Environmental Science & Ecosystems, Rocks, Minerals & Metals, Earth Science

Caves: Mysteries Beneath Our Feet

Name: Caves: Mysteries Beneath Our Feet
Author: David L. Harrison
ISBN: 9781563979156

by David L. Harrison, Cheryl Nathan

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Overview

Caves are dark and mysterious. But they are also among the most marvelous wonders of nature. Limestone caves are especially beautiful. They are decorated with stone frostings that make them look like storybook kingdoms. But how were these wonders of nature formed? And what goes on inside caves? This fascinating book shows us how nature creates caves over many, many years. It shows us how caves often are home to birds and bats and skunks and rats and other creatures. Come with author David L. Harrison and illustrator Cheryl Nathan as they guide us into an amazing world that lies beneath the surface of the earth.

David L. Harrison has a keen interest in how nature works, and holds degrees in biology and parasitology. However, young readers know him from his nearly fifty books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, which include Wild Country, The Purchase of Small Secrets, Farmer's Garden: Rhymes for Two Voices, and the ever-popular Somebody Catch My Homework. Mr. Harrison lives in Missouri.

Cheryl Nathan has illustrated a number of nature books for children, including The Rain Forest Counts; Bugs and Beasties ABC; Wet 'N' Weird; and Hairy 'N' Weird. Her art has been exhibited in galleries in Florida and has won recognition from The Society of Illustrators. She lives in Florida.

About the Author, David L. Harrison

David L. Harrison is the author of more than 70 books that have sold over 15 million copies. Pirates, also illustrated by Dan Burr, was placed on the Texas Bluebonnet Award 2010-2011 Master List. Harrison is the recipient of many awards, including the Christopher Award and the Missouri Librarian Association Literacy Award for the body of his work. He lives in Springfield, Missouri.

Cheryl has worked as an art director and a designer. She has illustrated a number of nature books for children. Her art has won recognition from the Society of Illustrators.

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Editorials

Children's Literature

In simple declarative sentences, this book explains how caves form, what shapes the resulting drips make and what animals live at the mouth as well as deep in the interior. Text is scaled for an older preschool or early elementary school listener, but the words stalactite and stalagmite have pronouncing guide-words to assist the older child reader. A little less technical and informative than Gail Gibbons's Caves and Caverns, which appeals to a slightly older reader, this book's collage illustrations using hand painted papers give the book an artful as well as informative look. While the caves' discovery is loosely based on a farmer's find of a cave in New York State in 1842, the book would introduce caves in general to a young audience and might invite children to marvel at the as-yet-undiscovered mysteries deep within the earth. 2001, Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Susan Hepler

School Library Journal

Gr 2-3-Harrison's introduction to cave formation and life provides little new information, but offers richly textured artwork. The simple, straightforward text first offers an account of the discovery of Howe Caverns in New York. In 1842, a farmer noticed that his cow looked content despite the searing heat. When he investigated, he realized that the creature was experiencing a form of natural air conditioning-she was standing in front of a cave entrance that emitted a cool breeze from an underground network situated directly below his pasture. The text then launches into a broad description of caves, including what they look like, how they evolve, what they consist of, and the ecosystems inside them. Harrison's clear, lyrical narrative is printed in a clean, large typeface that flows nicely. The double-page art layers warm colors, often against a white background, and provides close-up views of cave inhabitants. Gail Gibbons's Caves and Caverns (Harcourt, 1996) and Stephen Kramer's Caves (Carolrhoda, 1994) cover the same subject just as well or better, but Harrison's title will have more appeal to beginning and reluctant readers.-Catherine Threadgill, DeKalb County Public Library, Atlanta, GA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.