How We Learned the Earth Is Round (A Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Book) by Patricia Lauber

by Patricia Lauber

The Greeks deduced it, Columbus and Magellan proved it--the earth is not flat. Young readers can follow the development of a scientific concept that began centuries ago with the help of hands-on activities that enable them to re-create the Greeks' studies. A 1990 Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Full-color illus. and maps.

Genres: Science, History, Childrens, Geography, Nonfiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Patricia Lauber is the author of more than sixty-five books for young readers. Many of them are in the field of science, and their range reflects the diversity of her own interests - bats, dolphins, dogs, volcanoes, earthquakes, the ice ages, the Everglades, the planets, and earthworms.

Two of her books, SEEDS: POP STICK GLIDE and JOURNEY TO THE PLANETS, were nonfiction nominees for The American Book Award. She was the 1983 winner of The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to children's nonfiction literature.

As well as writing books, Ms. Lauber has been editor of Junior Scholastic, editor-in-chief of Science World, and chief editor, science and mathematics, of The New Book of Knowledge.

A graduate of Wellesley College, she is married and lives in Connecticut. When not writing, she enjoys hiking, sailing, traveling, cooking, reading, and listening to music.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good information. Wish the illustrations weren't so dully cartoonish.

I dislike the format change this series made. The books feel cheaper and less substantial.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

My five-year-old has been learning a bit here and there about geography, and also about how scientists and historians make adjustments to their thinking as new information comes to light. She was fascinated by the idea that people used to believe the earth was flat, and I could tell she felt smart for knowing that it is round. She also made a lot of connections between this book and others she has read about Columbus and other explorers. It was a perfect read-aloud for a kindergartner, and would work well in general for grades K-3.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

06/09: What a fun little book! There is some great info. in this one, along with nifty experiments for the kids.

Inside Cover:
Today nearly everybody knows that the earth is round. But long ago, people were sure the earth was flat. They thought it was flat because it looked flat. It still does. The earth's real shape was discovered about 2,500 years ago by certain Greeks who were great thinkers. They thought about why ships seemed to sink when they sailed out of a harbor instead of simply growing smaller. They also thought about what happens when a shadow dims the face of the full moon in an eclipse -- and about the shape of the shadow. They realized that only one thing could explain what they were seeing: The earth must be round, not flat.

A long time passed before sailors acted on the Greek discovery. The first to do so was Columbus, who sailed west in hopes of reaching the Indies. Other daring sailors followed, and some sailed all the way around the earth. Today we have photos of Earth, taken from spaceships and satellites. People can see for themselves: The earth is round.

[Jen]

Integrates history and science with reading; a good survey of how we have viewed the earth over time. (Nonfiction)