Review Detail

‘Earth is Big: A Book of Comparisons’ by Steve Tomecek, illustrated by Marcos Farina, makes the case for how the Earth has many similarities and differences that make it unique and special. The Earth is not only big, but small. It is not only old, but young. It is not only cold, but hot. These are just some of the aspects of the book that make it quite intriguing to read. Some trees, like the Old Tjikko in Sweden, is 9,500 years old, while many common trees like the oak, maple, and pine, can have a life span of 1,000 years, probably much longer than some might think. On the other hand, a robin has a life span of only 2 years, while a housefly can only live for 4 weeks, and a mayfly for less than a day.

With a glossary and a page about converting metric units into United States customary units, there are facts about almost every aspect of the Earth that one might consider. An especially interesting one is how a lightning bolt’s temperature is hotter than the surface of the sun, registering in at 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The Earth is also one of the smaller planets in diameter, at 7,926 miles.

Learning about our planet is interesting in itself, but there are also facts about everyday objects, people, and places that will satisfy anyone’s curiosity. A cool read to add to one’s bookshelf, this is a must read for trivia facts alone!