Member Reviews

I really enjoy the book it was well written and has brilliant photographs and images.

It easy to follow and really informative and I think that it covered everything that you would want to know when you are first learning about volcanoes, their strength, power and the devastation they can cause

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!!

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Volcanoes are a subject we often falsely believe to be simple. A crack in the earth that spews out lava and ash, right? Even a simple book like this will prove just how inaccurate that belief actually is. Here we learn about different volcano forms and classifications; the most active volcanoes; the reasons they form and the warning signs that they may erupt. The information is presented with enough detail to inform but not so much that we get bogged down in dry science. The text is accessible, vocabulary terms well explained. There's even a section on folklore and people's relationships with volcanoes. All of the information is well supported by photos and charts.

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Volcano, Where Fire and Water Meet by Mary M. Cerullo is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on August 1 2021. Lava shoots in the air, then bubbles down mountains, flattening, burning, and boiling everything in its path. The destructive forces of volcanoes are terrifying and well-known. But what about their other forces? Volcanoes can spur new growth of plants and trees. In the water, they create an environment where coral reefs and sea life can thrive. In fact, the meeting of volcanic fire and ocean water gave way to life on Earth.Stitching science, history, and mythology together, Cerullo explores these explosive wonders of nature and reveals the secrets they’ve been keeping since the beginning of the world.

Volcano, Where Fire and Water Meet is exactly what I expect from nonfiction published by Scholastic. The content is well written and researched It is informative and accessible to a range if readers without feeling too easy or too complicated at any point. The chosen images where a perfect pairing to the text- offering visual interest and detail in the subject matter. Frankly, I went back to look at the images for a second time after I finished my first read, since I found them to be simply fascinating. I really like that there was a glossary, source notes, and bibliography included i the endpages. This always make me happy- not only because it gives readers a chance to further explore the topic, but because it helps them see that these this are necessary when writing books or papers.

I think this would be a perfect book for readers interested in the subject. It is also a book that would be a valuable resource in classrooms and libraries to aid in lessons on the subject, and to get students engaged and excited about the subject.

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Wow the pictures in this book is stunning and me and my 9 year old loved reading every minute for it. Excellent facts and the language used to teach us about volcanology. My daughter couldn't wait to read it the next day thats why I loved this book great for homeschooling. Praise the the author for such an amazing book

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This was an informative book that didn't dumb down the content for kids. The illustrations were attractive. I would recommend this to public library collections.

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Introduction to Volcanology in Hawai'i presented by Smithsonian (so you know it's got lots of truly impressive photography!). There is a quick run through of other types of volcanoes before settling in to teach about this type of lava producing eruption. Reading level might be a bit beyond ESL, but as always, the photography is beyond impressive! Lots to learn in a great way. Got one on pre-order.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book from Capstone via NetGalley. THANK YOU!

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Smithsonian’s Volcano: Where Fire and Water Meet is a fabulous resource book for elementary kids. The full color photos and graphics are beautiful and expertly done. The text is informative and interesting. This would be a great science addition to any children’s library.

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This is a beautiful, and informative book. My son is obsessed with volcanoes and fires. We currently live on Oahu and we have studied many aspects of volcanoes. This beautiful book is an excellent addition to any homeschool or public school classroom to intrigue children when introducing them to a volcano study. I think it would also be a great addition to the classroom library, or just to let a child explore. I highly recommend this excellent book!

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Filled with excellent information and fascinating photographs, this book is a great addition to any children's library. It's as up-to-date as possible and fun to read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

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WOW! So interesting! Volcanoes are not my strong point, to the point of ignorance, even though I live in a country peppered with some infamous mountains.

Taking Hawaii as an example, the author shows how people are curious about volcano life, awed by it sulfurous yet seething fire within, but not really knowing what happen when it erupted. There, the people and government are quite informed about this outburst, that when the lava started to make its way down, the habitants move away as soon as possible.

Then she explained in easy words on how the volcano works and what does the people studying it do.

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A detailed book all about volcanoes but with a focus on the Hawaiian islands. The images included in the book are amazing and illustrate clearly the written information. A good use of analogies to help children understand more complex ideas and key vocabulary is generally well explained. The information is set out interestingly throughout the book: no two pages look the same.

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To be honest I’m not sure if this should be catalogued as a children’s book. In my personal opinion this is perfect for a high schooler or even as fast notes for a science undergrad. I really enjoyed it and I was able to brush up my knowledge.

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I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Smithsonian blends history, mythology and science in this fine book on volcanoes. Beautifully photographed and well illustrated , this book is a recent documentation of volcanic activity, rebirth of flora on Hawaii after 2018 eruptions. With information on the Ring of Fire and world wide volcanoes this will be an asset to home schooling and public libraries.

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This book is excellent and educational, well laid out and very lovely to both read and look at. I’d highly recommend for all young children interested in geography.

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I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Volcano: Where Fire and Water Meet is a very detailed book for children educating them on all aspects of a volcano. This book explains the science behind a volcano, the different types and different types of Lava, the geographical effects of a volcano and the ecological systems too.
There are some amazing photos which children will study in awe!
This book is a great resource for any child who loves science or volcanoes and will sure to be a hit with most children.
I'd aim this book at children aged 8-12 years.

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This book is such a great late elementary explainer on volcanoes! The text is complex enough to be challenging while still readable by all. The accompanying images add so much to the text and information. Highly recommend for collections that need a volcano update.

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** I received an arc (advanced reader copy) for free in exchange for my own, honest opinion **

First of all, I want to say that this book is markers for children in grade 3-5, or age 8-11. I am 24 years old, and English is my second language which I began to learn at age 10. I also do not work with children, or have experience in working with children.

With that out of the way, I chose to pick this book up because I love volcanoes and I love to read anything and everything I come across about volcanoes. This book spoke to me because it would be an easy read, with a lot of pictures. And that it did fulfill. The pictures was absolutely beautiful, and I can imagine how amazing they would look in a printed book.

Some parts of this book seemed a bit advanced for the marketed age group. It spoke a bit about different chemical compounds, such as carbon dioxide, methane gas and sulfuric acid. I have no problem understanding this, but I think not all children would. And such details may be more suited to a bit older audience.

Other parts of the book clearly showed that it was marketed towards younger children. One example is where they compared the earths different layers with the layers of an egg. Another is when they said that cows burp methane gas.

Apart from volcanoes, this book also contained a bit about Hawaiian culture and marine life. And talked about how these things are affected by the volcanoes. It was nice to see the connection to every day life in this book.

I think this book is amazing, and beautiful. Maybe it should be marketed towards a bit older audience, but I’m also not an expert. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to everyone who likes volcanoes even if they’re older.

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Visually this book is striking. It has some amazing photographs of volcanos and nature, along with some easy to understand illustrations.

I was impressed at how much detail this goes into. It explains the science behind volcano, but it then goes beyond just volcanos themselves. It explains about the affect on the local ecological systems. There are notes about what occurs in the aftermath. Beyond the science, it also explains some of cultural significance of volcanos too.

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I have already put this on my wishlist to have in my classroom. I love the pictures and how easy it is to read. The progression of facts makes sense and would be excellent for elementary school students. I especially think this would be great for anyone teaching fourth grade science.

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Absolutely magnificent photos and illustrations, highly recommend this book. It clearly explains the Hawaiian volcanic islands and activity as well as incorporating cultural information and history. Very interesting read that will keep kids engaged and answers many questions about volcanic activity in Hawaii. It also includes information about the effects of volcanoes on oceans and ecosystems.

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