Mountains Book

An overview of mountains, including how they are formed, how they change over time, what lives and grows there, and what resources and dangers mountains offer mankind.

Cindy L. Carolan - Children's Literature

Did you know that a mountain is steep-sided high land that reaches more than 984 feet above the ground around it? Anything below such a height is considered a hill! Each two-page spread in this highly informative volume pertains to a different aspect of mountains and is identified by a bold heading (such as climate, natural riches and fold and block mountains) with a purple background. The cross section illustrations contained in the book are finely done, containing sufficient detail to educate but still hold the young reader's interest. Photographs are brilliant, many taken from unusual angles and the borders are edged in what appears to be a rocky or gravelly texture. Picture captions are uniquely presented in boxes with arrows pointing to the picture in question. The text reads easily, with certain words that are contained in the glossary in bold type. A "mountain fact file" and bibliography are also contained at the end. This is part of the series of books entitled "Geography First," which include the titles Coasts, Islands, Maps and Symbols, Rivers and Streams, and Volcanoes. This book would work well in a natural or earth science unit. Recommended. 2004, Blackbirch Press/Thompson Gale, Ages 9 to 12.