The Geography of the Earth

Welcome to the Earth From the swirling Northern Lights of Alaska to Antarctica's desolate Wright Valley, our planet is one of fantastic landscapes and marvelous inhabitants. Susan Brooks looks at each continent and finds unusual and fascinating bits of history and geography that make the study of our physical world especially interesting to young readers.
In concise and easy-to-understand sections, she explores how this planet works--the water cycle, rock cycle, forests, and life in the air, under the sea, and deep in the soil. She investigates subjects that young people wonder about--how the continents looked before they began to drift, or what the center of the earth looks like. As they turn the pages of this beautifully illustrated book, they'll be entertained and also begin to see the earth as an efficient and miraculous contraption that is constantly changing and restoring itself.
Next, each continent in showcased. Basic information about the physical characteristics of each area are explained and special features are highlighted. For instance:
North America: caribou in Canada, the march of the Monarch Butterfly, the Mississippi delta, waterspouts and earthquakes
South America: condors in the Andes, the Galapagos Islands, the spider monkey, the three-toed sloth, the giant armadillo
Europe: alpine glaciers and avalanches, the new volcanic island of Surtsey, the midnight sun, acid rain, and migrating salmon
Asia: animals in danger, sand and dust storms ("Haboobs"), Gulf War pollution, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, and Mount Everest
Oceania: Geysers of New Zealand, the Bungle Bungle Range, Boab trees, the Great Barrier Reef, the duck-billed platypus, dingos and koalas
Africa: "Mountains of the Moon", the Red Lake, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, diamonds in South Africa, the welwitschia plant, and lungfish
Antarctica: Icebergs, humpbacked whale, the ozone hole, the valleys of Antarctica, and penguins
The full-color illustrations, numerous sidebars, "Did you know?" boxes, a glossary, and an index all help to make this introduction to the landscapes and natural features of our home a useful and enjoyable reference for young people ages 8-12. By focusing on the unique qualities of each part of the world, Susan Brooks brings her audience a fresh and entertaining view of the geography and history of the natural world.