Beverley MacDonald and Andrew Weldon: Big Bangs

Allen and Unwin

$19.95

A little late for Guy Fawkes, but a useful primer for inquiring children that runs from the primordial Big Bang 15 billion years ago to Mt St Helens that sent a cubic kilometre of rock and detritus into the air.

There are quick digressions on everything from landmines to breech-loading rifles.

This is not presented in uncritical fashion. The book's bright and breezy tone slows down to make sure young readers know the consequences of the explosions.