Shaping the Earth [Hardcover]

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (Author), William Munoz (Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Ever since Earth was formed more than 4.5 billion years ago, the planet has been continuously shaped by dynamic forces. The most significant impact was made by the introduction of life. From the smallest single-cell organism to the most populous cities, living things--especially human beings--have had a profound effect on the planet. As a new millennium begins, conservation efforts are more important than ever for Earth's survival. Authoritative text and dramatic photographs show how our role in shaping the Earth can be just as significant as the massive eruptions of volcanoes or the shifting of huge tectonic plates. GLOSSARY, INDEX.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Patent describes the Earth's origin and structure, then shows how continental drift and other forces raise the surface and wear it down, leading up to the argument that when it comes to shaping this planet, life, especially human life, has proven to be the strongest force of all. Many of the photos are simply breathtaking, from the nighttime fireworks of Costa Rica's Arenal volcano that fill the title-page spread to sweeping vistas in Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, and elsewhere. Though the illustrations aren't always as enlightening as they might be-a diagram of the Earth's interior is not drawn to scale, for instance, and it's impossible to tell whether a stunning shot of a lava flow's gnarled surface is a close-up or not-they effectively bring out the complexity and beauty of geological phenomena. The book closes with substantial lists of terms, books, and Web sites, and makes an excellent companion to or replacement for Sandra Markle's Earth Alive! (Lothrop, 1991; o.p.).
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This concise, attractive volume succeeds in a daunting task--to present the history of Earth in 88 pages of compelling, age-appropriate text. "Earth has changed from a lumpy mass of rocks that collided with one another and stuck together into a planet with soaring mountains . . . and giant oceans," Patent writes in the introduction. "Living things have changed Earth profoundly, both by their own activities and by their interactions with geological forces." The book traces these two premises through clearly organized chapters, from the "Rocky Beginnings" and the theoretical origins of life through the "Restless Earth" and plate tectonics, the carving of the ice ages, characteristics of our era in "The Living Planet," and a final chapter addressing the impact of humans on Earth. Interspersed among the chapters are two-page spreads spotlighting natural features, wonders, and disasters, including Patent's first-person account of a hurricane's aftermath. William Munoz's full-color photographs, well-chosen and reproduced, will draw young readers into the text. In school and on their own, children will find much to propel them through this fascinating volume. A glossary and a list of further references, including Web sites, are appended. Gillian Engberg

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (March 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395856914
• ISBN-13: 978-0395856918
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,994,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inforamtive, engaging, splendidly illustrated!, August 16, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shaping the Earth (Hardcover)

Shaping The Earth is a superbly designed introduction for your readers to how the Earth was originally formed and then shaped through the subsequent eons of time down to this very day. Dorothy Patent shows how tectonic plates shift continents and creates mountains; the role of volcanoes, glaciers, rivers, and wind in shaping the landscape and geology of Earth. But most fascinating of all is the evolving role living organisms from the first single-cell entities to the profound influence of human beings on the physical landscapes of our planet. Patent's informative, engaging text is splendidly illustrated throughout with color photograph illustrations by William Munoz. Highly recommended for school and community library collections of science books for young readers, Shaping The Earth is enhanced with a glossary of terms, list of recommended books for further study, a roster of relevant websites, and a "student friendly" index.