Book Description

Made for those two moments in the day when parents and young children spend quality time together, here are two marvelous gifts-two innovative additions to the bestselling BRAIN QUEST series, each combining a single full-color deck with an adorable animal companion.

It's evening, the day's craziness is fading, and in bedrooms across the country parents and children snuggle up to read. Even if there's time for nothing else during the day, there's always time made for sharing a story.

With BRAIN QUEST BEDTIME, parents and young kids can sidle up under the covers and learn about the moon, the stars, owls, and Rip Van Winkle. There is a 50-card full-color deck with stories, poems, over 150 questions and answers-plus jokes and riddles, too-all accompanied by a plush teddy bear puppet. The subjects are calming, related to sleep and nighttime, and encourage the kind of quiet, wondering conversation ("Do dogs dream while they're asleep?") that's so important right before turning out the light. See also Brain Quest Bathtime. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Top quality science text book.
Very complete and organized.Solid foundation of general science from a Christian perspective, without being sappy.Goes into The progress of Science,Scientific Inquiry, How to Analyze and Interpret Experiments, Applied Science, History of Life: Archaeology,Geology, and Paleontolegy. The Fossil Record, Uniformitarianism and Catastrophism, What is Life? The Human Body-Digestive System,Resiratory and Circulatory Systems,Lymphatic,Endocrine, and Urinary Systems, Nervouse Sytems. Energy and Life.All Experiments can be done in the home using house hold items, and have organized supply lists for each Module.
A+++++ Curriculum. ... Read more

Book Description

An award-winning author and artist explain how every link in a food chain is important because each living thing depends on others for survival. "Clear, simple drawings illustrate the clear, simple text. Informative and intriguing, this basic science book leads children to think about the complex and interdependent web of life on Earth."'BL.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1996 (NSTA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My 2nd Graders Thought This Was Cool
Interesting, written on a level primary school students can understand, and packed with information

Good but not great
By the time the kids are at this level most of them already have some idea of the food chain concept (and anybody who has played Magic School Bus Animals definitely will!). It sits right at the cross roads of two levels- a solid first grade book, perhaps.

Great for elementary students!
This book is great to use when studying food chains. The kids love it! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Outstanding resource
My kids loved these fun learning activities. Enough to keep them busy through early childhood. Nothing canned here. . . all creative and discovery-focused. Makes biology and even physics accessable to very young children. You can't go wrong with this outstanding guide.

This series is GREAT
This is really handy for the budding scientist in your preschooler. Experiements are written so that the early reader can understand and do the experiments on their own (it lets the reader know when a parent needs to help or supervise, such as when scissors are involved) and has question that the parent can use to further expand on projects. Also check this whole series, such as math play, arts and crafts from around the world, rainy day play, weather, shapes, etc. My son loves these activies. Plus for the price, you can't beat it. (...)

Dissatisfied in Annandale
This book had some neat ideas and experiments, but not enough explanations for them. I have a very inquisitive 4 year old and this book just didn't satisfy his curiosity or my expectations.

You can't find a better book for Early Childhood Science
As a science teacher who specializes in Early Childhood Science, you can't find a better book than this. It has good simple activities. It has different questions you can ask the children to stimulate their thinking. It has short explanations for grown-ups. It even has literature (read-aloud) suggestions. I've read a lot of science books, those published by educational publishers, those with fancy titles etc... and this is the one I recommend to our teachers.

Preschoolers will love these fun "science" activities.
We bought "Science Play" not knowing the joy it wouldbring to our three year old. She LOVES this book! We enjoy doing theactivities with her and like that most "supplies needed" are items we have around the house. The activities are easy, fast and interactive so toddlers are kept interested. Another Bonus: No TV or Computer needed -- just Mom or Dads time. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Challenging... yet inviting
Of Physical Science books I have yet to find one superior to this. The text is thorough enough to be challenging yet inviting to the student. Regardless of your religious beliefs I would highly recommend this text. Our local Christian school uses this text and skips over the evolution part. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. It's such a shame. Another plus for this series is the support materials offered to supplement the text. There are skill sheets, lab sheets, CDroms, test booklets, a plethora of choices. Great for home schoolers!

