Planet Earth: 25 Environmental Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)
Both comprehensive and approachable, this title in the Projects You Can Build Yourself series combines explanations of science concepts and environmental issues with hands-on projects. Initial chapters offer basic facts about earth and life sciences, beginning with a discussion of what’s usually meant by the term the environment. Later chapters explore threats to the planet’s health in a survey of pollution and global warming. Throughout, terms appear in bold type and then are defined in frequent “Words to Know” boxes. Elementary- and middle-school students will find the succinct overview of the facts very useful, and they’ll welcome the clearly presented projects, which range from a granola recipe that will teach them about native foods around the globe to handmade card games for multiple players. Extensive further readings and an eye-catching design filled with drawings complete a title that while educating kids about the environment steers them past despair with the reminder that every individual action helps: “Some changes are better than none.” Grades 4-7. --Gillian Engberg--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.