Danger! Volcanoes by Seymour Simon

Simon, Seymour. 2003. Danger! Volcanoes. New York: Sea Star Books. ISBN 1587171813

Beginning with a definition of a volcano along with definitions of lava, magma, and more, Simon also covers the different types of volcanoes found in the world: dome volcanoes, composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes, etc. Simon discusses both the fiery, destructive power and the creative power of a volcano (Did you know that most of the Earth's surface comes from volcanic eruptions?). The text is directly and simply written, and the pictures are evocative and stunning. My children had me read the book to them once, but then they thumbed through the book over and over, just looking at the amazing photographs of volcanic eruptions, lava flows, and ash clouds. This is a straightforward science text with fascinating pictures that will be sure to please younger children who are interested in the world around them.

AWARDS & REVIEWS:

"Volcanoes begins with two full-page spreads of volcanoes erupting, first with a sky of smoke and then with a sky of fire. There can be no doubt in youngsters' minds that they are reading about something powerful, and Simon describes the damage as well as the positive aspects of these explosions. The photographs are so compelling that it is a shame that they are not identified (although the sources are given). How a volcano changes the weather and how lava comes through that hole in the ground are left unanswered, but this introductory book is meant to whet the appetite, and that it does." --School Library Journal

"Basic information about volcanoes' inner core, shield, dome, and the different types of volcanoes and the serious danger that composites pose are all clearly presented." --Children's Literature

CONNECTIONS:

Other introductory volcano informational texts include Volcanoes by Franklyn Mansfield Branley, Time for Kids: Volcanoes from the TimeKids series, and Volcanoes by Nancy Harris and Lynn Armstrong.

This would be a great companion book to read with the time-honored tradition of building your own volcano using vinegar and baking soda!

For older readers, this piece could be used to briefly introduce the science behind Don Wood's graphic novel Into the Volcano.