*Longlisted for the CBCA 2020 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books*

Find out where rain comes from and what geysers look like! Read about soil becoming too salty and why greenhouse gases are increasing. Did you know that fog is a cloud sitting on the ground and that ice can tell you about the environment of millions of years ago? And what is lightning anyway? Australian Backyard Earth Scientist is full of fantastic photos and fascinating information that help explain different aspects of earth science — a science that discovered how old the Earth is, what fossils tell us, how mountains were created, what causes earthquakes, what the difference between weather and climate is, and why glaciers are melting. These questions and many more are answered in Australian Backyard Earth Scientist.

There are projects, as well, that you can do at home — like making your own fossils, collecting cloud types, and using tree rings to find out about past weather. Older readers will enjoy more detailed explanations and links to extra information in an extensive References section. Australian Backyard Earth Scientist is an absorbing resource for both homes and classrooms. A thematic approach makes it easy for young readers to discover the influences that have fashioned our earth—and are still acting to change it. From the beginnings of the planet through to climate change and today's concerns about rapid transformation, interesting and fun facts and projects help develop an understanding and appreciation. Teachers' notes available here