NNFN2024: At the Top of the World: The Greatest Mountains on Earth

‘The Greatest Mountains on Earth’ is an absorbing read, perfect for inspiring interest in some of the most fascinating places in the world. Mountains hold a deep fascination for many people- and this book combines information on eight iconic peaks with their legends and folklore and those who have climbed them.

The book starts by explaining what mountains are, the different forms they take and introducing some of the technical terms associated with them. For teachers who are exploring this area of the curriculum with a class, this is a valuable resource, with its succinct explanations and appealing illustrations. There is also much here to draw on if looking at explorers, offering an overview of the development of mountaineering and the equipment needed.

Attention is then focused on eight different mountains from around the world with attention being paid to the people who inhabit them or their locality and the religious or cultural significance these places hold for them. Details about each mountain and ‘the climb’ of each are also given, making it a fascinating read- and perhaps inspiring the next generation of mountaineers!

At the Top of the World: The Greatest Mountains on Earth (and how to climb them)

Robin Jacobs, illustrated by Ed J Brown

Cicada Books ISBN: 978-1800660472

Blog Tour: Open Wide!

Today, it’s my turn to dive into the ‘jaw-dropping mouths of the animal world’ on the ‘Open Wide!’ Blog Tour.

Let’s start by asking a few questions. Do you know which creature has fangs that fold flat to stop it accidentally biting itself? No? What about which creature can extend its tongue one-and-a-half times its body length? Me neither! If you don’t know, then this is the book you need!

From its tasty introduction onwards, ‘Open Wide!’ is bursting with those quirky and fascinating facts which children love to discover and share! Starting with human teeth (Science NC Y4: identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions), the book moves to the commonalities of mammalian mouths before moving on to the eating habits of slugs and snails. I now know what a ‘radula’ is!

The contents page is full of tempting titles like ‘Tremendous Tusks’ and Gigantic Grins’, making the book perfect for dipping in and out of: however, it is very easy to be led from page to page as there are intriguing questions posed at the bottom of some which you just have to turn over to find the answer to! I wanted to know if I was right about how the Barbary macaques were feeling -I wasn’t!- but I was more successful with guessing which coloured tongue belonged to which animal.

Whilst the book is mainly illustrated by Ed J Brown, some photographs are also included, allowing children to see the sucker of a goby and krill up close amongst other things. One of the most popular features of the text will no doubt be the ‘Not for the Squeamish’ fact boxes which regularly appear containing those disgusting facts which children love to quote- usually in the middle of a lesson!

Having both an index and glossary, ‘Open Wide!’ will be a useful resource for teachers keen to enrich the science curriculum with fascinating facts about teeth, diet, food chains, habitats etc, perhaps using the quiz sheet available on the ‘What on Earth’ website along with some other resources for this title.

A really absorbing read!

Open Wide!

Dr Letizia Diamante and Ed J Brown

What on Earth ISBN: 978-1804661352