Book Description

Each title in the series is a classic of design and insight.Brilliantly researched and in the handiest of formats, knowledgebecomes more accessible with these pockets full of information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Super!
This is a nice reference guide for all ages.I have a 4 year old who isVERY interested in nature and I bought this book to aid myself and her inidentifying various birds that we run across.It is perfect for an adultas well as children.There are plenty of pictures that even a child whocannot read, can still understand. ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a time, there was a diaper-wearing princess who wouldn't use her potty. Her royally frustrated parents were beside themselves: what could they do? They pleaded, they demonstrated, they brought in potties from all over the kingdom: pink potties, polka-dotted potties, musical potties, even one that glowed in the dark. But with every new potty, the Princess would only say "Take it away!" and wear her diaper instead.

In this comical look at toilet training, Wendy Cheyette Lewison and Rick Brown turn an all-too-familiar dilemma into a royally funny romp. A must for toddlers and parents trying to keep a sense of humor about toilet training. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great book to motivate toddlers into toilet training!
I feel this book is an excellent tool to aid in the toilet training process. I bought character underpants and a neat potty, but it wasn't until my daughter read about someone else getting their panties, did she take an interest in going to the potty. The princess' experiences resembled her own - i.e. preferred going in her diaper, didn't want to have anything to do with the potty, and her OWN panties excited and motivated her. It helped her to have someone to "relate" to. We still have a ways to go, but I believe this book gave her a step up in the process.

No 'special potties' needed! Funny, gets them interested.
As I began reading this book about a little girl whose royal parents buy her every color and pattern potty imaginable to get her to potty train, I was a bit worried my child would begin demanding her own 'pink potty'. However, as you read you discover none of these bribes work with the little girl-she simply doesn't want to (sound familiar? It did for me). Anyway, only the thought of soiling the princess' pretty, new undies gives her the desire to run to the potty in the end. And it is then that she discovers she doesn't need any of those fancy potties, the closest potty will do(which is the plain, old potty)! Now, my daughter couldn't care less about pretty panties when we began to suggest potty training. ... This was her favorite book and it is so cute she actually continued choosing it in her nightly read selections for some time after potty training. ... Anyway, would reccomend this Princess and the Potty to keep the task at hand foremost in their little minds and then one other for more specific step-by-step instructional which can tend to be not as attractive for them to want to read. Good luck! If you stick to it and let them feel the few messes and help clean up, you'll succeed!

Excellent
Our little girl was really reluctant to use the toilet. I found this book really helpful because it showed a little girl having issues using the toilet. At the end there is a lovely picture of a happy little girl sitting on the toilet - very useful.

"Less Than Fairy Tale Reactions"
While this story happens "once upon a time," it sure sounds like some contemporary families I know. Princess is a royal - um, challenge who refuses to use her potty. King and Queen worry more about what the neighbors will think and about pleasing the princess than finding an effective solution. Even in my own home, we were overindulgent when training our firstborn on her own little throne (Stickers? Silly songs and dances? Nothing but a royal hassle!).

Since then we have read almost every potty book available on the market (over two dozen!). Most fit into two categories: INSTRUCTIONAL books that introduce the skills needed to master the potty; and those that are primarily ENTERTAINING, for children who understand what is supposed to happen on the potty, but need extra time to make it happen.

This text is more detailed than most, the vocabulary more difficult (with words like chambermaids and pantalettes, for example). But I found Wendy Cheyette Lewison's fairy tale ENTERTAINING. Unfortunately my little ones found it a little too lengthy and lost interest before I reached the end. Too bad. The Princess and the Potty is a delightful read from the once upon a time to the happily ever after.

Fun and Helpful For Toddlers and Parents
What a great "potty-learning" story! I was a little sceptical when I first saw the title - I thought it sounded silly. But after reading more descriptions and reviews I changed my mind. Boy am I glad I did! My 22 month old daughter loves it and so do I.
The pictures are fantastic and the story is done very well. I like how tactfully it is told. It feels like you are reading just any other fairy tale about a princess but it is nicely wrapped around the potty :-) Great reminders for parents too.

My daughter really gets into this book. She really likes the part where the princess says "This potty doesn't please me, take it away!" And always grins and nods her head sharply. (Maybe it's just the way I read it, but it's cute anyway.)

