'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Saturday 6 January 2018

Review: The Big Earth Book

The Big Earth Book is a brilliant introduction to the sciences of geology, chemistry, physics, palaeontology and biology.

The book explores information about the four elements of earth, air, fir and water in an encyclopedic like manner. I was amazed at how much knowledge was complied into only 256 pages.

The information described in The Big Earth Book is comprehensive. It introduces and builds on each elemental concept  page by page. For example the author and science writer, Mark Brake, explains how the Earth is created. Brake then provides information about tectonic plates which is followed by facts and history about volcanoes and earthquakes.

The language is accessible and easy-to-read while still using scientific language to explain the complex ideas. The Big Earth Book has more than 116 double page spreads that are packed with facts, stories, illustrations, diagrams and photos. The book is easy to navigate and it includes a contents, index and glossary.

The illustrations by Brendan Kearney are clear, informative and engaging. Like a picture book, Kearney has included some characters that reoccur on some of the pages in a delightful and entertaining way.

The Big Earth Book is educational and gives inquisitive minds a sound platform to further explore the elements introduced. To assist readers in their continued investigations the book has provided a list for further reading and a directory of science museums located in the UK, USA and Australia.

Title: The Big Earth Book
Author: Mark Brake
Illustrator: Brendan Kearney
Publisher: Lonely Planet Kids, $29.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2017
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781787012776
For ages: 8+
Type: Non-fiction