Planet Earth

Gr 2–4—Fifty different concepts are introduced in each volume, followed by "Top Ten" lists related to each topic; each entry is one to two spreads long. In Earth, the lists include measurable facts: popular tourist destinations, busiest subways, longest rivers, highest waterfalls, most populated cities, and deepest caves. There are compilations based on less scientific criteria: weirdest hotels, amazing ocean occurrences, happiest countries, and beautiful beaches. In Space the lists include things left on the moon, brightest stars, famous meteorites, and lunar features. Other lists cover weirdest sky phenomena, greatest spacecraft, and surprising space inventions. Both selections can be perused and do not have to be read front to back; however, there is too much information to be read all at one time. Small photographs from Shutterstock, Wikimedia, and NASA are inserted for support and break up the texts. Additional facts are also found scattered among the pages. These titles could be used as stepping stones to build curiosity and generate future research.