Volcanoes (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
Grade 3&ndash;4&mdash;Lloyd's colorful new graphics update Branley's 1985 text (HarperCollins), which includes accounts of a few historic eruptions (Mounts Vesuvius, Tambora, St. Helens, and Par&iacute;cutin) and explains how and why volcanoes form. Plate tectonics as well as scientists' study of and efforts to predict eruptions are also covered. A list of volcano facts appears, but it is frustrating in that the three types of volcanoes are named but not described. Instructions for an activity (plural on the cover) that involves making a baking soda and vinegar volcano are also appended. The new illustrations excel at depicting ideas presented in the text and include scenes of destruction, including buried cars, cities in ruins, and collapsed bridges. Overall, this work remains a sound, basic introduction to the topic, especially useful where the original is showing its age.&mdash;Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OHCopyright &copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.