She loves to sit on the potty with this book and has me read it to her several times a day (esp. at bedtime) and also "reads" it to herself during the day. Unfortunately, though, it is soft cover with paper pages (most of her books are board books) she is pretty good with it but it still gets slightly damaged. I have to be careful to put it away when she is done with it so that it doesn't get trampled or lost under her toys and therefore crumpled.

Definitely a keeper, get it for you and your princess. Great to have in the library. (We also have "The Potty Book for Girls" and "My Potty Book for Girls") ... Read more

Book Description

"Mom, where do babies come from?" Many parents live in fear of the day their child asks that question—which inevitably happens,often as early as the preschool years. Here is a picture book designed especially for youngchildren who are becoming sexually aware but aren’t ready to learn about sexual intercourse.Written with warmth and honesty, Amazing You! presents clear and age-appropriate informationabout reproduction, birth, and the difference between girls’ and boys’ bodies. Lynne Cravath’swhimsical illustrations enliven the text, making this a book that parents will gladly share with their young ones. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great job combining math, history, science & geography!
This is a picture book format biography of Eratosthenes, who lived in Ancient Greece, focusing on how he calculated the size of the Earth using a mathematical formula and measurements taken by measuring shadows and length of footsteps from one location to another. Eratostehenes had many roles and talents, one being that he was a mathematician and author of books on several topics. He wrote the first geography book, which included the first map of the world and the first documentation of the size of the Earth.

The publisher says this is for ages 4-8 however the math concept of the formula he used to determine the size of the Earth was too complex for my 6 year old to grasp. The text is long-ish compared to a typical picture book as well, so I think this can extend a little beyond 8 yrs. if it is acting as a brief biography. I am not sure how many chapter book format biographies are out there for kids 9 and up on Eratosthenes, so this may be better than nothing for older kids!

The colorful pictures are nice and really compliment the text, especially when showing how he thought about measuring the Earth and comparing it to a grapefruit. It also addresses the idea of asking questions, curiosity, and making guesses at answers about things in the world that they did not yet know about.

This is a combination of history, math, and geography with a little scientific thought thrown in. It laid out his first questions and theories and how he came up with different ideas to come up with a way to measure a part of the land. We learn about what worked and what failed, leading up to how he finally came to a method that he thought was accurate, and why he thought this formula would work. His computation was about 200 miles off of the distance we measured in this century!

Within the story we learn about what schools were like for boys in Ancient Greece, that books were in scroll format, what libraries were like (and that they were rare) and other tidbits.

There is a bibliography included that can be used for further reading resources as well. This book is also a great example of how one book can cross over several subject areas: math, history, science and geography.

Fun book to read on Eratosthenes
I read this book in order to write up a reading/math lesson related to circumference. I thought that the book was very informative, had terrific pictures, and was a fairly easy read. I think that the children (6th graders) would enjoy reading it in class, if given the chance. I would have liked if the book went over, in more detail, how he determined the equation. (The children tend to ask how he got it!) It would have been useful to know the equation he used, but it does not matter because one's lesson can be modified to use the information provided in the book. I tied in the reading to a circumference lesson and had the children find the circumference of the earth.
Overall, this is a terrific book. I thought that it was a fun read, and is a great teaser when going into a circumference lesson.

Everything you could want in a children's book
This wonderfully illustrated story of the Greek Mathematician/Astronomer/Scientist Eratosthenes is one of my children's favorites. The colorful pictures give them a glimpse into 'another world' (Ancient Greece) while the engaging text provides excellent historical and scientific information.
Highly recommended for kids and their parents too!

Great for Middle School
As a sixth-grade Social Studies teacher I needed ways to integrate other subject areas into my curriculum. I came across this book while researching for a unit on Ancient Greece. The book has pictures that are vivid and exciting and follow young Eratosthenes throughout his life until the time in which he "measured the Earth" . My students will find its words complex enough to keep them interested but simplistic enough to follow along. This can be integrated well with math lessons dealing with angles and circumference. I found the book to be extremely enjoyable.

