I get such a kick out of books that are stuffed with facts and interesting little tid bits. I find it funny when books like this are written with children in mind, but I, as an adult, find the books equally as entertaining and interesting. I wish they would make those kinds of books for adults. Even though they are written with kids in mind I find that a lot of the facts are things I don’t know about so I learn by reading them too.
Time for Kids has published a book called Time for Kids: Big Book of How, which is the exact type of book that I am referring to. It is geared towards children ages 9-12, however my 14 year old and myself found the facts and information really interesting too. In fact my 12 year old and 14 year old fought over the book. It makes a great book to read any time of day. My kids love to read several pages at night before they go to bed (that is when they fight over it).
The book covers just about any subject that would appeal to kids such as sports, technology, the human body and animals. Throughout the book you will find amazing pictures, drawings and diagrams. The book just does’t tell you how, it SHOWS you how things work or how to build things.
My favorite part of the book is the hands on activities and experiments that your child can do. Most you can do with supplies you have around the home. Since the book is geared towards the 8-12 age group the experiments and activities are easy enough for them to do with little or not parental assistance. As a parent I suggest overseeing them just to be on the safe side.
Things are discussed in a way that a child can understand. Even though the topics might be more complex, the words and terminology used to explain things are easy enough to understand.
There are a whopping 67 chapters and 22 sections that cover the “How to” subjects.
My son saw on the cover of the book that they had a section on “How to make a survival kit for hurricanes”. My son is OBSESSED with weather and every time we have so much as a nasty thunder storm he automatically ASSUMES it’s going to turn into a hurricane or tornado. He worries too much. LOL!
Bob Der, Editorial Director for Time for Kids said “Kids have an insatiable appetite for knowledge and endless curiosity. Following the success of BIG Book of Why, we created BIG Book of How with kids in mind. We filled the book with answers and explanations to questions in a vast number of subject areas, and presented it in fun, family-friendly way.”
I agree with him that kids do have an endless curiosity and crave knowledge and facts. Not all kids, but most do. Right now my daughter is only concerned about text messaging and her “boyfriend” (Ugh!). My son on the other hand is like a sponge. He absorbs every little tid bit of knowledge he can get. That is why books like Time for Kids: Big Book of How are ideal.
Time for Kids: Big Book of How is an ideal book to read during the dog daze of summer. It not only offers children knowledge to fill their minds so their brains don’t turn to “mush” over the summer (ha ha) but the activities and experiments found between the pages of this book also offer kids fun and educational things they can do to keep them busy. With a book like this handy the next time your child says “Mom, I’m bored. There is nothing to do”, hand them a copy of Time for Kids: Big Book of How. Tell them to look up “How to make ice cream”. I’m sure that will peak their interest. Or perhaps have them read “How to make a paper airplane” then have your children take their planes and fly them around outside and have races with them. My kids have made the paper air planes but we have yet to try to make the ice cream. That is on our “to do” list.
I think this book would also be great to refer to during the school year. I would think a teacher would appreciate it if your child came in with an experiment or activity from the book to share with the class that pertains to something they are currently learning about. This book can be referred to again and again all year long. Most of the information is timeless which means 10 years from now the information will still be correct.
Time for Kids: Big Book of How is available at many retail book locations including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Kimberly
*I received a free sample copy in order to do the review. There was no compensation. The opinion expressed are my own.
eva says
wow this looks like such a fun book to have, especially for rainy and summer days ! :]