Discover Nature in the Rocks: Things to Know and Things to Do (Discover Nature Series) [Paperback]

Rebecca Lawton (Author), Diana Lawton (Author), Susan Panttaja (Author), Irene Guidici Ehret (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Discover Nature Series

Combines dozens of simple, non-intrusive activities with detailed illustrations and informative text to provide a friendly introduction to hands-on study of rocks and the earth. Perfect for adults and children.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

According to education experts and other savants of sometimes doubtful motive, most Americans' grasp of basic science principles is abysmally shaky. But now, with this user-friendly introduction, help is available for understanding at least the science of geology. As the subtitle implies, the book is loaded with facts and projects. The writing is informative, tidy, engaging, and greatly augmented by the copious illustrations. The projects (the likes of "Measuring Longshore Currents" and "Understanding Isostasy") are simple, meaningful, and excellent for undertaking with children. Perfect for families, the book is also entertaining and useful for adults without children who are interested in painlessly learning some new or brushing up on their old geological knowledge. Mike Tribby

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811727203
• ISBN-13: 978-0811727204
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #989,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning Names a Plus!, September 21, 2000

By 

Candor McNair (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discover Nature in the Rocks: Things to Know and Things to Do (Discover Nature Series) (Paperback)

I loved this book! I wasn't bothered at all by the authors teaching the names of geologic processes and phenomena. Being a writer, I found it helpful and interesting to read all the new-to-me labels of things. The language of geology seems to be fascinating, and I enjoyed very much that aspect of the book. Beyond that, I found the book fun to read and easy to understand. It's unassuming cover doesn't convey how much information lies within its pages. I've also used it as a reference several times already in my writing. It's fun to have around, and I recommend it highly!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A geology book I could dig right into, November 4, 1999

By 

David Templeton (Earthquake Country, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discover Nature in the Rocks: Things to Know and Things to Do (Discover Nature Series) (Paperback)

This book is a miracle. I understand the Earth now. The concepts are clearly explained, entertainingly illustrated with remarkably weird experiments, and explored with an unmistakable sense of wonder and delight for the natural world. I highly reccomend this book for teachers, parents-or just your average scientist wannabe.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too much geo-speak, not much that's engaging or enthusiastic, March 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Discover Nature in the Rocks: Things to Know and Things to Do (Discover Nature Series) (Paperback)

As an Earth Science teacher, geologist, and director of many summer science camps for K-8 children, I thought this book was interesting for its attempt to clearly describe geologic features, patterns, and phenomena. However, as one who has read nearly all of the Earth Science "discovery" or "hands-on" books currently in print, there are many, many other engaging and wonder-filled books available that you should consider instead. This book is full of projects (42 in a 216 page book), but some are unsafe (Fracturing Glass, heating marbles in a skillet-- marbles often have discrete air pockets and can explode when heated!),some are inappropriate (Soda Pop! involves shaking a can of soda and then pulling the tab--what every parent, caretaker, and teacher loves to clean up), only 1 is illustrated to show you what to expect, none give you age-appropriate guidelines, a few are distinctive (Volcano Tarts), but nearly all are uninspired recitations of time-worn activities associated with geology (vinegar and baking soda volcanoes, examining backyard dirt, plaster casts of "fossils"). If parents, teachers, or curious adults seek to engage themselves or their children in shared discovery, there simply isn't enough creativity or enthusiasm offered to compel discovery of the planet we are all intimately connected to. Discover Nature in the Rocks... is, as Mike Tibby of Booklist asserts, "loaded with facts" and it is a "useful" source of geologic information. Indeed, it reads like a textbook on Physical Geology. But as it excels in competent descriptions, it fails to convey to the reader any sort of passion in knowing--or the excitement of discovering--the Earth's amazing processes, patterns, energy, and beauty. Education experts bemoan the inability--if not indifference--of the general public to grasp basic scientific principles. We need "discovery" books to rekindle and sustain a personal fascination with the Earth. Discover Nature in the Rocks... errs in offering a learning strategy based on proper terminology over useful experiences. This rekindles nothing but indifference.