A Must-Have Book for Lava Loving Kids: What’s So Hot About Volcanoes?
Having enjoyed Wendell A. Duffield’s Chasing Lava immensely, I was beyond delighted to discover that Wendell had written a book for younger people. I couldn’t order it fast enough.
What’s So Hot About Volcanoes is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a book about volcanoes for older kids and tweens, or even adults who want an authoritative but not too technical introduction to how volcanoes work. Younger readers should be able to handle it, too, with assistance from older kids and adults. And it’s got a hook absolutely no one can resist: what happened to Wendell when he was standing on a fresh Kilauea lava field and the seismologist at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory told him the pattern of seismicity right underneath him suggested he should probably run away immediately!
Lushly illustrated with dozens of full-color photos, many taken by Wendell or his colleagues (in sometimes perilous conditions!), this book is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind. The aerial views in particular are marvelous, and really help you visualize what various types of volcanoes were doing when they erupted and how they formed. Unfortunately, the diagrams showing various processes are somewhat rudimentary and at times unclear, so you’ll probably need to supplement those with diagrams from the USGS and other sites.
For as short as this book is, it’s remarkably thorough in its coverage. Wendell explains why volcanoes happen, where they happen, explores the types of volcanoes (including some which lots of people don’t know count as volcanoes), describes magma/lava interactions with water, and delves into eruption forecasting. He concludes by asking a provocative question: are volcanoes friends or enemies? Then he directs us to places in the US where (geologically) young volcanoes can be found, so you can see for yourself what you’ve been reading about.
All of these sections are informative and engaging. The science is simplified, but not to the sad extent that many authors do it. Confusing terms are kept to a minimum. Wendell definitely knows how to explain his stuff to young folks and lay folks without losing the essence of the science involved.
This is another book that’s made it onto my must-have list for kids who are interested in science. It’s right up there with Will It Blow? It’s also definitely on my list of best books to give that adult friend or relative who is interested in learning more about volcanoes, but doesn’t have the time or interest for bigger, more technical books.
If you’re looking for a good fit for the whole family, this is exactly the book you need.
Rosetta Stones and Dana Hunter’s Unconformity wouldn’t be possible without you! If you like my content, there are many ways to show your support.
This website is a member of the Amazon Affiliates program. I get a small commission when you use my affiliate link to make a purchase.
Thank you so much for your support!
