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What is sand? How is it formed? Where does sand come from? How does it get to the beach? Why is it different colors? Let the sandpiper sleuth show you the answers to these questions in this lively, collage-style look at a familiar substance that's never been so fascinating: sand.
Parents' Choice Approved Winner
"A striking success…an outstanding choice…a fascinating, lively presentation." —School Library Journal
National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
Parents' Choice Approved Winner
"A striking success…an outstanding choice…a fascinating, lively presentation." —School Library Journal
National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 27, 2013
Prager introduces kids to sand. Explains how and why sand comes in so many varieties of color and content, how sand is formed and transported. Spectacular pictures of enlarged sand granules are provided to give examples for each point, and colorful illustrations are placed around these or to illustrate other concepts.
This is a wonderful non-fiction picture book. It exhibits everything a good non-fiction book for kids should be: well-illustrated, engagingly-written, and scientifically rich. The science is dead on. You won't get much more info about sand in a college-level geology course, yet at the same time the book makes this info interesting and attainable for the target audience. There is also a cheap and easy experiment at the end of the book kids can do to make their own sand.
A superb choice for a non-fiction addition to a library or science class addition. High school geology teachers could even use this because of the richness of details.
This is a wonderful non-fiction picture book. It exhibits everything a good non-fiction book for kids should be: well-illustrated, engagingly-written, and scientifically rich. The science is dead on. You won't get much more info about sand in a college-level geology course, yet at the same time the book makes this info interesting and attainable for the target audience. There is also a cheap and easy experiment at the end of the book kids can do to make their own sand.
A superb choice for a non-fiction addition to a library or science class addition. High school geology teachers could even use this because of the richness of details.
June 22, 2016
This book offers a fascinating and scientific look at sand, the definition of what size of a grain makes sand, where it comes from, and the different consistencies of it.
The narrative is short, with a large font, so it does not overwhelm the reader with details. And the illustrations are wonderful, "a digital collage of pastels on sandpaper, watercolor so, and photographs".
We have seen many different beaches around the world; white sand, tan sand, green sand, black sand, and even beaches consisting of the tiniest pieces of glass and shells. It's very interesting to see how each is created and how the environment shapes the grains.
Overall, it's an entertaining book that is a fast read and is educational without being boring.
The narrative is short, with a large font, so it does not overwhelm the reader with details. And the illustrations are wonderful, "a digital collage of pastels on sandpaper, watercolor so, and photographs".
We have seen many different beaches around the world; white sand, tan sand, green sand, black sand, and even beaches consisting of the tiniest pieces of glass and shells. It's very interesting to see how each is created and how the environment shapes the grains.
Overall, it's an entertaining book that is a fast read and is educational without being boring.
June 26, 2008
This was an awesome book. (I feel like I should say dude now.) It had simple, clear text It had great illustrations but even better photos. We loved the 'magnifying glass' which showed things up close.
I am excited to check out the other books in this series.
While we used this as a 'science' book, it was so fun I wouldn't hesitate to read it for fun during picture book time. Even the little guys loved it.
I am excited to check out the other books in this series.
While we used this as a 'science' book, it was so fun I wouldn't hesitate to read it for fun during picture book time. Even the little guys loved it.
September 18, 2022
A great book for children who want to know more about the world around them. Children are fascinated by this book.
Bravo Ellen J. Prayer!
Bravo Ellen J. Prayer!
May 26, 2025
A fantastic book to learn about sand, the grains, the colors, where they come from and even how to “make” sand. A great book for elementary learners.
October 23, 2015
This is another one of those fact books that just was so INTERESTING. It's all about sand and how they make it. Sand is just really really little pieces of broken up rocks and shells. I guess that's why they have it at the beach and not in Vermont. There's no shells in Vermont.
Except you know what? I just thought of something. In the winter when you come inside, you get sand on your shoes from walking around outside. It gets all over the floor. That's why we just wear socks or indoor shoes inside in winter. Where does THAT sand come from?
And at the end of the book guess what? They tell you how to MAKE sand! We didn't try that yet but I bet we will. I mean, I AM in homeschool.
So this was a really good one and so interesting!
Except you know what? I just thought of something. In the winter when you come inside, you get sand on your shoes from walking around outside. It gets all over the floor. That's why we just wear socks or indoor shoes inside in winter. Where does THAT sand come from?
And at the end of the book guess what? They tell you how to MAKE sand! We didn't try that yet but I bet we will. I mean, I AM in homeschool.
So this was a really good one and so interesting!
October 22, 2012
Grade: 5
Content: Earth Science/ Sand
If your child or student loves to go to the beach and enjoys playing in the sand, this is the right book for them! It's interesting and educational. It talks about how sand is made, where it comes from, and where it goes. There are real life pictures to help the audience see the different types of sand. There's even a couple poems about sand at the end!
Content: Earth Science/ Sand
If your child or student loves to go to the beach and enjoys playing in the sand, this is the right book for them! It's interesting and educational. It talks about how sand is made, where it comes from, and where it goes. There are real life pictures to help the audience see the different types of sand. There's even a couple poems about sand at the end!
February 25, 2013
Grade level: 3rd/4th
Content area: Earth Science - Sand
Content area: Earth Science - Sand
May 21, 2015
a nice nonfiction companion to a sand storytime. Simple but a little long about the making and different types of sand.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews