• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: k to 3
• Reading age: 5 to 8

The story of a volcano's eruption, as it's never been told before! A perfect pick for budding volcanologists --- or any child who can't resist a good kaboom!

Here's a step-by-step story of a volcanic eruption --- told from the volcano's point of view! Readers meet the volcano as it placidly slumbers, which it's been doing for thousands of years. Then things begin to stir to life deep inside. First come the hisses, as hot magma moves into a chamber beneath the volcano. Then, steam, gas and ash start to gurgle and sputter out, followed by the magma and gases rising up. Finally, the volcano shouts, “I'm awake!” as lava, hot rocks and billows of ash erupt out of its vents with a giant kaboom!

In this lively informational picture book, Jessica Kulekjian uses a playful and spirited tone to introduce the thrilling natural phenomenon of an erupting volcano. The unique first-person narrative makes this a perfect read-aloud, giving listeners the opportunity to act out what's happening. The volcano's narration is augmented by the comments of a red bird who appears on every spread to provide the play-by-play and to introduce easily digestible volcanic facts and terms, from magma chamber and tectonic plates to ash clouds. The quirky, funny artwork by Pulitzer Prize-nominated cartoonist and illustrator Zoe Si uses cutaway illustrations for a look inside the volcano. The text has been vetted by volcano experts. Backmatter includes a volcano's anatomy, phases and types, and sources for further learning. An excellent choice for earth science lessons on volcanoes, earth's crust, minerals, rocks and erosion.

After a childhood spent outdoors, Jessica Kulekjian studied education and creative writing in college. Now, she teaches second grade and writes stories inspired by her passion for nature, free play and learning. She is the author of several books for children, including Before We Stood Tall, an NCTE Notable Book in Poetry. Jessica lives in central California with her family.

Jessica Kulekjian's profile page

Zoe Si is a cartoonist and illustrator who has illustrated a number of children’s books and is a regular contributor of cartoons and humor pieces to the New Yorker. She has a lifelong passion for laughing at her own jokes and is always looking for new ways to tell stories with her art. Zoe lives with her husband in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, where she also practiced law for several years. Visit her at www.zoe-si.com.

Zoe Si's profile page

• Short-listed, NC Junior Book Award, The North Carolina Children's Book Award program
• Joint winner, Delaware Diamond; Grades K-2, Diamond State Reading Association (DSRA)
• Short-listed, Kentucky Bluegrass Award; Grades K-2, Kentucky Association of School Librarians

... a winner. Not only is it a fun read-aloud for the adult to 'whisper', 'hiss', 'gurgle', and 'growl' through, but imagine the audience participation. Find a space for it on your library shelf if you can. Highly recommend.—CM Magazine

This is a book that begs to be read out loud ... a fun and effective introduction to volcanology that should perk up elementary STEAM collections.

Booklist

... a winner. Not only is it a fun read-aloud for the adult to 'whisper', 'hiss', 'gurgle', and 'growl' through, but imagine the audience participation. Find a space for it on your library shelf if you can. Highly recommend.

CM Magazine

Burst into the explosive process of a volcano erupting ... Effective and exciting resource for upper elementary and middle school students studying volcanoes, earthquakes, science, geology, and natural disasters.

Children's Literature

Burst into the explosive process of a volcano erupting ... Effective and exciting resource for upper elementary and middle school students studying volcanoes, earthquakes, science, geology, and natural disasters.—Children's Literature