"Highly Recommended"- Library Media
Connection
"The
quality that one has come to expect from World Book is evident in this encyclopedia
on all things science. Using sharp design, clear layout, and valid sources,
these volumes cover a broad survey of elementary and early middle school level
science topics. Simply and clearly written, each article has a captioned
illustration, color photograph, drawing, or diagram. Entries include terms,
definitions, inventions, notable scientific people, and corporations. There is
no master index, but each volume has its own index. A QR code is included with
many of the entries to provide videos, etc. Some of the text can be found in
the online version of World Book Kids, but this print version has additional
material plus detailed activities and experiments. What the print version
lacks in interactivity, it gains in simplicity. For collections that need
an updated science reference print source, this is the one to get." -Anna Hartle, English Teacher/Librarian,
Cincinnati Country Day School, Cincinnati, Ohio
What fun! Seven huge topics related to science (animals, human beings, plants, space, earth, matter and energy, and technology) are addressed in nine volumes. The articles are brief, but are meant to whet the appetites of middle-school-aged children and encourage them to dig deeper. Students encounter “Other articles to read include:” at the conclusion of each entry. These related articles can be found within the same volume, and can be tapped before other research tools are sought out. Full-color photographs, maps, illustrations, and diagrams accompany the entries. Along with being set off in ruled boxes, the large font and use of white space make for a very attractive and appealing presentation. Related science activities and experiments occur throughout. For example, “Energy from a lemon” is a three page activity that follows the “Battery” article in the Technology volume. An experiment entitled, “Taking your pulse” follows the “Heart” entry in the Human Beings A-L volume. These special pages also include a QR code that links to a video which would clarify the activity or experiment. World Book has produced another marvelous set that offers so much material and can promote a lot of learning. Students, parents, and teachers will appreciate it immensely when preparing for a Science Fair! To promote maximum circulation, this reviewer recommends shelving each volume according to subject, rather than in the reference section. Highly recommended for all public and school libraries serving students in grades four through eight. Ages 10-14. - Jean Elvekrog, Catholic Library World