Geology and earth science made easy (to learn) and super quick (to read about). You, too, can make a mountain—just grab this nonfiction picture book and start today! DO IT YOURSELF! START TODAY! From shaping peaks and crafting a glacier to nurturing your own plants and animals, these nine simple steps cover everything you need to know to make your very own mountain. In this book, you'll learn how to • Crush a piece of continent into a mountain range; • Freeze and melt glaciers; • Carve ravines, valleys, rivers, and mountain lakes; • Foster plants and develop a fertile layer of soil; and • Fill your mountain with a wide variety of animals that will work together to keep your mountain ecosystems healthy YES—YOU, TOO, CAN MAKE A MOUNTAIN! It is a big job, but it's also a thrilling adventure! Pack your snacks, load up your gear, and get ready for the challenge of a lifetime! *Tectonic plates, tools, and wildlife not included. Some restrictions apply. The authors assume no responsibility for frostbite, landslides, or accidental volcanoes. SCIENCE WITH A PLAYFUL, DIY TWIST: This fun and funny nonfiction picture book humorously encourages readers to get busy making their own mountain ranges. By the end, they will have learned the many steps that ultimately turn a rock into a peak, a slope into a gorge, snow into a glacier, and much more! GREAT FOR BUDDING ENVIRONTMENTALISTS: Once readers have "built" their mountains, their jobs aren't over—because the environment needs caretakers and stewards, of course! With rich back matter and lush illustrations accompanying an engaging text, this picture book is perfect for instilling a love of the natural world in budding scientists, environmental activists, and nature enthusiasts. STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Earth science is a staple classroom subject in all elementary school grades. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators. Perfect for: • Teachers and librarians • Parents, grandparents, and caregivers • Anyone who loves or collects rocks • Lovers of fun, unique approaches to nonfiction and STEM topics • Gift-givers looking for a one-of-a-kind gift that's both funny and educational Gr 2-4-In this illustrated information book about mountain formation, readers join a girl and her raccoon friend as they work, like young earth scientists, through nine steps that will guarantee the creation of a mountain that supports plant and animal life. While the passage of millions of years is cited in these key steps, readers with a solid introductory grasp of earth science concepts, the water cycle, and basic geological features will build a deeper understanding of the effects that climate patterns, water, and time have on this grand phenomenon in nature. At times, the second-person viewpoint reads like a cheerful how-to guide about adding the necessary features and processes that form a mountain, while a crisp, descriptive tone connects the scientific information. Short phrases, metaphors, and exclamations color the illustrated demonstrations of geological concepts and changes, emphasizing an engaging mix of large, shaded swatches of watercolorlike blends and finer details from colored pencil lines and textures. This is for careful readers. The "steps," which are labeled with large print letters, are designed to be read in strict sequential order; the text is sprinkled liberally with geological terms, though not all are defined; the small, thin font becomes lost at times in expansive illustrations. Other relevant geologic terms are introduced in the back matter, as is a reflective afterword. VERDICT Highly recommended for the curious upper elementary reader interested in earth science or paired with a geology unit that explores mountain formation and geological terms.-Rachel Mulliganα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “A useful, engaging, and clearly delineated distillation of a complex geological process.”- Kirkus Reviews “Readers with a solid introductory grasp of earth science concepts, the water cycle, and basic geological features will build a deeper understanding of the effects that climate patterns, water, and time have on this grand phenomenon in nature. Highly recommended for the curious upper elementary reader interested in earth science or paired with a geology unit that explores mountain formation and geological terms.”?- School Library Journal “Using a friendly but informative second-person voice, the humorous narrator treats readers as full participants in the geologic process, complete with explanations as needed. . . . Lemon's sketch-like illustrations match the engaging tone. . . . [ How to Make a Mountain is] earth science charmingly disguised as a how-to manual.”- Booklist “Under the breezy tutelage and encouragement of an unseen narrator, a young girl creates a