Kitchen Paleontologist

Reviews

Alexander’s Library
“Finally! A book about paleontology that begins with a geological time scale stretching from Earth’s beginning (about 4.6 billion years ago) to the present. Not only does the timeline map out eras, periods, and epochs, it also places the last five mass extinctions into context. Fortunately, the introductory chapter defines what an extinction is, detailing contemporary extinctions of species. Subsequent chapters examine causes of extinction, asteroid strikes, human evolution, and other examples of survival and adaptation. The author raises the possibility that we may currently be experiencing the sixth mass extinction, pushed by human impact on the environment.

This book is filled with hands-on activities, from making a fossil to examining how oceans are acidified (and the impact on shells). There’s even a list of items to take on a (water) bear hunt. Additional features include text boxes that highlight fin facts; sidebars that provide definitions; and a series of species spotlights. What I really like: the last chapter lists concrete steps we can take to reduce human impact on our planet and slow the rate of species extinction.”

Baristanet
“When it comes to keeping kids’ interest in a subject alive, combining hands-on activities with knowledge is key. That’s why the Build It Yourself books from Nomad Press are such great resources, not just for classrooms, but also for at-home application of new learning.” Read the complete review online.

National Science Teachers Association Recommends
“This book uses the concept of extinction to teach a little chemistry, a little climatology, paleontology, biology (biodiversity), ecology, and a lot of geology. The science information is historical and current, drawing on three–dimensional learning, incorporating science practices to determine what factors affect extinction in general and specifically. The integration of concepts help bring the science alive and relevant.” Read the complete review online.