Geography & Mapping

Don't Know Much About Planet Earth

Name: Don't Know Much About Planet Earth
Author: Kenneth C. Davis
ISBN: 9780064408349

by Kenneth C. Davis, Tom Bloom

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Overview

Do sleeping volcanoes snore? (see page 12)
Is the Dead Sea dead? (see page 21)
How icy is Iceland? (see page 78)

Join best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis on an entertaining trek across the globe as he answers some big questions about the world in the amusing style that has won millions of readers.

With fascinating anecdotes about the world's most unusual places and notable quotes from world travelers throughout history, Davis leads you to the longest river, coldest desert, tallest waterfall, most powerful volcanic eruption, and much more. Humorous illustrations and amazing stories make the "boring" facts of geography come to life as you read about Marco Polo's adventures in China and discover that people in Latin America speak Spanish and Portuguese — not Latin at all!

Kenneth C. Davis brings the verve of his popular best-seller Don't Know Much About® Geography to a new audience. He makes it fun to learn more about this incredible planet we call home.

Synopsis

Do sleeping volcanoes snore? (see page 12)
Is the Dead Sea dead? (see page 21)
How icy is Iceland? (see page 78)

Join best-selling author Kenneth C. Davis on an entertaining trek across the globe as he answers some big questions about the world in the amusing style that has won millions of readers.

Kenneth C. Davis brings the verve of his popular best-seller Don't Know Much About® Geography to a new audience. He makes it fun to learn more about this incredible planet we call home.

People Magazine

Reading [Davis] is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had.

About the Author, Kenneth C. Davis

Kenneth C. Davis is the bestselling author of America's Hidden History and Don't Know Much About^® History, which spent thirty-five consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has sold nearly 1.6 million copies, and gave rise to his phenomenal Don't Know Much About^® series for adults and children. He lives in New York City and Dorset, Vermont.

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Editorials

ALA Booklist

“This entry in the Don’t Know Much About series introduces children to the home planet. ”

People Magazine

Reading [Davis] is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had.

Publishers Weekly

Davis, author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About... series for adults, is known for his light writing tone and thorough yet accessible explanations of complex topics. He recently created two new books for children inspired by some of his popular works for adults, which in turn were captured on audio. Science is far from dull on these solid recordings that explore geography and astronomy. Wyman authoritatively presents fun facts and anecdotes with a lively, almost gee-whiz air. ("Is the solar system as old as the universe? Nope. Our Sun and planets are only middle aged compared to the universe. Five billion years ago, the solar system was a huge, cold, spinning cloud of dust and gas...."). The material's q&a format (children read the questions and Wyman reads the answers), complete with several fast-paced "true/false" and "pop quiz" segments keep things rolling alongAand keep listeners hooked, at least for a while. Because of the sheer volume of information presented here, these programs are likely to be more easily digested in small portions. But no listener will walk away from these titles without several factoids that will not only help with school subjects but will sound impressive when repeated. Ages 8-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

In the tradition of the author's other "Don't Know Much about" books, this selection touches on a subject that many American students avoid—in this case, geography. Using a format based on questions and answers, the author traces key geographic factors that help to shape the world we live in. Each of the seven continents is featured, including topics such as climate, noteworthy geographic features, weather and lifestyles. Did you know that Antarctica is one of the world's largest deserts? Are you aware that Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world? Would it surprise you to know that Japan is one of the wealthiest countries in the world but also one of the least self-sufficient in terms of natural resources? These and many other fascinating questions and answers are presented in this fast-paced geography book. Readers young and old will find something of interest in this book. 2001, HarperCollins, $19.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Having scored hits with five "Don't Know Much About" books for adults, Davis goes for a younger audience, laying out basic knowledge with a combination of breezy questions and answers punctuated by boxed asides, quotations, or biographical sketches. He also includes lighthearted pop quizzes along the lines of: "The Amazon River gets its name from a group of legendary Greek: a) warriors b) Internet companies c) river boats d) water gods." In Planet Earth he discusses the physical and political geography of each continent, scattering memorable facts and (usually) clever jokes throughout ("How are deserts like desserts?" "Deserts, like apple pie, can be served hot or cold"). In Space he takes on stars, the solar system, the history and structure of the universe, space exploration, black holes, dark matter, the search for life on other planets, and more. Bloom's cartoon drawings add further humorous notes to Planet Earth, but it lacks some much-needed maps; in Space, Ruzzier's somewhat more sophisticated but still decorative art is supplemented by several photos and photo-realist paintings. Few readers will come away from these books without having been amazed or amused, but considering the array of more systematic, better-illustrated books available on the topics, they are supplementary purchases at best.-John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.