Darwin Fish
Even if you do not beleive the evolution theory, that does not
mean that there is no hard evidence for it. I think that this
textbook is a good teaching resource and would recommend the
"Holt Science & Technology" series to all non-religeous middle
school science teachers. THIS IS A PURELY SCIENTIFIC
REFERENCE. THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR RELIGEOUS
SCHOOLS.

--Anonymous Teacher

This book teaches evolution, which is a proven hoax.
Why does this book claim fossils determine the age of the dirt they were found in and then claims the age of the earth's crust can be determined by the index fossil found? This is circular reasoning! There is no proof of evolution but there is proof of the biblical flood! Read Bones of Contention or In the Beginning. Go to creationscience.org for real proof of the age of the earth. No bible necessary, though always encouraged. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Packed full of great info!
This book, like the others in the series, is full of bright pictures, diagrams and charts.

The chapters are:

What's Life All About? (with an easy to understand description of the various plant and animal kingdoms)

The Animal Kingdom

The Plant Kingdom

Ecology and the Landscapes of Life

Planet Earth

Outer Space

The Physical World

The basic concepts are simply explained, with helpful graphics, so it is very easy to understand.

From the history of plants on earth to the effects of erosion on the earth and oceans, to the table of elements and the laws of motion, every concept is easy to grasp.

This is a wonderful book, and my kids really enjoy it.

Highly recommended for children from 2nd through 8th grade. (Although the book says 4 - 6 grades.)

Everything You Need to Know About Science Homework
I am an educator, and in my opinion, this book is an excellent, entertaining resource chockful of scientific information. It covers topics in biology, earth science, chemistry and even physics. The color, interesting illustrations are well done and informative. ... Read more

Book Description

Illustrated in full color. In this playful introduction to maps and

geography, step by simple step, a young girl shows readers herself on a map of

her room, her room on the map of her house, her house on the map of her

street--all the way to her country on a map of the world. Once the reader is

familiar with the maps, she demonstrates how readers can find their own

country, state, and town--all the way back to their room--on each colorful map.

Easy-to-read text, bright artwork, and charming details give children a lot to

search for and will have them eager to help navigate on the next family

vacation.




... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Perspective for Younger Children
A very simplistic but impacting look at maps from a me/mine perspective beginning with her room, house, street... all the way to world and then back to room. The theme is "everyone has a special place in the world and this is how you'll find me"; using a map. The illustrations of the map are very vague in terms of detail, but gives a great relative perspective of the area it comprises. It will introduce the younger children and provide a more vivid explanation to the older ones. I would recommend ages K-4th grades.

Excellent Choice
This book is simple yet engaging. My 4th grade students gained a deeper understanding of their location in this vast universe. They were able to follow the book's example and create their own personal map book. I believe this book should be a part of every elementary classroom.

Cute Book, helps kids put the world in perspective
I love this book. It helps kids relate the reality of their world to the world as a whole, It also helps them understand maps, which are really fairly abstract. It starts with a picture of a little girl in her room, and, on the facing page, her drawing of a "map of my room". Then it shows her house, and her "map of my house". Then the street, with the house on it, then the town, with the street on it, etc. The pictures zoom all the way out to a view of the Earth from space. My daughter loves it, and has drawn "maps" of her room, our house, etc. like those in the book

A great introduction to maps & communities for primary ages
In all my years as an elementary school librarian, this has to be the best introduction to maps that I have seen for primary grades. It is written at a 1.7 reading level, which makes it accessible to first through third grades. In our school, the third grade teachers do a unit on communities, and this title ties in beautifully with that.

I like the way Joan Sweeney starts with, "This is me" and builds the concept through "my room," "my house," "my street," and on to town, state, country and the world. Then she goes backwards until she concludes with "...everybody has their own special place on the map. Just like me."

Simple text inspires days of fun, family activities
My four year son and I love this book. I used this book and the mapping activities it inspires to teach my son our address. We basically recreated this book with all of its maps to establish my child's very special place on the map (his bedroom, our home, our street, our town, our state, etc.)

