The Living Earth [Paperback]

E. Schmid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up

In detailed pictures and simple words, Eleonore Schmid introduces the complex ecosystem beneath our feet and reveals the ways in which people depend upon the living earth. Full color.

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

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Schmid continues her nature series by considering the ecology of Earth. She concentrates on the importance of topsoil and describes the complex interactions of plants and animals that maintain this resource's viability. In her discussion of the impact of humans on the Earth, she crosses the scientific with the social. The author notes that some farmers carefully plant their crops to restore the earth but faults large-scale agricultural use of artificial fertilizers and other practices for reducing the land's natural productivity. She also warns against squandering resources such as coal and oil. As in Air and Water, softly colored, double-page spreads of panoramic views and poetic language emphasize the wonder and beauty of the natural world. Rather than serving as a handbook of factual information for science reports, this volume garners an appreciation of the environment that could serve as a thought-provoking introduction to Earth science and ecology.
Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 6-8. As in The Water's Journey (1990) and The Air around Us (1992), Schmid provides a basic introduction to a complex subject in an attractive picture-book format. Appropriately colored in rich, warm earth tones and lush, cool greens, beautifully detailed illustrations reveal the abundance of diverse plant and animal life that live in the soil--from the microscopic organisms invisible to the naked eye to the rabbits and badgers that burrow underground. Along with describing the amazing cycle of renewal taking place just below the earth's surface, the author looks at the proper way to farm the land and at the destructive things human beings do to the earth. Schmid's talent for handling these difficult subjects with ease makes this third book about the environment a valuable addition to the "easy" nonfiction shelf. Lauren Peterson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South / Night Sky Books (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735813159
• ISBN-13: 978-0735813151
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,385,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both my sons loved this book!!, May 13, 2008

By 

frankie (Waynesburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Earth (School & Library Binding)

I'm a homeschooling mom, looking for books which inspire *and* inform, and this is a gem. The information is solid and well-presented and the pictures convey a sense of wonder for the subject. They pulled in my sons, both the quiet studious one, and the rambunctious can't-sit-still one - so it's got a pretty broad appeal. This is not a dry presentation of the facts, it is a passionate plea for us to wonder at and care about the earth.

It covers all aspects of soil fertility, including the roles that plants, micro-organisms and insects and animals play, in simple and accessible language. With facts that just blew my young son's mind. ("Mom, did you know that there are more micro-organisms in a single handful of soil, than there are people on the entire earth"). It also discusses human impact (mostly negative) and reminds us that if we take care of the earth, it will take care of us.

As a heads-up, we are organic here, but if you grow with chemicals, be prepared for some hard questions after your kids read this book.


I'm off to get her other two books about water and air. Hope they are as wonderful as this one is. Definitely a keeper.