Reviews
These books open with a short overview of the landform and close with an outline of the environmental dangers to it. In between, a spread each describes the most (or, often, "one of the most") extreme example of that feature. Entries consist of two short paragraphs of text; large, clear photographs; a sidebar of facts (some of the "That's Amazing" listings are more tragic than amazing), and a small continent map with the place highlighted. While the color photographs are enjoyable, they do not always provide a sense of the feature. Coasts discusses the Curonian Spit, for example, but the photo shows dunes that could be on any coast. Some of the secondary features described are not shown; instead there are stock photos of something else. Also, it is not always clear why a landform is included. Explanations are overly brief and simplistic: Volcanoes provides nothing on plate tectonics, instead stating only that "Where there are cracks in Earth's surface, the hot, liquid rock, called lava, can escape." The opening explanation of the type of landform and the closing environmental information in these books can easily be found elsewhere. Finding the "Most Amazing" example of each formation will take a little more work, but the information provided in sources such as encyclopedias will be more thorough than that found here. Recommended--Henrietta Thornton-Verman School Library Journal November 2009, What set this series apart is the eye-catching double-page layouts accompanied by bold typography and inviting sidebars. Because each book focuses on the top ten areas, readers are introduced to exciting places around the world. For each of the areas listed, each author cites location, type of landform, an explanation of its formation, and height or area. Pertinent facts are enclosed in attractive bordered boxes that young readers will find easy to read. Extremely helpful are the striking full-colored photographs on every page, and the globe insets and maps. Ecology-minded science teachers will especially like the sections on dangers facing each specific landform as well as the single page of facts and figures. Readers at any age will surely enjoy the "amazing" facts about the highest, the longest, or the widest, and librarians will definitely want to add this exciting and informative series to their collection. Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. Highly Recommended--Sheila Acosta, Children's Librarian, San Antonio, Texas Library Media Connection November/December 2009, One way to introduce young students to the wonders of science is by showing them the beauty of the natural world. But the authentic experience of many young readers is limited to the landforms in their immediate communities. This makes it difficult for them to relate to and to get excited by the diverse geology around the world. The Landform Top Tens series examines a wide range of landforms across the globe. This book looks at 10 different deserts, which are "the highest, longest, widest and most unusual in the world." The emphasis on superlatives and extremes will entice students to look further and try to understand the processes that produced them. The book is filled with maps, information on how the landforms were formed, and boxes presenting interesting facts. There are also small blue balloons presenting facts and figures. For example, one notes that deserts average less than 10 inches of rain a year, but in one it only rains every 200 years. There are 12 chapters, a section presenting facts and figures, a glossary, a section of additional information including websites, and a short index. Each page presents beautiful photographs, showing the wonders of the natural world. The vocabulary is appropriate for young readers, the text is short, and the book is the right size for young students. In a school library or on a classroom shelf, this series would be valuable for group work. Individual students will also enjoy these books as they take virtual trips around the world. Recommended--Donald Logsdon Jr. NSTA 9/29/2009