If you like this book, try also: Me and My Family Tree. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Contrary to popular belief, the earth is not flat. Therefore it standsto reason that a geography book should pop up, spin, and reveal the world'ssecrets in all its three-dimensional glory. This truly Amazing Pop-Upbook, virtually exploding with action and visual stimulation, is divided intoeight main categories: "Our Place in Space," "Sunshine," "Continents andOceans," "Rivers and Mountains," "Countries," "Disaster!," "Journey Time," and"Who Lives Here?" Each page is jam-packed with flaps to lift, wheels to dial,tabs to pull, and exciting pop-ups. There's even an expandable globe hanging onan elastic string, so readers can take a closer look at Earth as they learn moreabout its components. Scientific, political, and geographical information ispresented in an easy-to-absorb, lighthearted way, so even the reluctantgeographer will have no problem mastering the basics and much more. Sillycharacters named Sonny Sun, Eartha Earth, the Quizmaster (a walrus in a tophat), Disastrous Dan, Julian Journey, and Otis Ocean guide readers through thepages, and encourage everyone to take good care of the world. This lively bookis a terrific companion to Kate Petty and Jennie Maizels's other AmazingPop-Up books: The Amazing Pop-UpMultiplication Book, TheAmazing Pop-Up Grammar Book, and The Amazing Pop-Up Music Book.Death-defying paper mechanics and truly fascinating information about theuniverse ensure a happy surprise for children who've wondered if there isn'tanything more to geography. (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (7)

My 3 year old loves it!
OK, I know it was a little premature buying him the book at 1 year old (I couldn't resist it). I hid it away until he was old enough not to want to rip the pieces out of it. He found it at 2, and has been reading it ever since. The other day he opened the book and told me that he was going to read to me this time. He proceeded to name all the planets, (and a week later did it backwards). He can name the tallest mountain, the longest river. And has a lot of fun simulating an earthquake and a tornado.

Not bad for a 3 year old! A great book. I'm online because I'm ordering the rest of the series.

Hours of Fun!
I wasn't sure what to think when I purchased this book for my 8-year-old daughter. We homeschool and she already uses a formal geography textbook...besides, pop-up books are for babies, right? NOT this one! The pages are jammed packed with fun facts, mesmerizing illustrations and many, many little pop-ups that relate interesting facts in a fun, entertaining way. This is truly a kid-friendly book with an earthquake that actually "shakes", a volcano that 'explodes" mid-page, and a hurricane that spirals and whirls around! I especially like the 2-page layout of the world (titled "Countries") where you can find a famous pop-up landmark on the spot of several famous capital cities. This is a cool book that will keep your kids entertained for hours. I use it when I need a break bt feel guilty taking one! My kids don't even miss me. For earlier grades it can stand alone, for mid to upper grades it is a fantastic supplement. I would also suggest the Geography Songs Kit from Audio Memory, Inc. as a companion learning component to this book. Thanks to these resources, and a good atlas and globe, geography is my daughter's favorite subject!

5 Stars (easily). Enjoy -- and don't be afraid to admit that you actually did!!!

Pop Geography for the pop-up set
Kids love pop up books, but outgrow most of them pretty early- often about the time that they get good at not tearing the pop up tabs! This is a fun book w/ plenty of interesting little geography facts for slightly older kids (say, up to 2nd grade; maybe 3rd if they are not strong readers). American kids (at least those who aren't in Montessori programs) don't get much geography, and this is a fun way to broaden their horizons a bit. Our 6 y.o. thoroughly enjoyed reading through it on her own, quizzing us from time to time. Be prepared!

Fun for all ages
I could hardly keep this book from my kids, and did not want to part with it myself...they all love it from the toddler to the nine year old! It is a very fun and memorable way to teach geography!

A marvellous pop-up. Makes geography fun
The other favorable reviews really do say it all. This is a delightful pop-up, filled with fascinating facts. It's great for kids too. ... Read more

Book Description

What makes a shell like a house?

A house is a home for you, a nest is a home for a bird, and a cave is a home for a bear. But for some animals a shell is a home. Snails and turtles and crabs and clams all have shells that act as their homes and protect them from harm. In this book you'll learn all about these and other crustaceous creatures, for whom a shell is just the right sort of home.

Book Description

"Amoeba"

Don't ever tease a wee amoeba

By calling him a her amoeba.

And don't call her a him amoeba.

Or never he a she amoeba.

'Cause whether his or hers amoeba,

They too feel like you and meba.

