Fire (Let's Explore Series)

Children's Literature

How do you make fire? What does it do? This new science book will show how this fire is important and its positive uses. The book does a nice job of describing the dangers of fire along with the benefits of using fire. It shows what fire can do, and then asks the children to be careful when they see a fire. The pictures are particularly beautiful, for example, one is of an igloo with a fire just outside the door, glowing as it keeps the Eskimo warm. Some of the pictures are very close up, like the one of a match head just starting to burn. The pictures can also be quite far away, like that of a forest fire or of fireworks. The pictures in this book, along with the pictures in the other four element books, do a good job assisting with explaining the science. The back of the book contains an index so that children can practice using a simple index to find information. The book is plainly written, enabling a child who is discovering how to do research for the first time to use it. Part of the "Let's Explore" series. 2001, Gareth Stevens, $21.26. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson