BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Book Title: Cause, Effect and Chaos: On Planet Earth (available here)
Author: Paul Mason
Illustrator: Mark Ruffle
Publisher: Wayland Books
Publication Date: August 2018
Most Suitable For: Years 2-4
Reviewed By: Lauren Haines (@MrsHgrps), Y6 Teacher and English Subject Lead
On Planet Earth is part of a series of visually engaging non-fiction books by Paul Mason. Each double-page spread follows the same structure listing the cause and effect of a topic and a linked ‘chaos’ fact. The double-page spreads are set out clearly with arrows and text boxes used to direct the flow for the reader. The layout is stimulating and engaging, using lots of colour, images and diagrams to support the text.
This book focuses on Planet Earth and a range of topics related to our world, like The Big Bang, Flash Flood, Wildfire, and Avalanche to name just a few. This book has all of the usual features of a non-fiction book (contents, glossary and index), but the feature I most liked was the ‘Finding out more’ section, never before in a non-fiction book aimed at primary-aged children have I seen a bibliography included! I love that this book has given children a chance to take hold of their interest and be responsible for finding more reading on a similar subject.
The content of the book is of a level best suited to children in years 2-4, however older children may be particularly interested in the last two double page spreads which cover the topics of ‘Overheating Earth’ and ‘When the Sea Eats the Land’. I think this is an exciting looking non-fiction book that would grab the interest of most children.
Curriculum Links: Geography, Science.
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You can order On Planet Earth online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Lauren for reviewing it.