I use multiple copies of this text in my fifth grade class to teach landforms, and weather. This book is way better than any textbook I have ever seen. Each topic has full color pictures, and easy child friendly text. The key vocabulary words are in bold print, and the index makes for easy finding of information. The hard back has kept up well in my room this year, as it is treated like the other text books I issue the students (we all know what happens to those). I could not be more pleased with this book. I highly recomend this book to anyone researching physical science.