gas is trapped inside, part of the mountain may blow off, hurling rocks heavier than elephants for miles.” But not all mountains are volcanoes, and how does the gas get trapped inside? Rocks bigger than elephants hurled for miles? Sometimes, the text doesn’t seem to make sense, for example: “Most magna moves toward the crust where it cools and sinks again. But some magna breaks though weak spots by rising through cracks like chimney flues until at last it bubbles or blasts free onto the surface.” Why does it move toward the crust? Why does it cool when it moves toward the crust? Why does it sink? What are chimney flues? This title will lead to more questions than answers. Curious readers should look elsewhere. (Nonfiction. 7-9)