An inspiring story of the efforts of an ancient scientist
Over two thousands years ago a man named Eratosthenes figured out the circumference of the earth using a method that involved camels and light shining straight down into a well at midday. This "crude" method was off by less than 200 miles when compared to the most accurate measurements of today. Kathryn Lasky reports that while Eratosthenes wrote numerous volumes on geography, the constellations, history and comedy, he left behind no personal records of any kind. As a result, Lasky engages in trying to "responsibly imagine based on what we already know." Working from what we know about the time and places in which he lived, Lasky creates a compelling portrait of Eratosthenes as a child constantly asking questions who turns into a man interested in understanding so many things about the universe in which he lives that he was nicknamed Pentathlos, a reference to the athletes who competed in five different events in recognition of the fact Eratosthenes knew a lot about so many different things. It was after he was appointed the head librarian at the great library in Alexandria that Eratosthenes became consumed with the idea of determining the size of the earth. Lasky recreates the process by which the librarian determined his calculation, using the example of a grapefruit as the basis metaphor. Step by step she explains how the librarian determined the distance from Alexandria to Syene, a city in southern Egypt, despite the problem presented by camels.

Now, I have not had to sit in a math class since I was a freshman in high school and I took Life Through the Microscope and Ecology rather than have to dissect frogs in Biology, so math and science are not exactly my strong suits. But if I can understand how Eratosthenes arrived at his calculation then most school children in this country should be able to follow the idea as well. The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes perfectly compliment the text (I thought they were pastels but there are acrylics done on two-play museum board). Young readers will be captivated by the way Eratosthenes solved his problem and will learn about the educational system for young Greek boys that existed at that time. It should be easy for teachers and students to extend the example of Eratosthenes to any other famous scientist being studied in class from Galileo to Einstein. Even if young readers do not want to be scientists, or even librarians, after reading this book, I would not be surprised if they practice being bematists for a while (surveyors trained to walk with equal steps). In her afterword, Lasky explains how Columbus would have had smoother sailing on his voyage of discovery if he had relied more on the calculations of Eratosthenes. "The Librarian Who Measured the Earth" is an excellent mix of history and science, served up with some reasonable biographical speculations. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein-but what exactly did he do? How much do kids really know about Albert Einstein besides the funny hair and genius label? For instance, do they know that he was expelled from school as a kid? Finally, here's the story of Albert Einstein's life, told in a fun, engaging way that clearly explores the world he lived in and changed. ... Read more

Book Description

The innovative YogaKids(r) program offers more than just poses: It blends traditional yoga and its benefits with new theories of multiple learning styles in a comprehensive, imaginative, and playful approach to education.

The best-selling YogaKids(r) video (a Parent's Choice award winner) has been helping kids-and their parents-discover the pleasures and benefits of yoga for more than seven years. With this book, Marsha Wenig's fun and child-friendly course is expanded and enriched for parents, teachers, and caregivers.

YogaKids(r) presents more than 50 carefully selected poses, in clear, easy-to-follow, color photographs, paired with special activities that stimulate children's verbal, spatial, and artistic skills. The book includes special yoga routines to cover a multitude of common situations, such as calming down, getting ready for a test, or even riding in a car, as well as help for children with special needs. Parents learn the physical and emotional benefits of each pose; children discover that learning is fun, that exercise feels good, and that taking care of their bodies is easy. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Wonderful Resource for Children and their Parents
I may be slightly prejudiced as I have studied with Marsha Wenig and am certified in her educational approach. However, I am delighted with this colorful, child-friendly book. I intend to offer it in all my children's classes so students can continue exploring yoga at home. Not just a book of poses, the book includes fun-filled facts related to the 14 elements that are integrated in all YogaKids classes: From ecological echoes such as how butterflies use their antennae to laughing language: six different sounds Yogakids "lions" make, this book makes yoga fun and removes any of the mystique behind it. Parents, teachers, and librarians can use the many resources found in the back of the book such as music to set mood and accompany poses and the book list of suggested "Reading Comes Alive with Yoga" selections. Wenig brings her expertise as a yoga practitioner, teacher, mom, and innovative program developer to make this a "must have" book for all families with children who need to get up off the couch and move! From special needs (asthma, developmental delays, sensory integration, stiffness and postural deficits, etc.), if you can't get your child to a YogaKids class, this fun book is the next best thing!

