Review: Earth by Marion Dane Bauer

 Today's read is for those curious, beginning readers out there...and space fans! I have read a few books in the Ready-to-Read series and enjoyed them. So, when I discovered there are some non-fiction included as well, and even about space, I had a feeling it might be a good read. 

Put on those thinking caps...or space helmets, in this case, because off we go!

EARTH

Our Universe 

Ready-to-Read, Level One

by Marion Dane Bauer

Illustrated by John Wallace

Simon Spotlight

Children's Non-Fiction

32 pages

ages 4 to 6

Learn all about planet Earth in the third book in this nonfiction Level 1 Ready-to-Read series about the universe that’s perfect for kids who love science and space!

Our home planet is a lucky one. It’s unlike any other planet in space! Earth gives us life and protects us. Readers will discover fun facts about Earth in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read!

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MY TIDBITS

Young readers get a broad view of Earth, everything from the position of its orbit around the sun to the various things found on its surface, to realize how amazing the planet is.

This book is geared to those readers, who have a basic handle on their reading skills, but aren't ready to take on too many words at once. There are only a couple lines on each page, letting the colorful illustrations take over the rest. The vocabulary is, for the most part, age appropriate, and for those words, which go above and beyond, there's a glossary with explanations. And this glossary, unlike many reads, is in the front of the books. So, readers can get a feel for the tough words before they hit the text. The text flows well and introduces the information broadly, while the illustrations help to make the written word and facts more understandable. At the end of the book, there are more direct and fun facts for readers.

A vast variety of information is covered. While the first pages take a peek at Earth's orbit around the sun, and then, moves into the change of seasons, the end heads on to the variety of life and experiences found on Earth like animals, cities, and plants. While some information was offered a bit too general and will need more explanation for readers to understand exactly what's meant, this does do a nice job at showing the large versatility of our planet and offer some simple science facts. 

And here they are...

Marion Dane Bauer is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book On My Honor and the Coretta Scott King Book Illustrator Award winner The Stuff of Stars. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and can be reached at MarionDaneBauer.com

John Wallace’s formal training was not in illustration, but rather theology, which he received at Cambridge University. However, he always loved drawing, and one of his early jobs was as a newspaper cartoonist. In his children’s books illustrations, John is particularly inspired by what he calls “the gooniness” of young school children. John and his family divide their time between Brighton, England, and Long Island, New York.