What if a boring lesson about the food chain becomes a sing-aloud celebration about predators and prey? A twinkle-twinkle little star transforms into a twinkle-less, sunshine-eating-and rhyming Black Hole?What ifamoebas, combustion, metamorphosis, viruses, the creation of the universe areall irresistible, laugh-out-loud poetry? Well, you're thinking in science verse,that's what. And if you can't stop the rhymes . . . the atomic joke is on you.Only the amazing talents of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, the team who createdMath Curse, could make science so much fun. A CD with text read by Scieszka andSmith is included. ... Read more

Book Description

How can fish live in water? Why don’t they drown? The answer to this fishy question and more can be found in this latest addition to the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. The book clearly explains how a fish’s body is perfectly suited to life underwater, just as our bodies are suited for life on land.

1996 ‘Pick of the Lists’ (ABA)
Best Children’s Science Books 1995 (Science Books and Film) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great science book for young kids!
Wendy Pfeffer has a talent for making difficult science concepts understandable to young children. This is a lively and very kid-friendly book with cheerful illustrations that kids will enjoy and learn from. ... Read more

Book Description

With Marilyn Hefner's new full color illustrations, bacteria and viruses have never looked so good! As packed with wit and good humor as with charts and diagrams, this book is still the best explanation of how your body fights germs. ‘An introduction to bacteria and viruses and how each of the two forms attacks cells and makes a person feel sick. The text mixes information with reassurance. . . . A nonthreatening first exposure, administered with a pleasant bedside manner.' 'K.

A Reading Rainbow Featured Selection
Best Children's Science Books 1995 (Science Books and Films) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A missed opportunity to teach about hygiene
Although this book is thorough in describing the differences between viruses and bacteria, I think it misses an important opportunity to reinforce hygiene...wash your hands, cover your mouth etc. These are given a cursory review on the last page, with no accompanying illustration. I had hoped that this book would help my almost-4-year-old to understand how people get sick, how they get well, and how they can help prevent communicable disease to reinforce what I teach at home. I do not think that the authors did a very good job of meeting those expectations.

An untimidating, practical account of germs for young reader
My three-year old son really enjoys this book. The book's fairly simple, yet informative account of how viruses and bacteria can make us sick helps to make the abstract concept of germs more concrete for him. As an added bonus, the book gives a plug for handwashing, covering mouths when sneezing or coughing, and not sharing cups that most preschoolers can benefit from. I must also confess that, despite having read the Times Science section for years, I learned quite a bit about viruses and bacteria from this simple, well-illustrated book. A good buy, especially for parents who field a lot of factual queries every day. The Let's Read and Find Out series is a great way to let someone else do the explaining for a change. ... Read more

Book Description

After rain comes down, the sun comes out and dries the puddles. But the water isn't gone. The heat from the sun has turned it into water vapor-it has evaporated. Eventually, this moisture in the air condenses to form new clouds. Soon the rain will fall again. Read on to find out all the ups and downpours of the water cycle!

Reviews (1)

Where Does It Come From?
Down Comes The Rain is an excellent book that introduces to young children the formation of rain and where it actually comes from. It also discusses the transformation of water into ice and also the evaporation of water. Children can understand the book through its simple terms and colorful illustrations. Rain is just one of the many things that young children often wonder about. It is a very good book that can be added to any elementary classroom when discussing a unit on weather or simply to have at home to read togther on rainy days! Many hands-on activities, such as putting a teaspoon of water into a saucer and coming back to see that it has evaporated into the air, can be done by using this book. I have added this book to my list that I plan to use in the classroom! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here's a science dictionary worth poring over for hours. The concise, well-written text and amazing photos and drawings in The Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science provide an overview of science, from physics to biology, astronomy to mathematics--nine major fields in all. Within the larger sections, each fairly broad subtopic (such as "Reptiles," "Catalysts," and "Medical Imaging") gets a two-page spread. A brief beginning section introduces science as a concept and the work of scientists, while a useful section in the back bolsters the dictionary material with tables of measurements and data. The real strength of a visual dictionary is its images, and this one doesn't disappoint. The illustrations, including intricate cross sections, explanatory diagrams, and fascinating photos, are topnotch. This edition is up-to-date, with information on computer networks and mammalian cloning--a great family science reference. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent Reference for Kids and Adults
I purchased this book for my 4 year old son who keeps asking lots of questions. While the book may be a bit advanced and he is just learning to read, he enjoys my explaining the various topics within. This books is not for kids only and is an excellent reference to have in the home as adults can gain as much from this excellent reference. Also a great book and companion volume is the Ultimate Visual Dictionary. DK books really puts out great books and this one is tops on my list.