Finally, one yoga book children and adults can appreciate!
This is the most comprehensive and beautiful children's yoga book available today(and I have read every other kids yoga book found on amazon.com), BUT it doesn't matter what I think. See for yourself, the expression of awe on children's faces as they look through this joyful book and become inspired by their peers. If the child has previously taken a yoga class or seen the YogaKids video the effect is even more powerful. It is truly a lovely book that helps children (and adults) learn more about the relationship between our mind and body; to use our imagination by 'playing' yoga; and to teach respect for and strengthen the bonds between each other and all other living things.

Best kids yoga book out there!
great photos - easy instructions - kid friendly games and activites.

this is a must have to introduce yoga and it's life-long benefits.

Best Yoga Book For Kids yet !
As I am in the process of studying to teach yoga, this IS the best teacher book I've seen yet to teaching children the wonderful practice of yoga. Thanks Marsha.

Amazing Holistic Approach for Children
The fullness of this book with its approach of the multiple intelligence holistic view of how we all....not only children...can learn in fun ways is awesome. The book is visually appealing and the information is easily accessed when researching ideas. It does not surprise me that the book meets so many needs in such a creative manner, as my experience with YogaKids has been and continues to be such a creative and encouraging journey. Thank you Marsha for once again inspiring the work that is so helpful to children and society at large. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ever wonder what a tardigrade might have looked like? Or what tree wetas eat? Now you can find out, because this great nature encyclopedia answers these questions and a jillion more. Organized into sections ("The Natural World," "How Living Things Work," "Ecology," "Classification," "Plants," and "Animals"), the Nature Encyclopedia is a perfect reference for anyone curious about organisms, ecosystems, and the scientists who study them.It's full of amazing color photos and easy-to-understand illustrations and diagrams so you can feel confident when you say, "Look, there's a Periplaneta americana, otherwise known as an American cockroach!Say, did you know they evolved long before humans?" We love this encyclopedia, and its companion book, The DK Science Encyclopedia, which covers the nonliving world with excellent information on space, rocks, electricity, and more.(Ages 9 to 12) --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rekindling Our Respect for Nature!
This book has succeeded in describing the great diversity of life on earth in such an interesting way with colorful photographs and new information that one can't help but stand in awe of our great planet.The chapters discuss : How living things work,ecology, classification, plants and animals. I was afraid that the animal section in this book would be a repetition of DK's Animal Encyclopedia, but thankfully it wasn't, I found new information everytime. For those who are not familiar with DK's encyclopedias one should know that the superior photography and layout of these books really captivate children's attention and fascination with this world.

love of nature grows the more we know
I am delighted with this encyclopedia which I ordered as a present for my six year old. This handsome book has beautiful pictures and lots of information covering many aspects of nature. Attractive and accessible, it provides great rewards for the young reader whose love and respect of nature will grow as their knowledge expands. I expect it to be used in greater depth as my daughter grows older. For now, she loves to open it up and see what she finds - and becomes engaged immediately. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

The complete home-study program to help children practice the essential math skills they learn in school. Matches the math curriculum so your children will reach their full potential in school -- and on important standardized tests! The successful way to improve your child's math. These workbooks have been compiled and tested by a team of math experts to increase your child's confidence, enjoyment, and success at school. Second Grade: Provides practice at all the major topics for Grade 2 with emphasis on addition and subtraction of larger numbers. Includes a review of Grade 1 topics and a preview of topics in Grade 3. Includes Times Tables practice. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I want my money back
My son finished the first grade book within two months, and he wanted to do more math homework. So I bought this book and third grade book for him. To my surprise, I found that about 1/3 of the material are copies from the 1st grader book, and another 1/3 of pages are copies from the 3rd grader book. We both were very disappointed. (...)

Excellent Resource
My daughter is ahead of her class and needed to be challenged, by page 7 we found this book definitely a useful learning tool. It does NOT review 1st grade. I find it frustrating to purchase an age level book and have half of it be just stuff they have already covered. This IS NOT the case. Would definitely be a great book for home schooled children and look forward to purchasing the next levels.

good math review book
I used this book to review second grade over the summer after finding my daughter had large gaps in her math education. My daughter loved placing the stars included in the workbookon each completed page. The math problem pages kept her interested because of how the problems were related to one another. For instance, on one line there were several ways of getting to the number 7 imbedded in two digit calculations. The book covers the major areas of math education.

Introducing Math to 7-8 year olds
The Math Made Easy series is a complete home-study program to help your child practice the essential math skills they need in each grade. This workbook will provide practice for all the major topics for Grade 2 with an emphasis on the addition and subtraction of larger numbers.

