About the Book
Explains the stages of the water cycle and how the water cycle impacts the earth's water supply. Includes an activity.
Review :
Overall, this is a high-quality, accurate series of science books. All of the books have the same format and are 24 pages long. Each book has eight one or two-page chapters that cover one concept. Each chapter has a large color photograph or a color diagram (or both) and a paragraph of text (consisting of two to six sentences); many pages also have a small inset box containing a "Fun Fact." The photographs and diagrams are of high quality and illustrate the text well. The chapters are followed by an "Amazing but True" page, with an interesting example pertaining to the book's topic, a hands-on experiment, a glossary, a list of additional books and Internet sites on the topic, and an index. The hands-on experiments are simple, can be done with easily obtainable materials, and work fine. The publisher has set up an Internet site that links to sites for each of its books. Each book has an ID number that is typed into the site, and three or four links for the book come up. All of the links are to high-quality Web sites, most from the government, academia, or trade organizations, and one by a photographer whose hobby is chasing storms. What is Water? covers water molecules, the changes of state of water (liquid, solid, and gas), salt water and freshwater, and the idea that water is everywhere on earth. The explanations are simple and clear; my only complaint is that one of the "facts" stating that freshwater has no color, taste, or smell is misleading. Water and the Weather is about the role of water in the weather. Topics covered are the constantly changing weather, weather and the water cycle, air currents as a cause of weather, types of clouds, and types of precipitation. This title contains some complex concepts that could use more explanation, but given the 24-page format, the author has done a good job simplifying them. The book will work fine as a first introduction to the weather. The Water Cycle covers Earth's water cycle in detail, although all the other books in the series touch upon the water cycle as well. Topics include evaporation, condensation, humidity, clouds, precipitation, and recharge. This book does not mention transpiration by plants, an unfortunate omission, as that is a significant part of the water cycle. Sources of Water covers the distribution of water on earth, with a map showing the relative sizes of oceans, ice caps, and large freshwater bodies; the book also covers oceans, ice, lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, and groundwater in more detail. All of the books in this series work well together, repeating, for example, the material on the water cycle and on the large amount of water in its many forms on earth.-- "Science Books and Films"
The Water All Around series includes six well-written and illustrated volumes of children's nonfiction. Although each title can easily stand alone, the series provides a complete picture of what students should know about water in the early elementary grades. The Water Cycle includes information about how much of Earth's surface is covered with water, evaporation, condensation, precipitation, clouds, and a very neat hands-on activity that allows students to investigate what happens when tap water condenses. Each book contains a beautiful cover photograph that nicely illustrates the title, a table of contents, approximately 16 pages of text, bolded vocabulary words, and accompanying photographs and diagrams. One page in each book is dedicated to an "Amazing but True" fact, while another presents a related hands-on activity. There is a glossary, a list of suggested books and Internet sites to enhance learning, and an index in each volume. I would use these books for reading aloud to students as a whole group since the illustrations and photographs are large enough to hold up for the entire class. The books are short enough to motivate students and offer content background for a related hands-on activity. They can also be used successfully as research materials for students who enjoy working in small groups. The authors suggest that these books are written on a second-grade reading level, but some of the vocabulary and diagrams are more suitable for third graders.-- "NSTA Recommends"
