Aud: J. (E. Gieschen)
Video Librarian
March/April 2004
The sun is so big that you could fit a million Earths inside of it...but it’s still considered just average when it comes to stars. The Inner Planets, however, is above average when it comes to presenting an overview of part of the solar system with clear, factual information buttressed by good visuals. One in a four-volume series entitled Astronomy, this program focuses on the sun and the first four planets-Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars-describing the sizes, times of revolution and rotation, physical appearance, and surface condition for each. Regular “You Decide” segments, along with a 15-question video review, help promote critical thinking, while vocabulary words are presented in appropriate context. The other titles in the series (series price: VHS or DVD: $299) are: The Outer Planets, The Amazing Universe, and Earth, Sun, and Moon. Recommended.