Customer Reviews

Archibald Frisby (Reading Rainbow Books)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a story about a boy who likes science. There is a real joy in science and the author illustrates that joy in the activities of Archibald. Archibald's mother is concerned that her son is so wrapped up in his reading and his way of looking at things, she sends him to camp to try to be a "normal kid." She wanted him to have a good time. But, Archibald shows his Mom and the other campers that science and "having a good time" can go together. This is a book that celebrates the joy of science and is something of a rarity in books for children of this age group. I highly recommend it and think that the comments made by the "Horn Book" above are a little too harsh. A few lines of the text may have some forced rhyming. But, that doesn't lessen the value of this book. The Horn reviewers probably didn't do well in their science courses in College but did well in poetry.

Very nice book showing that science and fun can be one and the same. However, you should know that this is a rhyming picture book best suited to ages 5-7. There is only 4 lines per page in the 32 page book, so it is closer to a long poem than a story book. The rhymes are cute and funny such as: He had taken apart every kitchen appliance: they had given their lives in the interest of science. This book will be on the top of my list to give as a gift to a beginning reader.

This is a wonderful book to introduce kids to the concept of "science." I am a teacher and I used this book to explain to my Kindergarten students what science is and what we would be learning about. Even though the language was above them, they still understood the concept and were very engaged in the book.