Planet Earth: What Planet Are You On?    by Simon Basher, Dan Gilpin & Dan Green Order:  USA  Can Kingfisher, 2010 (2010) Softcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Bob Walch This clever series of science books created by Simon Basher covers astronomy, biology, physics, rocks and minerals, and the periodic table. Now the Basher creative team focuses its attention on planet Earth. Creating characters that personify the elements they want youngsters to know about, the Basher team presents six sets of characters. Each set or team has anywhere from four to sixteen members. For example, the ten characters of the insiders include Plates, Rocks, Earthquake, and Crust. Each character's two page spread contains a full page, color illustration on the character and information that spells out its various attributes. For example, Earthquake releases energy from rocks, making the ground move. Earthquake is kick-started by movements of Earth's plates and volcanoes. He also hangs out or appears where plates crash or slide past each other. 'I shake things up,' explains Earthquake. 'Everything trembles before my mighty power ... I can be dangerous and destructive, but I can't help it. Pressure just builds up, and then I explode.' You'll also learn that Earthquake's intensity is measured from 1 to 10 on the Richter scale and that the most earthquake prone county is Japan. As primary grade readers become acquainted with a host of characters like Drought and Greenhouse Effect from the Weather Gang and the Landlubbers crew including Rift Valley and Island, they will also be learning some basic information about the planet they live on. Not only does this book introduce some potentially challenging scientific material but it also makes the youngster want to do further research to learn more about these fascinating characters! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews