The Beast in You!: Activities & Questions to Explore Evolution (Kaleidoscope Kids Books (Williamson Publishing)) [Paperback]

Marc McCutcheon (Author), Cindy Blobaum (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Kaleidoscope Kids Books (Williamson Publishing)

Flex your 'claws' and your mind as you explore the secrets (and the science!) of the family of man, up close and personal. Join in the fun as you journey way, way back in time. Compare the then-and-now of the science of human evolution in kid-fascinating, hands-on activities that will keep you grinning.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-A fascinating and entertaining introduction. McCutcheon opens with "Spot the Animal!," which covers "beastly vestiges" in humans (canines, claws, tailbone, goose bumps) in a manner that will have readers alternately marveling, questioning, and giggling. He discusses the science of evolution, our early ancestors, and their development. Throughout the book, the author invites readers to extend their information through further questioning and observations of the world around them. Although his friendly, humorous style occasionally borders on cutesy, ("If you were out to lunch, you became lunch"), students will likely enjoy the puns and silly humor. McCutcheon provides opposing views represented by the Bible and science texts. He maintains that "Most of us need science and faith in our lives-." Black-and-white cartoons add humor to this entertaining presentation.
Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

" ... fascinating and entertaining ... will have readers alternately marveling, questioning, and giggling." -- School Library Journal

" ... fills a pressing need in today's classroom curriculums. Ideal for home schoolers!" -- Children's Bookwatch

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Publishing Company (VT) (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593368
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593368
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #500,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Fascinating, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beast in You!: Activities & Questions to Explore Evolution (Kaleidoscope Kids Books (Williamson Publishing)) (Paperback)

I thought this book presented the subject of evolution in an even-handed, thought provoking and entertaining fashion. By pointing out our "beastly vestiges," (tailbones, goose bumps, canines) the author illustrates the principles of evolution in a way that involves the reader and promotes further questioning. I also like the fact that the author did not ignore differing viewpoints such as creationism.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very clear explanations, nice humor, October 25, 2005

By 

A. Scott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beast in You!: Activities & Questions to Explore Evolution (Kaleidoscope Kids Books (Williamson Publishing)) (Paperback)

I was impressed with the clarity of explanations in the text of this book. Evolution is a complicated process to convey to young people, and this book has done a great job. The discussion of vestiges of our ancestors (hair, canines...) was fascinating to my kids and to me.

The humor was clever without being over-the-top. Great choice for quite a long age-range. I do agree with the 7-14 guide.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars activities and examinations to supplement evolution studies, August 26, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beast in You!: Activities & Questions to Explore Evolution (Kaleidoscope Kids Books (Williamson Publishing)) (Paperback)

With the right amount of parent involvement this is probably good for starting at preschool age and going up to about 14, the older kids working more on their own. This is definitely an activity book more than an informational book. They do bring up the "evolution controversy" and they go a step further than the Silverstein's Evolution Book in trying to make it compatible with those who might have more exposure to creation, with statements like "Most of us need science and faith in our lives to care for one another and for our earth." or commenting that the bible "has guided millions of people toward being better human beings and living better lives" this is my least favorite thing about the book. In order to lessen the ruffling of Christian feathers, by specifically mentioning the bible and how it makes them better human beings, they took a little poke at all those people who do not follow the bible, because they either believe the teachings of another religion or because they do not believe at all. I don't really feel a "science" book should be reassuring people that they can be true to their faith and still accept certain scientific principles. Leaders of their faith should do so if they choose to, or people with those worries can look for books under religion and spirituality to deal with such concerns.