"Then, gases gurgle. Steam spits out.
I sputter,
spurt
and growl.
Warning! When a volcano starts
spewing out gases or ash, it's a
signal that it could erupt soon."
Those interested in knowing how a volcano works will find the information they need in this new picture book that illustrates exactly what happens. In clear language, from two perspectives, readers learn that a volcano can be dormant for many years. It seems to be sleeping. That sleep may last thousands of years.
Then, it begins to heat up from the inside and shows signs of awakening. Hot gases push magma toward the volcano's opening. Often, the movement of tectonic plates result in an earthquake that causes that magma to heat up and begin to grow. Soon, the magma must find release. The volcano erupts, causing widespread destruction and fear.
"Eruption! Lava! Hot rocks! Billows of
ash! The powerful blast erupts out of
the volcano's vents, shooting outward
and demolishing everything nearby."
This excellent explanation of a volcano's eruption is told in two voices. The first is the volcano itself, explaining what is happening inside as time passes and it awakens. The other is a small red bird, who cleverly adds the text needed to show young readers just exactly how volcanoes are throughout the world.
Zoe Si's artwork is created using ink and watercolor before being finished digitally, and does an excellent job of adding context to the story. Perspectives change and assure that the target audience has a clear understanding of the eruption. Readers will enjoy, as I did, that the bird's audience members are interested animals who clearly want to know what is going on.
The story moves from dormancy to eruption and back to a dormant state. The last illustrated spread shows the new land that has formed in its wake. Final pages describe the phases of a volcano, its anatomy, common types of volcanoes, and an author's list of selected sources.
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