A Drop Around the World (Hardcover)

by Barbara McKinney (Author), Michael S. Maydak (Illustrator) "Nestled in a cloud near Maine,..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Review
. . .inspires respect for water and its unique role on Earth. Imaginative and informative, A Drop Around the World is highly recommended for all young readers. -- The Midwest Book Review - The Children's Bookwatch

Children will never view rain in the same way after reading this book. -- The Green Teacher

Winner of the 1998 Publisher's Marketing Assoc. Benjamin Franklin Silver Award - Environment Category -- Publisher's Marketing Assoc.

Product Description
Presents the water cycle through the journey of a raindrop around the world, in sky, on land, underground, and in the sea, in its liquid, solid, and vapor forms, as it supports life everywhere.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Publications (CA) (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883220718
• ISBN-13: 978-1883220716
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #869,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AS TECHNECALLY EXCELLENT AS ENTERTAINING!, March 4, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

Who would have ever thought the water cycle could be so entertaining! As an Environmental Educator, I am very VERY picky about children's nature books. Many are too technical to become a household favorite. Many others are too "watered down" (sorry very bad pun) to have any value in the classroom as a content book. Once in a very long while will a book be able to accomplish both goals. "A Drop Around the World" does this and much more.

Amazon lists it as suitable for ages 4-8 -- a conservative estimate, at best. Like only the best children books can, it appeals to all ages. And like only the best EE books, it has educational messages for young and old. At first, my 3-year-old was mainly concerned with searching out the "protagonist" drop from the rest of the water on each page. Now he also enjoys identifying all of the animals, so expertly drawn, as the pages go by. I myself get caught up in the text. I marvel at how factual and informative McKinney can be and still maintain an engaging and unforced rhyme scheme.

And finally as an added bonus, even the artwork is virtually flawless. I'm pleased to say that after close inspection I have found only one error. On the African Rainforest pages there is a Harpy Eagle which is a species only found in South America. Few $60-$80 ecology textbooks fair as well under my scrutiny!

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on the magic of Nature's Water Cyle, February 23, 2000

By	Anna Philbin (Connnecticut) - See all my reviews

A clever poetic presentation integrates Language Arts and Science in a creative way. In addition to accuracy of content information, the author, Barbara Shaw McKinney incorporates literary devices: figurative language, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and personification. The opportunities for learning are endless as children read across the curriculum.

I particularly like the symbols that appear throughout the text, where the drop demonstrates the water cycle properties. They are further explained in the end pages titled, "A Magic Show Starring H2O." During subsequent readings, my students enjoyed dramatizing Drop's travels. "A Drop Around the World" lends itself well to interactive dramatization. For example, by pairing an action and sound effect with each water property/symbol, students are able to reenact Drop's journey, totally engaged in the text.

On another level, children are anxious to locate the drop on each page as it is revealed by the context of the story.

A "must have jewel" for innovative teachers attempting to engage the imagination of their students! Barbara Shaw McKinney's love of Nature's Magic is contagious as evidenced by the response of my students. They loved it!

I can hardly wait to see what wonders her next book will unearth!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT discussion of the water cycle!, April 12, 2007

By	Nicole Kintzele "EnviroNK" (LaPorte, IN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Drop Around the World (Paperback)

I am an environmental educator for a Soil and Water Conservation District. I use this book with elementary aged students. I read it before doing an activity where the children go on their own "water journey" and pretend that they are raindrops. The book serves as an excellent background and visual reference for the children when they go on their own journey.

The illustrations are beautiful, factual and informative. HIGHLY recommended for all ages!