Reviewed by Janie Stokes
Gifted Science Teacher
Ice and People is one of eight books in the Science of Weather series. The focus of this book is on how people cope with, use, and control ice, which can influence clothing, housing, and travel. The series provides appropriate informational reading for children ages 8-12.
Appealing and colorful photographs lead the reader on a multicultural trip around the world to investigate how people adapt and deal with ice. The reader will learn about how plants and animals survive in cold climates, how cold affects health, how the body works to keep us warm, and even how people have fun in icy climates. The format of each book in the series is simple and well designed. The text is easy to read, and although the reading level is at the upper end of the publisher’s target group, the graphics and layout support weaker readers as well. For example, important concepts are printed in bold to assist students using the context clues.
Scattered throughout the book are very simple experiments that a student could try independently. There are diagrams, maps and charts, plus an index and a glossary all designed to make learning about icy weather easy. Ice and People is a fine resource for a study of weather or adaptations of living things. Teachers could also use it as a supplement for a thematic unit on climate or communities.
Review posted on 7/16/2002
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