Excellent Resource!
A superb resource for children and adults! Excellent photos, experiment descriptions, and drawings. Covers every major science field. I use it to learn about new areas and to refresh my college level subjects such as physics and chemistry. It is simple enough for children, but includes advanced information, such as physics formulas, that makes it wonderful for adults as well. I can't say enough good things about this book!

Incredible!
I bought this for my nephew, and was so interested by it I spent half the night reading it!

My wife finaly started looking through it and liked it so much she wanted it for Christmas for herself!

It covers anatomy, biology, chemstry, earth science, physics, astronomy, computers & electronics - and much more - everything!!

This Book Will Make You Smarter
If you have read my other reviews you know I don't give out five stars very readily. This is a five-star book.

There are about 170 two-page, profusely illustrated spreads that give you the basic background on practically every topic in modern science.

Read one of these two-page spreads every other day. It will take you ten minutes or so. In less than a year you will be dramatically better informed about science. There isn't a more pleasant way to get so much smarter, so quickly.

This is a book every home should have.

Exquisite reference.
The "Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science" may well be just that. For this exquisite reference brims with 1,600 color photos, 200 illustrations, and 15,000 completely accessible terms. This mammoth work covers everything from Physics and Chemistry to Ecology and Computer Science, and it "allows you to browse the thematic sections at your leisure or to use it as a quick-reference visual dictionary." Everyone will have a favorite section. I particularly enjoyed the Earth Sciences, with its stunningly-clear iilustrations of coastlines and the ocean floor. And in the Astronomy and Astrophysics chapter, you'll find remarkable slice-away graphics that show, say, the planet Jupiter, with its hydrogen and helium atmosphere covering not a rocky surface, but a mantle of liquid hydrogen and helium! The book's layout is superb. Indeed, every page dazzles with a wealth of color and information. This is a must-purchase. ... Read more

Book Description

Most children have jumped into piles of leaves or helped their parents rake the yard, and everyone has wondered: Why do leaves change color? Activities that a child can do with leaves and even a list of places known for brilliant fall colors that readers can visit with their families is included. "An informative concept book."—BL.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fairly detailed book for early elementary children.
I have this book in my preschool classroom, but it is not one that I read at storytime. We use it as a resource when one child begins to question how or why the leaves change color. It is a helpful resource for me as an adult to understand the process, yet in simple language and with pictures to make it interesting for children. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Science made EASY!
This book is simply great. I bought several of Jean Potter's other books so when I found her name on line, I decided to buy this one. It is everything I thougt it would be and MORE! I love art, but never thought the two mixed. This is a book for every kid, teacher and parent!

I never realized how beautiful science can be.
I had never really thought how beautiful and mysterious and colorful and delightful science could be. This book inspires me, a person who has never really liked science all that much. Now I do! And I will pass that on to my kids when we do the Chromatography Art Experiment and separate colors on absorbant paper. Can't wait!

Wonderful way to integrate science and art!
What a wonderful and unique approach to science education! This book is jammed full of one-page "art experiments." The key is to use art projects to learn some science principles. Among many of the ideas to learn are dissolving, symmetry, reflecting light, gravity and friction. The only drawback is that the book could benefit from an introduction on the inquiry-based approach to learning...From The Science Spiders(TM) Newsletter.

A great resource book for preschool teachers
Like all of Mary Ann Kohl's books, this one is easily readable, with 1 activity listed per page, including pictures of the activity. It provides a reminder that science doesn't only happen at the science table! I often make my student interns choose an activity from this book (or MathArts)as the activities are open ended, process-oriented, and explained step by step. A great resource. ... Read more

Book Description

You don't have to be a genius to entertain and educate kids at the same time. The Mad Scientist Handbook 2 includes 50 more wild and wacky experiments to get children excited about science. Packed with easy-to-understand instructions and simple illustrations, this engaging activity book shows kids how to create Alka-Seltzer-powered rockets, disappearing ink, a Dixie Cup bridge, flour fireworks, and much more. Plus, they'll learn lots of weird facts and practical information along the way, like how every experiment in the book works and who figured it out first. It's the perfect handbook for every budding mad scientist. ... Read more