There are several reasons to consider purchasing this stand-alone title. It's one of relatively few resources designed to frame children's understanding of last year's Indian Ocean tragedy, and the publisher will donate its net profits to the tsunami relief arm of the United Nations Children's Fund. Adamson first delivers clear information about what happened on December 26, 2004, honestly noting that many people could not escape. Subsequent spreads address the causes of tsunamis, illustrating the forces at work with clear diagrams; the remarkable power propelling the waves; and systems of detection and warning. Reassurances that tsunamis do not happen very often place the dramatic discussions in the appropriate context. The full-color photos avoid depictions of humans in peril, although the same is not true of some of the Web sites accessible through a publisher-maintained portal. Interested readers will also find a chapter on the tragedy in Jennifer Reed's Earthquakes (2005), part of Enslow's Disaster and Survival series.

Gr 2-4-Adamson explains how tsunamis are caused and how they move through the ocean and grow in height as they approach the shore. He describes the damage they cause, the kinds of warning systems used to detect them, and the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster. The writing is concise but clear, and the layout features a full-page illustration facing each page of easy-to-read text. Excellent photos of the 2004 tsunami are featured, and the diagrams of the earth's plates and earthquakes are simple but informative. An effective and attractive introduction.-Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.