Topic: Awesome Planet Earth

This large-format, colourful tome is packed to the rafters with facts, figures of interest. Each matt double-page spread is focused around one particular view of Earth – Earth is old, for example. The next double page provides a contrasting perspective – Earth is young or hot/dry or fast/slow and so on. This format allows for an unusual compare and contrast array of detail and fact and allows the reader to view the fascinating subject of the Earth around us from a multitude of different viewpoints.

Each page has simple, eye-catching infographic style illustrations that add to the interest whilst not detracting from the written information. Chunks of boxed up, thematically organised facts and explanations are arranged around the page in an easily navigated format. The writing addresses the reader in the second person ‘Every star that you see with your naked eye’ for example, thus allowing the reader to feel that the author is talking directly to them, which adds a friendly feel to some fairly weighty material.

Aimed at children, Earth is Big makes the mind-blowing scientific study of Earth tangible and relatable. It’s a clever trick to connect new and perhaps complex concepts to experiences and objects that are within children’s knowledge and understanding. Being able to relate and connect abstract to concrete really enhances the accessibility of the information. The vocabulary in Earth is Big does not and cannot shy away from being technical but new language is explained in a friendly style. I particularly liked the Earth is Round page which gave a clear explanation of what it means to be spherical and then provided examples of known and less known objects which are ‘spherical’, ‘almost spherical’ and ‘lumpy and bumpy’!

As a conclusion to the study of Earth, Steve Tomacek adds a poignant message to the reader to remind them that, despite being big, Earth is fragile and in need of our protection.

I think Earth Is Big would appeal to children and adults alike; I loved dipping in and out of it and felt enlightened by what I had discovered. Those children who are fascinated by Earth Science and those who come to the concept with fresh eyes will be informed and entertained. A must for classrooms and school libraries.