Earth Matters - Hardcover

David De Rothschild

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1405318880 ISBN 13: 9781405318884

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, 2008

Synopsis

With a biome-by-biome structure that mirrors Mother Nature's own design, Our Earth Matters is a celebration of our fragile Earth, a warning to protect it, and an inspiring source book full of ideas for making a positive change.

The book begins with a brief history of our planet's birth and development, revealing how an astonishingly unlikely series of accidents made Earth the only planet in the universe known to be suitable for life. As life flourished and spread, it changed the planet and created the "biosphere." Scientists divide the biosphere into global ecosystems, or "biomes," such as Desert, Ocean, Tropical Forest, and Grassland.

Earth's delicate ecology is the unifying theme. Each section explores the unique ecological structure of a biome and reveals how human interference can upset the balance and damage the life-support systems upon which our existence depends Reference pages make up the first part of each section, with maps showing the extent of the biome, and spreads on climate, natural history, and ecology explaining how the biome works. Subsequent spreads explore the threats arising from human activity and show how positive efforts can often overcome the threats and preserve the biome. Throughout the book, spectacular and intimate photography showcases the living world's endless diversity and beauty, providing a compelling visual argument to support the book's core message.

About this title

From Booklist

Probably best used for browsing or in a family collection, this title is certainly not an “encyclopedia” of ecology as we usually think of an encyclopedia. It is, however, an attractive, fact-filled volume that may inspire young people to learn more about their earth. Following a 40-page introduction that touches on the the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, water consumption, and other topics, the book covers eight biomes. Polar regions, temperate forests, deserts, grasslands, tropical forests, mountains, freshwater, and oceans are described in 20–30 pages that presents facts about the ecosystem, specific organisms, modern problems (logging, warming tundra, controversial crops), and what young people can do to make a difference. Information is presented on exciting two-page spreads with maps, photographs, charts, and intriguing commentary, much like exhibits at a modern nature center. Every “Making a Difference” section has some doable suggestions (use a reusable water bottle) along with a few impractical or contradictory ones (“Walk to school whatever the weather” and “Take a mountain vacation,” but “Vacation without flying”). With no sources provided, it’s hard to know where some of the facts come from. (How was it figured that 18 gallons of water are needed to produce one apple?) The index is adequate, but it does not include plastic and several other items that are mentioned in the text. Upper-elementary through middle-school students and their teachers will find plenty of attractive pages here for browsing but will need to go elsewhere for much substance. Grades 3-8. --Susan Gooden

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up—This environmentally friendly book is sure to appeal to students who will be drawn to the look and feel of the package in addition to the spectacular color photographs. The text is divided into sections corresponding to the Earth's regions: polar, temperate forests, deserts, grasslands, tropical forests, mountains, freshwater, and oceans. Maps locate the areas, and a scale guide based on average adult and child heights helps readers judge the size of the animals inhabiting the region under review. Page layouts vary, and there is a plethora of information presented in catchy, attention-grabbing ways. Web site references are offered on many pages, as are ideas for making a difference and helping to save the planet. The introduction offers the "big bang" theory as the explanation for Earth's creation. The author tells of his plan to sail a boat made entirely out of recycled plastic bottles from the United States to Australia to bring attention to the mass (the size of Texas) of plastic pieces floating in the Pacific. Facts like this are sure to bring lots of "wows" from readers. A first-rate addition to all collections.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL
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About this edition

• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1405318880
• ISBN 13: 9781405318884
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256