You will also find a review of Grade 1 topics and a preview of the topics in the Grade 3 workbook. This is when they introduce Times Tables Practice.

A progress chart can be found at the start of the book and includes stars you can stick in the correct box that corresponds with the completed lessons.

The "Answer Section with Parents' Notes provides answers to all the activities in the book. These pages enable you to mark your children's work. There is a visual of each page and notes to help you explain the common errors and problems. Where appropriate, they indicate the type of practice needed to ensure that your children understand where and how they have made errors.

Contents:

Counting by 1s, 2s, 10s and 100s
Odd and Even
Reading and Writing larger numbers
More and Less
Fact Families
Fractions
Changing amounts into dollars and cents
Adding and Subtracting
Telling Time
Tally charts and Bar graphs
Sorting 2-dimensional shapes
Equations
Location on a grid and Placing on a grid
Reading a Calendar
Venn Diagrams
Sorting 3-dimensional shapes
Money and Measurement Problems
Symmetry
Solving Real-life problems
Times Tables

Includes a Certificate your child will love hanging on the refrigerator. ;) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A recommendation from an algebra teacher!
For the last three or four years, I have recommended this book to my students' parents. I teach algebra (grade 8) and pre-algebra (grades 7 and 8) and have found that his book is written in a non-threatening, easy to understand manner. It is a perfectly wonderful reference book. Math is scary enough...this book demystifies algebra. Love it!

Algebra to Go
This is the best reference handbook that parents and teachers will fine it useful for students. Algebra to Go, "demystifies algebra for students in 8 grades and up by explaining key and often complex math topics in a way that's clear, friendly, and understandable". It is also a great refresher for parents who may have forgotten a thing or two about Algebra.. ... Read more

Book Description

How does a tiny acorn grow into an enormous oak tree? At one time, the tree in your backyard could fit into your pocket! Look inside to learn the simple steps for turning a packet of seeds into you own garden.

How does a tiny acorn grow into an enormous oak tree? At one time, the tree in your backyard could have fit into your pocket! Look inside to learn the simple steps for turning a packet of seeds into your own garden. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My five year old enjoyed this book
We enjoy the "Let's - Read - & - Find - Out" series of books. This one is a good addition, explaining seeds on my five year old son's level of understanding . Something that many adult writers of childrens' science books sometimes aren't very good at getting across. It is in my child's library at school.

The books in this series are informative and interesting for their target audiences. The illustrations are well done and add to understanding the process being described. They make it easier to follow for kids.

Life Springing Forth.
This book should have been more appropriately titled HOW TO WATCH A SEED GROW. Instead of discussing the various stages of development and explaining what happens, the book is basically an extended science project explaining how students can watch a seed grow into a plant. The book talks about the different stages, but only discusses what the planted beans should look like in those stages, not really explaining what is happening or why. Nevertheless, the book does outline a good science project for younger children, but isn't much as a book to read to kids.

A Kids First Science Book
This is one very good science book. If you would like to do a seed project then this is a good guide to lots of young peoples questions about plants. It has colorful illustrations about what is happening with your project. It is written in detail, but not like a boring high school science textbook that goes on, and on, and on about one thing, giving every detail that there is. So what I'm trying to say is that this is a good book. ... Read more

Book Description

What do you do when your life goes from righter than right to a million miles beyond wrong?

1. Try to scare away the new neighbors with signs and posters that warn things like "Typhoons Known to Occur Here -- Water Rats Abound."
2. Avoid eye contact and word contact, with Mama and Daddy in particular.
3. Stay away from the orchard and the brook and the old tree and anything else that reminds you of how good things used to be.
4. Put together the best plan you've ever created to get things back to just-about-perfect again.

Book Description

A delightfully illustrated, informative beginner's guide to locating and identifying constellations in the northern hemisphere, with an extensive index, glossary, and time table for sky viewing. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The 'essential' first book on the stars
H. A. Rey's classic "Find the Constellations" ranks among the clearest, most intuitive books on stargazing in print and is a must for any young person's personal library. Rey, using his wonderful talents as an illustrator and storyteller masterfully presents the stars in a simple to digest format, explaining the essentials one needs to know in order to appreciate and understand the night sky. Rey also adds the myths that gave the constellations their place in our culture and creates a book that provides countless hours of learning and enjoyment.

