Geology topics covered include planetary formation, identification and uses of rocks, minerals, and fossils, and the ever-popular gemstones and dinosaur bones. While the text is brief, descriptions are clear, accurate, and age-appropriate. Double-page layouts include serviceable illustrations that adequately represent geologic materials. Readers are encouraged to start their own rock collections. Glos., ind. From HORN BOOK Spring 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 4-5-Visually inviting, this series entry has colorful drawings, a minimum of text, and a format dependent upon breaking a large topic into small segments that can be contained on facing pages. Subjects such as "Our rocky world," "Layers of life," and "Precious gemstones" are covered briefly in introductory paragraphs and captions accompanying the eye-catching art. Very simplistic in approach (not all aluminum ends up as cans), this slender work will attract browsers in a classroom collection, but is not a first choice for libraries.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.