Kaboom! a Volcano Erupts - Hardcover

by Jessica Kulekjian (Author), Zoe Si (Illustrator)

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.

Author Biography

Jessica Kulekjian lives in Central California, where she spent much of her childhood outdoors, swimming, climbing trees, exploring and inventing stories. As she grew, she started writing those stories down. Jessica went on to study creative writing and education in college and earned an MA in teaching. Today, Jessica is an elementary school teacher and writes in the early morning hours. Her passion for nature, free play and interest-led learning inspires all her stories.
Zoe Si is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated cartoonist and illustrator with a lifelong passion for laughing at her own jokes. After practicing law for a number of years, she now spends her days making children's books, cartooning and writing funny articles for the New Yorker, and drawing comics. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and a large, fluffy dog.