There is a lot of good information in this book. The text is accessible, not relying on too complex of a vocabulary. But it can be a bit dry and clinical. Not especially engaging for a reluctant reader.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


I enjoyed the tone of this book. It was conversational, which I felt was appropriate for the intended audience. It reads sort of like an Earth science class with a mildy entertaining teacher. Any young reader curious about Earth will find it helpful and easy to understand. Any middle schooler will see a helpful explanation about things if they didn't quite understand their teachers or textbooks. I would give this as a gift to young adventures and young scientists at heart.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was published April 9, 2019.

Hey There, Earth Dweller is a science and nature book that aims to describe the included subjects in a simple way that elementary age kids should be able to understand and presents it in a way that the child would find interesting and enjoyable.
I read at least half of it out loud to my 3 and 5-year-olds (that’s why it took me 6 months!) and they really enjoyed the volcano and extreme weather sections the most. The 3-year-old fell asleep several times on other sections.
I really like the cute illustrations that accompany the text, however the pictures often don’t line up with the text correctly. (For example, the book will tell you about the moon and then you’ll see a picture of the moon on the next page when it’s already talking about the sun.)

Also, sometimes the explanations were too simple or too brief and therefor I didn’t gain anything by reading about those topics. (The one that stands out the most is the “Race for the Map” section where Horst talks about the different countries and cultures who explored the world and added to our knowledge of the world.)

Overall, I would describe this as an interesting introduction or supplementary reading for earth sciences. I will keep it around for my kids to look at as they get older.

Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth by Marc ter Horst is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on April 9 2019. This is a journey into everything young readers would want to know about the planet we call home, and the universe around us. Readers are invited to learn about what makes up the many layers of the Earth—from the core to exosphere—traveling all the way out into the solar system and our many neighboring planets and moons. The content is offered in a vibrant mixed medium design that combines original illustrations with photographs of everyday items, allowing readers to engage and grasp scientific concepts covered, while encouraging them to inquisitively uncover the answers to all of their planetary questions.

Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth is a well balanced non fiction book for young readers. The information is laid out in an easy to understand way, without talking down to the readers, but with humor and fun illustrations to keep the attention of readers that might otherwise lose interest. The book does not go into great depth in any subject, but gives a good foundation on a large variety of subjects. I think this book might peak the interest and curiosity of readers and inspire them to research further on a topic that interested then more than others, or help them discover what topics they have the most interest in for further reading. I enjoyed the read, and some of the humor made me smile. While there were no new facts for me, some of the mnemonics and hints for remembering were- which might come in handy when trying to help my own kiddos with their homework and projects.

Hey There, Earth Dweller!: Dive Into This World We Call Earth is an engaging and informative read. I found it well balanced and interesting.

Splendid, both in content and illustrations

Going into the first chapter, the author asks us such curious questions that I would not have imagined, sowing interest in our minds, encouraging the innate curiosity in our children. We begin with an overview of the formation of the solar system, providing us comparative data of the Earth with the other planets that astound us. Then the author takes us by the hand to playfully explore the features of our planet that sustain life and all cultures have adapted their lifestyle to them.

The whole book is narrated in a provocative way that feeds the imagination, questioning what we take for granted but that gives shape to our changing reality (gravity, our atmosphere, the origin of life, the tides, the tectonic movement, our anthropological origin, the climate change). The tour of our planet is explained concisely with comparative numbers to understand the macro with metaphoric examples, for example if the water of the planet filled a bathtub only 4 liters would be fresh water and the rest salty water. All information is very friendly and playful for children without falling into complexity, illustrated in a very creative and original way to create interest and smiles in our children.

I loved the book from beginning to end, as an educator and as a father I totally recommend it, the author manages to connect with his inner child to transmit scientific knowledge, it is a must have science book and can be one of the favorites for educators. I will definitely be a follower of Marc ter Horst's publications. I also congratulate the illustrator Wendy Panders and the translator Laura Watkinson, whose participation has been essential for this excellent result, who adapted their work to the author's style very well.

My sincere appreciation to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

An engaging introduction into the history of our world and its hidden wonders and how humans came to inhabit planet Earth.

This is a fun, educational journey into everything a kid would want to know. Kids will learn about topics, , for example: what makes up the layers of the Earth to travel all the way out into the solar system a

Presentation of the book combines original illustrations with photographs of everyday items while encouraging them to inquisitively uncover the answers to all of their planetary questions.

The book is a universe on its all one can get lost in while engaging the kids!

Mac ter Horst’s Hey There, Earth Dweller! was an interesting read. I enjoyed all the science packed into the book along with the wonderful illustrations by Wendy Panders. It was a good primer for a lot of different topics that make for fun conversations between kids and other kids and kids and adults. Also it was a great refresher for this adult. I will say, while I appreciated some of the bluntness of what could happen to future earth, whether thru human impact or just nature taking its course, it may be a little too much for some more sensitive readers. Overall, I feel this would make a great read for any young mind that enjoys learning more about this wonderful place we live.

What a fun book! I would say the science concepts the book discusses are most appropriate for children around 9 years old and up. The book is written and presented in a fun, easy to read way that focuses on the big picture interspersed with trivia facts. I can see a child, every few minutes, yelling - "MOM! Did you know....!" and reciting one of the many compelling factoids they're learning. There is a lot of education packed into here, but condensed and more of a fun overview of many topics ranging from the the solar system, the origin of the Earth, weather, Earth inhabitants, innovation, natural disasters, evolution, and the eventual demise of the Earth. The illustrations and graphics are very helpful and complete the book.

This is a book to buy a physical copy of. The e-book (Kindle format, ARC) was decent and worked better than most kid's books with illustration, but I would enjoy actually seeing it all well-formatted more. Plus, it's probably one that you'll be keeping and passing around between friends and family over the years!

My toddler obviously doesn't understand the concepts, but she did enjoy some of the photos. A good investment for a book the family will enjoy!

Awesome little fact book for kids! It's science in a fun way- creation of planet onward. It really wouldn't be too useful for a science project per se, but just a casual read it here or there to satisfy curiosity. it's well written and chummy rather that a you must learn this info! kind of book. Lots of interesting trivia, too. I think kids might enjoy reading it, especially those interested in the science. I am thinking grades 4th to 7th will like this book.

2.5.

I like the concept and I do think kids who love learning about the planet (I can think of a few I’ve taught!) will enjoy flipping through this book at home. Besides that, I’m not exactly sure how it could be used .. in a non-fiction book bin for kids to flip through during independent reading time? I’m not exactly sure this totally nails it image-wise or with its contents organizationally. But it’s fun and informative and for the right kid, I could see it being something they pored over?

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.