Thunder Underground (Jane Yolen)

Title:  Thunder Underground

Author:  Jane Yolen

Illustrator:   Josee Masse

Target Ages:  5-10

Genre:  Poetry

Publisher Summary: 

What is under your feet?

Ant cities

Fox dens

Rabbit warrens

Now dig deeper.

Subways

Forgotten towns

Fossilized bones

What other secrets hide deeper still beneath your shoes?

Favorite Poem:

“Corny Conversations”

It sounds too odd

for us to hear,

corn plants can talk,

not mouth to ear.

But with a strange

and clicking sound,

their taproots speak

beneath the ground.

We don’t know what

corn rootlings say

when they communicate

this way.

But scientific studies

show

they do this as they

grow and grow

and grow.

Evaluation:

I am drawn to poetry that brings out the wonder of the world, utilizes imaginative language, and teaches a little science at the same time.  It makes me wish I was still an elementary teacher.  Poetry brings out the spectacle and awe of the world that science textbooks sorely lack.

Thunder Underground can be used along with several science units to start a lesson or to prompt writing across the curriculum:

• Insects
• Plants
• Paleontology/Dinosaurs
• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes
• Archeology
• Geology

Yolen uses a variety of poetry styles from haiku to free verse.  Each one brings out a new angle about the hidden world below from the natural to the man-made (subway, basement).  Some of the information is common knowledge for adults, but not necessarily so for children.  Other fascinating facts will surprise many like plants communicating with each other and the sound of beetles walking underground. 

I love Josee Masse’s illustrations.  Each page turn offers a sweeping look at the world—both above and below the surface—with deep colors and stunning depictions. Two inquisitive children (a boy and a girl) are often pictured observing and inquiring. 

Poetry and science collide to make a wondrous experience in Thunder Underground.  It is a must have for an elementary school classroom or home collection.  These poems are sure to encourage children to think about the many unseen and unknown aspects of the world. 

For more great poems and poetry book selections, visit this week's Poetry Friday.

Picture Book (Science): Inside Earthquakes (by Melissa Stewart)

While perusing the NEW non-fiction section in the library, I came across a new science series called Inside from Sterling Children’s Books.   I checked out Inside Earthquakes (by Melissa Stewart). 

Visually, this book is stunning!  A multitude of large, striking photographs are used along with diagrams and illustrations that accompany the text (by Cynthia Shaw).  Many of the photos illustrate the destruction of earthquakes that have occurred all around the world.  For instance, the aftermath of the quake in Japan (2011) depicts a large area of rubble contrasting with a sole bike rider moving through it.  A satellite photo shows the before and after of one area hit by a tsunami caused by an earthquake in the middle of the ocean.  Each picture effectively shows the devastating physical and human consequences.  In addition, photographs and illustrations portray the fault lines and quake patterns as well as the instruments and people who work to predict and understand these natural phenomena. 

A unique feature of this book is the 10 fold-out pages, making it perfect for hands-on learners who like to keep busy while reading.  These fold-outs also give a large-scale feeling to the subject while allowing for many related ideas to be side by side.  Pages fold out both horizontally and vertically. 

The text is well-written.  It is straight-forward and easy to understand.  There is a balance of providing basic information while also delving into some more complex ideas.   Much of the information is recent (2011), but it also offers glimpses of the past as far back as the ancient world.  Charts provide information on major quakes in key areas as well as the 10 deadliest ones in recorded history.  A fold-out overviews a comparison of Moment Magnitude and Modified Mercalli Scales and includes photographs of the type of destruction that comes with each phase. 

I found myself completely captivated in the personal writings of those who experienced earthquakes first hand along with the photographs and factual information.  I highly recommend Inside Earthquakes for ages 8 and up.  

This post is linked up with Science Sunday at Adventures of Mommydom and Nonfiction Monday hosted by Ana's Nonfiction Blog.

Picture Books (Science): Rocks and Minerals (Geology)

In science, we are learning about rocks and minerals.   I have been researching picture book resources to use for teaching this fascinating science topic.  Here are a couple good ones I have found so far:

Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! (ages 3-7) by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace 

Buddy loves collecting rocks, so his mother suggests they go on a rock walk at the local Nature Center.  At each stop on the trail, Buddy learns about rocks and minerals.  Rock Stop 1 explains that Earth is a ball of rock.  Next, Stop 2 teaches how rocks are formed—erosion, plant roots, and weather. The most interesting is Rock Stop 3.  A Rock Ridge Ranger shows various rocks as he teaches the three rock types—sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.  Buddy finds a box of rocks at Stop 4.  He sorts them in various ways, such as by design, shape, and texture.  Then, he uses them to create designs and figures.  Finally, at Rock Stop 5, he discovers how rocks and minerals are used as materials in  houses and everyday objects.  Buddy is more enthusiastic than ever after his trip to the Nature Center.  The simple cut-paper artwork contrasts nicely with the photographs of rocks and minerals.   The text and information in Rocks! Rocks! Rocks! is perfect for young children.  The facts are revealed in small segments with Buddy asking questions and responding.  Along the way, he also adds some silly “rock” humor.  Your young geology enthusiast will feel like a “rock” star after reading Rocks! Rocks! Rocks!

Jump Into Science: Rocks & Minerals (ages 5-10) by Steve Tomecek  

This vibrantly illustrated guide through basic geology begins with minerals as the building blocks of all rocks.  Then, the history of rocks is revealed.  Examples of rocks being used as ancient tools (spear point, arrow head, and scraper) as well as in architecture (Egyptian pyramids, Pantheon, Notre Dame Cathedral) are displayed.  The bulk of the books is devoted to how rocks are formed which broken into three ways or types—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.  Using concise text, colorful pictures, diagrams, and photographs the development of each type is well documented. Also, the rock cycle is diagramed and briefly explained.  Young readers are challenged to think about how the rocks they discover might have been formed and to figure out what minerals are in them.  An experiment in making a rock at home is also included. The author does an outstanding job presenting the material in a concise and engaging manner.  The diagrams and pictures also make this resource first-rate.  Use Jump Into Science: Rocks & Minerals in your study of elementary geology or for leisure reading with your youngsters. 

This week Practically Paradise is hosting Non-Fiction Monday.  Check out what other bloggers are reading.