EXPLANATORIUM OF THE EARTH (DK Explanatorium), by DK and the Smithsonian Institute, DK Children, May 21, 2024, Hardcover, $32.99 (ages 8 and up)
Explore our planet — from supervolcanoes to tsunamis — in Explanatorium of the Earth, an encyclopedia from DK and the Smithsonian Institute.
Welcome to the Explanatorium, where the wonders of science are revealed. Watch as tectonic plates tear apart and collide. Witness the destructive power of earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes.
This science book for kids aged 9-12 answers the biggest and smallest questions about our planet, whether it’s tornadoes, tsunamis or tectonic plates. Exploratorium of Earth brings science to life with striking photographic explanations, helping kids to understand just how the world works.
This fact-filled science compendium for children offers:
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- An extensive guide to our planet – breaking down science in an age-appropriate way for children aged 9-12.
- Supports the science curriculum in schools up to Key Stage 3.
- A microscope, telescope and kaleidoscope of knowledge all rolled into one, with photography to illustrate key concepts.
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What makes volcanoes erupt? Why are tornadoes and hurricanes so destructive? How do rocks, fossils, and gems form? Go on a voyage deep into the heart of our planet and back to discover the powerful forces that continually shape and remodel our ever-changing world. Discover how tectonic plates move millimetre by millimetre to create continents, mountain ranges, oceans, and volcanoes. Witness the destructive power of earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. Be inspired by all this and more in this ultimate guide to Earth for budding scientists. —Synopsis provided by DK
Explanatorium of the Earth is the type of book kids and adults will enjoy. It offers a fair amount of information on a lot of different topics. Most people won’t read it from cover-to-cover, although you could if you wanted to. Instead, most readers will graze, skipping around and reading what catches their interest. And at almost 300 pages, there’s a lot to capture interest.
A lot of the information here is answers to questions parents and kids will encounter in everyday life. For example, we just got home from a visit to the Grand Canyon. And there’s a section on how canyons work. Many families head to the beach during the summer. Why not learn about how coastlines change and how waves work prior to heading out? There’s something for everyone.
The major selling point of Explanatorium of the Earth is the photography. This book is beautiful. Large photographs paired with some explanatory graphics really bring topics to life. The art is bold and beautiful and drops you right into the action.
At a price point of $32.99, Explanatorium of the Earth is not cheap. But it’s well worth the investment. It’s a book that’s going to get a lot of use in my house.
Explanatorium of the Earth is part of an ongoing partnership between DK and the Smithsonian Institute. Other books in the series include Explanatorium of Science, and Explanatorium of Nature (an updated version is set for a Sept. 17 release).
Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
