Our Changing Earth

Our home planet's climate has gone through tremendous changes during its history. This fascinating book discusses these changes, explains the processes that drove them, and describes the methods scientists use to learn about the history of Earth's climate. The volume also addresses the kinds of climate changes happening today and clarifies how these differ from changes that occurred in the past. The book's easy-to-follow language will make this complex topic easy for young readers to digest. Series Review: Our Changing Earth"These books are valuable introductions to six areas of our planet that are undergoing change. The short sentences make these books easy enough for students in lower grades, while the content is sufficient for those approaching middle school to gain a basic understanding. Useful for reading aloud, due to the colorful illustrations and presentation of text, the busyness of the pages can be distracting for some readers. Some students might have problems with the vocabulary, however these topics are not always easily expressed using simple language. These titles tie in with ecology, science, and Earth Day, helping students to see the impact of what is being done today and what was done in the past."-Library Media ConnectionSeries Review: Our Changing Earth"These introductions cover a medley of topics, using eye-catching photos, clear diagrams, and text that clearly relay key scientific concepts. . .the series is a useful resource, complete with a link at the back of each volume to a list of websites chosen and updated regularly by the publisher."-School Library Journal

We have the many layers of gases that surround our planet to thank for making Earth a habitable place. This instructive volume explains how Earth's atmosphere warms the planet, moderates its diurnal and nocturnal temperatures, and protects it from harmful rays. The book discusses how Earth's atmosphere evolved over time and presents the ways scientists have learned about these changes. Special attention is paid to the changes in the atmosphere that people have caused over the last two centuries, making this a very timely and topical read. Series Review: Our Changing Earth"These books are valuable introductions to six areas of our planet that are undergoing change. The short sentences make these books easy enough for students in lower grades, while the content is sufficient for those approaching middle school to gain a basic understanding. Useful for reading aloud, due to the colorful illustrations and presentation of text, the busyness of the pages can be distracting for some readers. Some students might have problems with the vocabulary, however these topics are not always easily expressed using simple language. These titles tie in with ecology, science, and Earth Day, helping students to see the impact of what is being done today and what was done in the past."-Library Media ConnectionSeries Review: Our Changing Earth"These introductions cover a medley of topics, using eye-catching photos, clear diagrams, and text that clearly relay key scientific concepts. . .the series is a useful resource, complete with a link at the back of each volume to a list of websites chosen and updated regularly by the publisher."-School Library Journal

Life as we know it would be impossible without water. Luckily for us and the other organisms with which we share our planet, Earth has so much water that it is sometimes known as "the water planet." This engrossing volume describes where water can be found in its solid, liquid, and gaseous states. The book offers the details of Earth's water cycle and highlights the importance of both freshwater and salt water. It also tackles the unpleasant but pressing topic of water pollution. Readers will love the beautiful photographs of rivers, lakes, oceans, and more. Series Review: Our Changing Earth"These books are valuable introductions to six areas of our planet that are undergoing change. The short sentences make these books easy enough for students in lower grades, while the content is sufficient for those approaching middle school to gain a basic understanding. Useful for reading aloud, due to the colorful illustrations and presentation of text, the busyness of the pages can be distracting for some readers. Some students might have problems with the vocabulary, however these topics are not always easily expressed using simple language. These titles tie in with ecology, science, and Earth Day, helping students to see the impact of what is being done today and what was done in the past."-Library Media ConnectionSeries Review: Our Changing Earth"These introductions cover a medley of topics, using eye-catching photos, clear diagrams, and text that clearly relay key scientific concepts. . .the series is a useful resource, complete with a link at the back of each volume to a list of websites chosen and updated regularly by the publisher."-School Library Journal

Lava flows from openings in Earth's surface called volcanoes. More than 80 percent of Earth's surface has been created by volcanoes. Find out more in Volcanoes and Earthquakes, a title in the Our Changing Earth series

Plants and animals affect Earth in many ways. They can spread seeds, cause and prevent erosion, and re-shape the environment to build shelter. Find out more in Plants and Animals, a title in the Our Changing Earth series.

Three key ways in which wind shapes the Earth are weathering, erosion, and deposition. These processes mean that wind can break down and move cliffs, boulders, topsoil, and other solid objects. Find out more in Wind, a title in the Our Changing Earth series.

Many people moved from the countryside to cities as a result of the Industrial Revolution. This process is known as urbanization. Find out more in Humans, a title in the Our Changing Earth series.