Every adult should give their children or their favorite niece or nephew a copy of this book and enjoy with them tender nights discovering the wonders of the heavens.

The "essential" first book on the constellations
H. A. Rey's classic "Find the Constellations" ranks among the clearest, most intuitive books on stargazing in print and is a must for any young person's personal library. Rey, using his wonderful talents as an illustrator and storyteller masterfully presents the stars in a simple to digest format, explaining the essentials one needs to know in order to appreciate and understand the night sky. Rey also adds the myths that gave the constellations their place in our culture and creates a book that provides countless hours of learning and enjoyment.

Every adult should give their children or their favorite niece or nephew a copy of this book and enjoy with them tender nights discovering the wonders of the heavens.

teach this unto thy children
I've long been a fan of Rey's (of Curious George fame) The Stars, a New Way to See them, but that is a bit more complex and geared towards adults and advanced students. This book is ideal for children and parents alike because Rey breaks down the major constellations one by one and draws them so they look like real pictures, not like those horrible drawings in the NY Times and other publications. His lion looks like a lion! The text is very basic, easy to follow and explains the basic astro stuff like stars, planets, magnitudes, but not much more. The major reason to buy this book if you already have his other book is for the handy sky charts. Unlike his more advanced book which has an entire sky map, this book as more handy "sky view" charts which are an easier way to learn the night sky. Another winner from H.A. Rey that anyone can profit from if interested in learning the stars!

It's the Greatest!
I'm a doc with over 3 years of post-doc training and I can't think of a single science text which is more enjoyable to read. Even after 16 years of astronomical observation, I still think of the constellations as Rey drew them (they are easier to remember), and I still get this text out when I want to show someone how to enjoy astronomy. If all science writers were like Mr Rey, we wouldn't be too worried about scientific illiteracy in this country. Along with its twin, The Stars, it stands alone. This treasure is "for kids from one to ninety-two."

Useful crumb-cruncher book!
This was one of my favorite books as a child, and I think the sticking power comes from two ares. First, this book is wonderfully illustrated by H. A. Rey of "Curious George" fame. Second, the book is useful--it can be used every night, with the one qualifier being that the sky must be clear.

Being a city boy (San Francisco Bay Ares), the light pollution dround out the lesser magnitude stars, so what I saw in the sky matched up with what I saw in the book.

I never went anywhere with astronomy, but it is a fun hobbie, and you can impress people with the knowledge of the stars. This book makes you look smarter than you really are, and isn't that what life is about? ... Read more

Book Description

Written for students of introductory physics, this best-selling text offers students an upbeat, non-threatening overview of the discipline which focuses on concepts and critical thinking rather than number-crunching. It presents physics in a language students can comprehend, using analogies and mental imagery based on real world situations. Mathematical equations, formulas, and calculations appear as a footnote on the page to reference and supplement chapter concepts and help students see the connection between math and science. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Well Written
I took freshman physics in college. I picked up this book as a bit of a review. It is well worth reading. It is pitched at a level that a 12 year old could understand, but contains physics that would educate and entertain adults. I recommend getting the accompanying work book as well. There are concept questions and math questions. The math questions at the end of the chapters require knowledge of arithmetic ( not heavy algebra or calculus ).

I recommend this book for those that just like to read educational material for fun.... this is a light enough read to allow that. I also recommend this book for science students that want to get the concepts of physics down, before they get bogged down in the math. It makes your higher level physics book much easier to read.

If you dont get this book, you are really missin out on a good thing.

Katherine
PS yes real girls do read physics

"Hand-waving" Physics
Two years ago, my daughter took a high-school physics course based on this book. She is mathematically able and found the whole approach extremely frustrating. The fact is that much of modern mathematics -- differential calculus is a prime example -- was developed specifically so that physicists could articulate their ideas. The "conceptual" approach may be OK for pop-science TV shows, but it is worse that useless as an education for anyone who wants to pursue a career in engineering or science. Now entering 12th grade, my daughter is faced with a major catch-up exercise if she wants to get into a worthwhile engineering program at college. Her school doesn't offer AP Physics, largely because the "conceptual" approach they started out with doesn't adequately prepare students to move to AP level. So she is spending a big chunk of time this summer on a distance-learning course that actually presents physics as a mathematical science, which is what it is. Quite honestly, I think this book should be titled "Armchair Physics" or "Physics for People who Don't Really Care about Physics" -- it should certainly not be presented as a serious attempt to teach a scientific subject.

