(1) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Bang. Bang and Chisholm bring their energy-centered perspective on Earth systems to the water cycle. The sun serves as narrator, showing how its energy interacts with water and supports life. The science is superb, and Bang's illustrations are thoughtfully conceived representations of chemistry and physics. The sun emphasizes the need for conservation and management of water resources. The book closes with extensive, strongly scientific notes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2017

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Bang. Bang and Chisholm explain the production and consumption of fossil fuels, along with the consequences of all that energy use: climate change. The sun serves as narrator describing the relationship between photosynthesis (plants) and respiration (animals) and energy; a slight imbalance produces fossil fuels. Bang's illustrations brilliantly represent the chemistry: bright yellow dots of energy against a deep-blue background hover over their producers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(2) K-3 This fresh perspective on food chains focuses on the critical and voluminous ocean-based plant life--plankton--and the transfer of energy and nutrients from the sun to these microscopic plants to ocean animals and back. Glowing illustrations, age-appropriate explanations, well-chosen text and visual analogies, and a series of rhetorical questions are used to excellent effect. Six pages of notes are appended.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Molly Bang. This account of photosynthesis is narrated by the sun. Shining on every page, it celebrates its power with bursts of bright yellow connecting with the greens of Earth. Circular paintings emphasize the continuity of nature, while the spare, poetic narrative describes the process of converting energy and carbon dioxide into sugar. Back matter gives further information about the scientific process of photosynthesis.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009