Drip, Drip, Drop: Earth's Water

This wide-format book from the Drip, Drip, Drop: Earth’s Water series focuses on groundwater. Presenting topics such as the movement of water underground, geysers, and pollution, each two-page spread follows the same basic layout, with several large-print sentences, one or two small text boxes, fullpage art, and one or more smaller images. The colorful illustrations, primarily photos from varied sources, are pretty good. The most valuable images offer cutaway views showing water trickling down through layers of earth, moving underground, and collecting in aquifers. While the amount of information on each topic is limited, it is clearly presented. The “Make Your Own Aquifer” page offers a simple hands-on activity. The book’s unusual focus on a single aspect of the water cycle makes this a useful resource for the classroom.

As Lawrence explores various aspects of water, she engages readers in the process. Although the illustrations are merely adequate, relevant questions interspersed throughout the volumes encourage readers to think before they turn the page for the answer. The “Science Lab” activity at the end of each book goes beyond listing instructions by including questions to foster prediction and observation. VERDICT Beneath Your Feet’s exploration of groundwater and Say Hello’s clear explanations of water’s properties rank as top choices, but the entire series merits first-purchase consideration.