Want to teach yourself physics?
I would imagine that the answer to my subject heading is, for most people, NO! But for me it was YES!, as I'd never had a physics class, and it was essential, for research that I am conducting, that I have slightly more than an elementary grasp of physics. I turned to this book, and am glad that I did.

This book, thankfully, is written in conceptual terms. There are few equations - because equations are necessary in science - but you don't need to know calculus or trigonometry to read this book and walk away with a solid foundation.

The author has a clear and easy tone about his writing, and breaks complex concepts down into their simple building blocks so that a typical layperson can understand. I know - because I'm as typical a layperson as they come regarding the sciences.

I can't recommend this highly enough.

Fiziks
We all know that Physics is a tough sport. But Paul Hewitt does a marvelous job describing complex issues in fairly easy to comprehend terms (not touching at all on calculations). This book also covers a wide spectrum of information about the world, from the intricate properties of electrons to color to Newton's laws of motion. I keep waiting for the price of this book to go down so I can buy it again to keep as a reference (I had used it with a college course previous). Worth having if you're one of those who loves reading about how things work.

The accompanying workbook is nice, but only if you're going to be quizzed on this sort of stuff. Other than that, it isn't that great a deal.

Excellent Service
I absolutely loved the service provided. I received the books 10 days early and in mint condition!!! Excellent job. ... Read more

Book Description

"Clear bright illustrations show all the cars of a train bringing the reader the excitement of movement through day and night, country and city."--Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Choo Choo Boogaloo. A classic for your bookshelf!
My son's first word was "car". The word "train" was not far behind. He loves this book. He has learned the types of train cars and colors from reading this simple and elegant book (board book version). It is a must have for all children who love trains. Mr. Crew's book truck is terrific but nowhere near as colorful and as filled with speed as this book. Highly recommended!

Great Children's Book
My son got this book for Christmas, because I was so tired of hauling it back and forth to and from the library. There's something about the structure of the book that just mesmerizes him--I think it might be the transition from knowledge and understanding of colors and the names of the cars, to movement of the train through the countryside. It may be a boy thing--he's never cared for the highly verbal books his sister enjoyed so much, but wants this book over and over and over and over. One bonus is that it's relatively short, and appealing enough that I don't mind how often I've had to read it. I highly recommend this book, particularly for parents of preschool boys.

PERFECT
This book is the greatest children's book ever created - it was always my favourite. Simple and elegant images tell the story of the freight train. Highly recommended!

A great starter book
My three year old nephew loves "Freight Train"--it's simple enough that he can "read" it--he's learned the names of the different cars and it reinforces color recognition. The illustrations are big and bold and colorful. A winner!

A cornucopia of visual images
Writing a review for of a children's picture book is, as a rule, somewhat difficult. The simpler the text, the harder it is to come up with something new and original to say. I just read Donald Crews's "Freight Train" because it is widely hailed as a good book for children. The story follows a freight train (after carefully identifying each and every car) driving through hill and dale. Each car has a different color, following the classic Roy G. Biv configuration, culminating with the impressive black steam engine. Viscerally, I liked the detail Crews took in illustrating the page presenting this impressive piece of machinery. Every bolt and curve is outlined in a stately violet tone. Meanwhile, black steam created by coal pours and gushes from the train. This is a book about just how impressive the industrial age really is. The speed of the train is praised to no end, colored cars blurring as the engine picks up speed. Going through cities the rainbow carriages stand out against the stately repetitive buildings on the street. For those children entranced by trains (thank-you, Thomas the Tank Engine, et. al), this book encapsulates everything they might want. Reading it over and over again they'll enjoy the colors and train's increase in speed. Reading it over and over again YOU will enjoy the artist's use of color and form, especially taking pleasure in such scenes as the train's blurred deep tones as it disappears into a tunnel. I'll be honest. I've read more interesting books in my day, and if you are purchasing this book for children that couldn't care less about trains, they may not take to this particular story. But there is something to be said for beauty in all its forms. Even, the coal-burning mechanical kind. ... Read more