Customer Reviews

The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

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

 

 

For homeschooling (and indeed for any child who loves to learn), there are two names to look out for: Kingfisher and Usborne. Like the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, the Science Encyclopedia forms a core study guide for homeschoolers. The book is divided into ten main sections, which gives you the option of concentrating on a broad topic, and picking out individual subjects within that topic. So there are 48 pages under 'Planet Earth' for example, and each subject is a manageable one or two pages long. That's perfect for the homeschooling family - the subjects are never too long to become tedious, but if your child wants to learn more, pick out another equally manageable subject and extend that day's science lesson a little.

I've always agreed with the adage 'a picture paints a thousand words', and the illustrations in this book are first class. Kingfisher has really invested money and effort into these pictures, and they bring to life subjects which might otherwise be difficult to grasp. Science can be difficult to teach at home, partly because it's difficult and expensive to buy apparatus, chemicals, etc. So illustrations are key to understanding what would happen if you did the experiment yourself. I'm not saying that this is a substitute for practical work, but it's the best you will get without getting hands-on.

If you DO have the equipment (and in some cases you don't need much - for resonance find a glass and a wet finger!) the pictures enhance the learning experience.

Like all encyclopedias of its type, realistically you should not expect to learn everything there is to know about the whole of science, but you really shouldn't be expecting that from a single volume. What you get here is the basic knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, and other branches of science. These are the key to an understanding of the way science works.

If you're using this book as part of the 'Well Trained Mind' homeschooling method (and if you haven't heard of it, look it up on Amazon), this will serve your children well. I've not looked at other methods, but I can't imagine that you would want to overlook the book whatever route you take.

Every 1 or 2-page subject should have your children (and you!) wanting to do further reading, which is what homeschooling is all about - giving them an appetite for learning.

I mentioned Usborne, and their Science Encyclopedia is also a quality publication, which has a 'see for yourself' section in each subject - usually a simple experiment to complement the topic. Ideally you'd use both books together (the Kingfisher is 100 pages longer and thus covers more areas), and you will by no means be disappointed with either.

I can't rate this book highly enough - as a general one-volume science book, it's hard to beat.

This is our science centerpiece book for our homeschooled grammar stage kids. The plan is: we read a couple of pages appropriate to grade level (first is biol; second is earth sci/planetary sci; third is chemistry; fourth is physical science/computer science). The kids make a timeline of major events in science history (invention of microscope; "discovery" of gravity, etc.). We then head to the library for more books on the subject (ooh, dinosaur books...). Later, it's reports or dictation (again, based on grade level) and, after a couple of weeks, on to the next topic.
This is a great science book to use as the basis of your curriculum because it's all there in one book. Rather than purchasing a different curriculum (with worksheets, etc.) for each grade, this book is used for all four years. Greatly reduces your costs!
Good book, well put-together. See Well Trained Mind for more info on homeschooling your kid.

If you're not homeschooling, this book is a great way to cement the cracks in the education your kids may be receiving. Quite frankly, it's a great way to learn stuff YOU might have missed.

Our family really enjoys the format of this book. The 10 thematic chapters seem more coherent than the old books alphabetic style. Concepts are tied together rather than merely a list of factoids. There are plenty of ways to look up information alphabetically. I have to say we much prefer this verion. Great illustrations throughout. I wish the 10 volume set was available here.

....This new one is not really an encyclopedia. Instead ofcompletely alphabetical it is alphabetical by subject, i.e.,chemistry, botony, etc., and made topics very hard to find. The 2000version also left out definitions/explanations.... I don'trecommend the 2000 version at all. Sorry. As usual the second remakeof something never seems to be as good as the first. END

I purchased this book because it is recommeneded in The Well Trained Mind. We will be using it in our home school next year. I love that it is laid out by subject area. It seems to be the perfect amount of information for elementary education. Lots of full color pictures and drawings.

I think this is an incredible book. Our grade school children like to discuss science facts at bedtime. Reading from this book opens up lots of topics for us and keeps the kids fascinated. I'm thinking of ordering more to use as gifts since the Amazon price is so reasonable and the shipping is free.

This book only gets two stars because of the gorgeousness of the pictures. The actual science content is shoddy, and the writing is horrific. Don't be fooled: Kingfisher is owned by a public school curriculum company, and it shares all the same flaws that a text book has.

Bitterly disappointing.

This is a very nice detailed encyclopedia. Filled with lots of info. Will be using with my home schooled children. Was recommended by the writer of the curriculum I am using.

The book has wonderful pictures and graphics. However - each subject is merely glanced over with little in depth coverage. It isn't very useful as a study resource unless you like to look at pictures.

We purchased this book to use as a reference for homeschooling. It is a good reference book to get a glimpse of information on many different topics. The illustrations are beautiful.

The downside to this book is that it treats evolution as a fact. Evolution is a theory that has yet to be proven. That is why I gave it only 2 stars. So if the text treats something unproven as a fact, it causes me to wonder if everything else in the book is really proven to be true.

I have no problem with evolutionary content. But I do have a problem when it is treated as fact instead of theory.