Galapagos: Islands Of Change [Hardcover]

Christopher Myers (Author), Lynne Born Myers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1900 | Age Level: 10 and up

Examines the environmental changes on the Gala+a7pagos Islands, six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, a place that has many varieties of plants and animals, as well as a rich history.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7?Beautiful full-color, full-page photographs enhance this overview of both the geological evolution of the islands and their unusual inhabitants. The interesting story is clearly and well told; however, the layout is a little cluttered, with each double-page spread featuring photos, captions, and boxed text. Nevertheless, as an introduction, this is an attractive choice.?Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-7. Spectacular photography and clear, concise text reveal the fascinating story of the Galapagos--the formation of the islands, how they came to be inhabited, and the amazing evolutionary changes taking place there. Difficult concepts, such as plate tectonics and Darwin's theory of evolution, are explained in simple-to-understand terms and accompanied by appropriate examples. Visual learners will benefit from the book's appealing layout, which presents small doses of text surrounded by captioned color photographs, small diagrams, and maps. Covering subjects as varied as volcanoes, plant and animal life, evolution, erosion, and human exploitation of the environment, this will be a useful research tool as well as a rich supplement for the science curriculum. A glossary is appended. Lauren Peterson

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (January 1, 1900)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786800747
• ISBN-13: 978-0786800742
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,323,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imagination sprouts, May 4, 2002

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Galapagos: Islands Of Change (Hardcover)

There was a reason that Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution at the Galapagos Islands, and this book for young adults shows it very well. In this 13 major island archipelago Earth science intersects with animal and natural history.

In 45 pages of the most amazing photographs and text, this book tells the story of the islands' formation over 9 million years ago and how their location hundreds of miles from the nearest continent of South America influenced the gradual development of species unique to this locale.

Kids learn first about volcanic action (still very much alive here) and they can see its bald shape and effects. They see lava cones and vents, the century-old pahoehoe on Santiago and ashy landforms on Bartolome.

Next they learn about the trade winds and sea currents that brought plants and animals to the islands and gradually transformed their landscapes. They meet the famous blue-footed boobies, frigate birds in full expanse, fur seals and sea lions and the marine iguanas found no where else in the world. They see dancing Galapagos tortoises (from which the islands took their name) and their unique land-bound cormorants and penguins, as well as the lush hillsides and unique desert flora, including candelabra and opuntia cacti (the latter being relatives of sunflowers).

In these pages, cacti sprout among fresh lava flows. A child's imagination will grow here, too.

--- Alyssa A. Lappen