Customer Reviews

The Magic School Bus And The Climate Challenge

5 star:		(2)
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The Friz and her class take a trip to the Arctic after seeing Ms. Frizzle's old Geography book, which looks different before the effect of global warming.

The whole global warming issue has become fraught with political tension. I definitely believe that we are making unwise choices as a society, and this book presents the facts in a non-political way.

As all Magic School Bus books do -- it combines humor and scientific facts in an engaging way. Each page is chock full of information meted out in bite-sized chunks, almost like a comic book.

My 11 year daughter and my 5 1/2 year old son both enjoyed this book. My son was even able to spout back some facts to me when I asked him what he had learned from the book -- a couple of days later, even! He said, "Our electrical stuff gives off CO2, and that's bad for the earth."

Our family loves all the Magic School Bus books, but this one stands out above the others because it helps kids understand what they can do to improve the environment. The author explains in terms that kids understand not only how and why people can harm the environment, but also helps kids know what they can do to make it better. I've tried for a long time to get my 4 year old daughter to turn out the lights when she leaves the room, but she never paid attention until she read this book. Now she tells me to turn out the lights! This book brought tears to my eyes because I could see children all over the world taking steps like the kids in this book to change their world.

Description
Like it or not, global warming is a hot topic, and it will affect the younger generation the most. So why not turn to the teacher kids like the most, Ms. Frizzle! Only the Friz can boil all the hoopla down to the scientific facts in a fun and informative way.
With trademark simplicity and wit, Joanna Cole explains why the earth is getting warmer, and Bruce Degen's bright, action-filled illustrations make the science easy to understand and fun to learn. This team brings a new, improved understanding to climate change, engaging kids and empowering all. Teachers will cheer!
Kids already love the Magic School Bus, and the love to do what's right by the planet. At last, a way to teach the curriculum and make an impact!

My Thoughts
The Magic School Bus books never disappoint. I'm glad the author chose to tackle the subject of climate change, especially when there are so many people who don't believe that a problem exists. What I like the most, besides the funny Ms. Frizzle and her smart, smart students, is that it provides opportunities for children to get involved by making small changes right at home. Plus, the illustrations are awesome. And Frizz's outfits are super wacky; I suppose she's a fashionista in her own way!
Lulu, my 6 year old, likes to see the kids preparing for the school play. She says the book should be called the Magic School Plane!
Coco, age 4, likes the air clothes dryer, and the little boy who conserves by not doing his homework!
About the Author
Joanna Cole loved science as a child. "I always enjoyed explaining things and writing reports for school. I had a teacher who was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She loved her subject. Every week she had a child do an experiment in front of the room and I wanted to be that child every week," she recalls. It's no surprise that Cole's favorite book as a child was Bugs, Insects, and Such.
Ms. Cole has worked as an elementary school teacher, a librarian, and a children's book editor. Combining her knowledge of children's literature with her love of science, she decided to write children's books.

About the Illustrator
Mr. Degen has written and illustrated several books among them Jamberry and Sailaway Home, and he has illustrated Nancy White Carlstrom's Jesse Bear books and Jane Yolen's Commander Toad series, in addition to The Magic School Bus books. "The nice thing about books is that they go out into the world. When a kid, parent, or teacher tells you how much he or she likes your book, you realize that you've given something that has become part of someone else's life," Degen says.
Alijah: she liked that the kids were painting, getting ready for the play. Liked when the wings broke off and they landed in the swimming attention and ms frizzle wasn't paying attention; she likes the wind turbines
Courtney: air dryer; she liked the boy conserving by not doing his homework.

In exchange for an honest review, I was provided with a review copy of this book.

Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS AND THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE tells of Ms. Frizzle's students, putting on a play about global warming and in search of facts. The Magic School Bus takes the kids on a worldwide tour observing signs of climate change - and shrinks them to miniature size to get the full scope of problems.