A truly delicious, hands-on way to study science in action.
A high-calorie introduction to rocks, minerals, geological processes, plate tectonics, fossils, the reason for seasons, and more.
Coppens dishes up compact but flavorful slices of science framed as questions and answers—covering topics including the types of fossils, the difference between rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, continental drift, our planet’s inner structure, and the origin of the moon. But throughout, the large, red central question is seldom more than a page turn away: “How does this relate to cake?” The answers, often presented in full recipes, are as illuminating as they are delicious. Young researchers can, for instance, not only better understand the Mohs hardness scale by comparing the sliceability of angel food cake and fruitcake, but actually observe chocolate “magma” flow and harden just like igneous rock from the core of an “Extrusive Molten Lava Cake,” among other tasty “experiments.” As a final challenge, round “cake pops” painted with blue and green candy melt can be set up around a yellow “sun”…if they last long enough. Many of the color photos (many supplied by the author, and the rest from stock libraries) are on the small side, the source list at the end shows a heavy reliance on Wikipedia articles, and the recipes all require significant tooth-brushing afterward. Still, directions are clear (and note where adult help is required), the earth science information is solid, and the whole premise hangs together beautifully.
A truly delicious, hands-on way to study science in action. (Nonfiction. 9-11)Pub Date: May 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943431-28-1
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Tumblehome Learning
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In this glossy photo essay, the author briefly recounts the study and exploration of the moon, beginning with Stonehenge and concluding with the 1998–99 unmanned probe, Lunar Prospector. Most of the dramatic photographs come from NASA and will introduce a new generation of space enthusiasts to the past missions of Project Mercury, Gemini, and most especially the moon missions, Apollo 1–17. There are plenty of photographs of various astronauts in space capsules, space suits, and walking on the moon. Sometimes photographs are superimposed one on another, making it difficult to read. For example, one photograph shows the command module Columbia as photographed from the lunar module and an insert shows the 15-layer space suit and gear Neil Armstrong would wear for moonwalking. That’s a lot to process on one page. Still, the awesome images of footprints on the moon, raising the American flag, and earthrise from the moon, cannot help but raise shivers. The author concludes with a timeline of exploration, Web sites, recommended books, and picture credits. For NASA memorabilia collectors, end papers show the Apollo space badges for missions 11–17. Useful for replacing aging space titles. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-57091-408-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
Thousands of years ago, the Komodo dragon may have inspired dragon legends in China and beyond. In more recent times, researchers from all over the world have traveled to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia to study the Komodo dragon. This lively if somewhat haphazardly organized account focuses on the efforts of contemporary researchers, presents some of their cooler findings (female dragons can reproduce through parthenogenesis; their saliva is laced with deadly bacteria) and profiles a few captive specimens. Mostly color photographs from a variety of sources adorn almost every page, and captions add to the information. Learning about the Komodo dragon is not for the faint of heart, and the photos show the wild beasts in all their gory glory. The extensive backmatter includes brief facts about Indonesia, more information on the Komodo dragon life cycle and its use of smell and conservation information. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Komodo Survival Program. (bibliography, further reading, glossary, websites, index, author’s note) (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59078-757-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
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