We didn't try this book 1 initially; we had bought the newer version which at the time was Book 2
Lollipop Logic, Book 2 (Grades K-2). After we finished book 2, I really wished that the author had created more of these books. I would have preferred one 50-page book for each age group (e.g. K, 1st, 2nd, etc.). The enjoyment and the learning that this book created with a fun environment prompted me to order book 1 right away.
While some mention that book 1 is pretty easy, there are a couple more difficult areas in the book for deduction and critical analysis that I suspect most preK's and K's would certainly not get without parents help. I also disagree with the reviews that say this is better suited for preschoolers. I think it is age appropriate for most K and 1st graders, and some 2nd graders. The only area that might be pushing 2nd grade with a challenge is the critical analysis. Sadly, critical analysis was only 3 pages (one problem/page). I would have loved to see 50 pages of these, they were very fun puzzles to try to solve. These critical analysis exercises are at the very end of the book. Please NOTE: I did find an error in the answer section for lesson 51 (detailed later).
Yes, this book 1 was still fun and it kept my son's attention. Yes, we got through it in only a few sittings. However, it was very similar in structure to book 2, and we preferred Book 2.
The first 8 pages are ordering SEQUENCES (i.e. cubes being stacked, heart puzzle being assembled, fruit being picked from a tree, birds hatching in a nest, pumpkin being carved, snowman being built, glasses being filled, cookies being eaten). Children are to number the order of the sequence from 1st to 6th.
The next 8 pages are RELATIONSHIPS. The first 4 pages are finding the best similar relationships where you are given twenty exercises (5 per page) - each with one picture object, then you pick from 3 other adjacent pictures which one has the closest relationship to the picture given. Example, one picture object is a maibox : pick either scissor, letter, or valentines. Next, there are 3 more pages of relationships with a box containing multiple objects that all have a relationship. Below the box there are 10 different objects that you must circle the objects that might belong with the objects in the box, and X the objects that do not share a relationship.
The next 8 pages are ANALOGIES. She gives you 4 - 5 exercises per page. In the first few pages there are 5 exercises per page, each with 2 objects that have a relationship, then you get a different object that has a similar relationship to one of three objects shown. You must pick one of the 3 objects that best suites the object with a similar relationship as the first 2 objects shown. Example, a harp and a trumpet are in the relationship box. To it's right is a soccer ball which is like what for the next 3 choices to it's right: (a - football, b - mittens, or c - sheep). Answer: a - football which is the same type of object Another example is a piggy bank and a penny are in the box to the left. On the right is a pillow which is like: (a - jack-in-the-box, b - feather, c - magnifying glass). Answer: b - feather is inside a pillow. Other pages have 4 exercises and the relationship is shown in a slightly different way, but the concepts are similar to the initial pages described above. Overall, the author does an outstanding job of changing the kinds of relationships of the various objects (i.e. type of object, size of object, pattern of object, use of object, etc.) that are used throughout all the pages.
The next 8 pages are for DEDUCTION where I suspect the author is expecting most 1st and 2nd graders to read the detailed paragraph describing the scene, and characters. Next, with 3 sentence clues given about the 4 objects and the 4 characters, the child must deduce what the relationship of each of the characters is to each of the 4 objects shown matching them based upon the clues.
The next 8 pages are PATTERN DECODING. Each page has 8 pattern sets. You must align one of 5 objects given on the far right to the 5 pattern sets on the page that it belongs as the next object in the particular pattern set.
The next 9 pages are INFERENCE with varied exercises. The first few excercises will be a complete drawing with a small portion missing. The child must match the missing portion with the proper picture. A couple are puzzle pieces scattered on the page. You must determine what the drawing is. A few more pages are just matching the pictures that go together. Finally, a few pages provide several partial pictures of objects and you must identify what they are.
Lastly, only 3 pages of CRITICAL ANALYSIS. Simply not enough :) One problem, one problem's answers were not correct for Lesson 51. The author provides 3 pictures of what constitutes an Ogg, then there are 3 pictures for what is not an Ogg. Then you pick from 6 pictures what are Oggs. The answer states 1, 2 and 6 are Oggs. I believe the correct answer is only 2 and 6 are Oggs. Why? If you make comparisons for Oggs and not Oggs, you see that Oggs all have tails, nose and ears where Oggs do not. Therefore, picture 1 is missing a nose, so it cannot be an Ogg. The other 2 examples were accurate - Lesson 50 and Lesson 52. In lesson 50 there are Triops. When making comparisons of Triops and non-Triops, it can be seen that Triops have one or more of the same shape inside itself with solid or hollow fill. In Lesson 52 there are Tiffs. When making comparisons between Tiffs and non-Tiffs, it can be seen that Tiffs must have 3 eyes and no body between head and legs. These 2 problems were very clear and correctly reported in the answer section.
Update: 9/3/2012 - There is a book 3 which I am ordering today
Lollipop Logic, Book 3 (Grades K-2). We started going through this book 1 with our youngest who just entered Kindergarten this year, and he likes it very much. While neither of my children scored perfectly when doing this book independently as Kindergartners, it did help teach them how to look at the details, and analyze based on criteria which may include type groupings, shapes, positions (inside, outside, up, down), direction (left, right, up, down), sizes, pattern (fill or detail), and more. I don't think most children in the earlier age group (i.e. K, and 1st) which these books target will analyze with so much distinction of details initially to get all the problems correct. I respectfully disagree with some of the other reviews that say this is better suited for preschoolers. Possibly gifted preschoolers, or those whose parents are assisting, but independent work for a preschooler - no way, not for the normal child in America! Both my kids are very advanced for their age, but probably not gifted. For example, the youngest (age 5) is a solid grade level ahead in both, math, and English (reading, writing and spelling) - he started reading English at age 3.75. At 5 he can do 2 digit addition and subtraction. He also knows Spanish and Thai. The oldest child (age 6) is 4 grade levels ahead in both reading and math, and he knows Spanish, Chinese, and Thai. He could read at age 2.2 years. Before he was 3 years of age he could read 60 page Dr. Suess books in 10 minutes or less. As a Kindergartner, he could read 85 words/minute with 99.9% accuracy according to the initial tests given by the school. Both children play 2 musical different instruments (Piano/Drums, and Piano/Guitar). So, you get a real sense that both my kids are very high achievers and quick learners, but this book had it's challenges for them where they missed several questions as Kindergartners.
While many 2nd graders might find this book too easy, I am sure that most younger children (ages 4,5, or 6) will have some real challenges which will help teach them to consider a large range of potential relationships to consider, or not, based on the criteria of the questions, and the examples given. Yes, some exercises initially are easy, but I think that helps set the hook for the child to keep working onward to do more problems since there is no fear initially. If the author put the critical analysis section first, many children would have a brain shutdown - turned off due to the difficulty of the material, and that would be unfortunate. Hence, the author put them last. These are great books for exposing children to a higher level of detailed analysis, and I am grateful to the author for her creativity to help young minds discern more!
Hopefully, you will find these books as stimulating and helpful as we did. For the price, I think you will find it worthwhile experience in your child's learning.
