Natural Resources

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6Three brief books that are stronger in illustrative material than in text. Natural Resources suffers from a lack of organization, as it leaps around from one subject to another. Geological events that occurred over millions of years are made to seem as though they happened quickly. Transportation is the best of the three; the illustrations and sections detailing how engines work are particularly good. Weather is somewhat better organized than Natural Resources, but the scope is too ambitious for the limited space. Simple activities are included in all of the books, but most of them can be found elsewhere. Throughout the texts, readers are asked questions (answers are provided at the end); most of them are quite difficult, however, and many will fail to pique children's interest. The glossaries are particularly useful because, despite the volumes' appearance and format, the reading level is quite high. One-page summaries of milestones and good indexes are also included. The full-color photographs, drawings, charts, and diagrams are usually clear and easy to follow. Overall, these series entries cram too much material into too few pages.Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL