Customer Reviews

Earthsteps: A Rock's Journey through Time

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enthusiastically recommend this book! Who knew that the journey of a rock through time was dramatic AND fascinating? When was the last time you considered how a simple rock came to be? This story is as educational as it is entertaining to the children who have read it in my home. I had a five-year-old guest for the weekend, and THIS is the book she wanted out of all the books in my library. She was drawn to this rock and cared what happened to it. It was fun for her to "find" the rock in every beautiful illustration. Every time I read it to the younger children, I learn a little more, too!

*Earthsteps: A Rock's Journey Through Time* is one of those rare children's books that an adult can also enjoy reading over and over. The illustrations complement the thoughtful and intelligent text, making it a journey to enjoy and to learn from at the same time. My 14 year old read it eagerly, as did my 11 year old. I expected that because they are both voracious readers who have a geologist father, but what I was delighted by was the excited interest of the 5 through 9 year olds to whom I read it at the school where I substitute teach regularly. I highly recommend this fine work to everyone.

Historically accurate! We could find lots of books about dinosaurs, but very little about geology for children. What we liked about this book is that it is scientifically sound, yet not too complicated for children.

My 9 year old loves this book and enjoyed reading it to me. The illustrations were outstanding. It's difficult to get a 9 year old interested in geology, but this book captivated his attention and educated him at the same time. Great book!

It is clear the author wants to engage the reader into seeing the excitement of the geologic cycle, and to teach earth science to children using scientific terms. The book is beautifully illustrated, and exceptionally well written It is clear the author has an excellent background in geology.

When I read the book to my grandchildren, they want it read again and again. Looking at rocks, the children and I have a new perspective of what a rock really is and how it came about.

I look forward to other books by this author!

"Earthsteps" opens with a timeline: a graphic image of geological timescale, going back 4600 million years. The story itself begins a mere 250 million years ago. "A rock hurtled down the cliff and landed with a muddy spray on a rock pile. Thwap!" A rock may seem an unlikely main character for a picture book, but this prehistoric rock provides a focal point as the millennia pass. Mixed-media paintings show the changes in the rock's surroundings over time. The land changes; oceans rise and fall; plants and animal life vary. The rock weathers to a pebble, then a grain of sand, and eventually fuses into sandstone as the geologic cycle continues. Previously published in 2000, the out-of-print title has been re-released for a new generation of young children. The straightforward text is accessible to read-aloud listeners. Independent readers may need help with a few words, but the scientific terms are understandable in context. A glossary provides simple definitions.

My mom bought this book for my son several years ago at a small bookshop. It has been one of our favorites ever since. My son has enjoyed it from 4 years old to 11 and now his 3 and 4 year old brother and sister are enjoying it. This is one of the best. It is geology with a slight spritual undertone - I think anyway! I wish this book was available new to give as gifts.

as someone working with geologists and geology as a career, i found earthsteps to be a fun way to introduce this subject to children. most children are not exposed to earth science, so a book of this calibur should be a part of all elementary school libraries.

This is a very colorful and educational book for kids. It's a fun way for children to learn about geology!

While working at elementary school and public libraries for a number of years, I noticed there were very few interesting picture books on geology for grade school children. Earthsteps meets this need and children love it! The pictures are gorgeous, and following the rock as it journeys through time not only presents an easy to understand introduction to geology, but also keeps kids interested as they find the ever diminishing rock in each picture!