The Earth from A to Z

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Bobbie Kalman and Crabtree Publishing have produced a large number of
nonfiction children’s books. Most follow the same format of basic text
combined with a large number of stock photographs and a few drawings.
Kalman is now beginning to repackage some of the information published
in earlier books.

This volume uses the alphabet as a structure for presenting information
about the Earth. For example, under “B” we find “biome,” while
under “R” we find “rainforest.” Much of the basic information
and the drawings were previously published in What Is a Biome? Some of
the photographs in this book have also been appeared in Kalman’s other
publications.

As a single volume, the book serves its purpose of introducing
elementary-school readers to some of the most interesting aspects of
natural history of the Earth. As is standard in Crabtree publications,
the photographs are high quality, the text is readable, and a glossary
and index are provided. Libraries holding collections of Kalman’s
other books will want to avoid excessive duplication of material.
Recommended with reservations.