Geology's basics are explored in a lively fashion and are accompanied by a combination of familiar and not-so-familiar experiments and activities. Each chapter introduces a concept such as "the first rock group-Igneous `Iggy,' Sedimentary `Sed,' and Metamorphic `Morph'!" Ways to find and places to observe these types of rock are suggested.
Activities such as creating a sand sculpture or playing "Rock Tic-Tac-Toe" are included. Sidebars give more information about geologists, language links ("blow your top" or "petrified"), famous formations, scientific controversies, and how to think like a scientist. The text is witty but conveys much factual material. The experiments can be done easily with household items and include safety precautions.
Whether making the standard chemical volcano, catching falling stars, or creating a mini glacier, readers will find much of interest here. The book is illustrated with red-and-purple tinted cartoons and photographs. The experiments are similar to those found in Alan Anderson's Geology Crafts for Kids (Lark, 1996), but Blobaum's offering is presented in a much more informal format. —Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH