Smithsonian Knowledge Encyclopedia

Smithsonian Knowledge Encyclopedia
Published at DK Canada

About the book

Created in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution and with the latest CGI technology, the Knowledge Encyclopedia is a bold new approach to family reference using 3-D rendered images to explore the wonders of the world in unprecedented detail.

Divided into six chapters — Space, Earth, Nature, Human Body, Science & Technology, and History & Culture, plus a reference section — a wide range of topics come to life. Illustrated with fascinating facts, maps, timelines, and graphics, the Knowledge Encyclopedia makes complex subjects easy to understand and is the perfect resource for kids, whether to help with homework or to pique their curiosity.

My Thoughts

This book is a fabulous visual reference that will open up your mind and encourage you to learn more every day.  Through these pages you will discover, see, journey and investigate from the comfort of your home.   I strongly believe that we need to encourage kids to explore and discover how things work in life and this book is one way of doing it.  The book will uncover the marvels of space, Earth, nature, the human body, science and history with fabulous computer-generated artworks and great information as well. 

Through the pages of this book you will be brought close-up and personal with numerous things – from the inside of termite city to the inside of your ears.   The book is well designed and will grasp your attention on a specific subject.   I wouldn’t be surprised if your kid will bring facts at the table during supper time after reading it.

Let’s look at the table of contents for a minute.

• Space: The Universe and Space Exploration
• Earth: Planet Earth, Tectonic Earth, Earth’s Resources, Weather, Shaping the Land, Earth’s Oceans
• Nature: How Life Began, The Living World, Invertebrates, Vertebrates, Survival Secrets
• Human Body: Body Basics, Fueling the Body, In Control, Life Cycle
• Science: Matter, Forces, Energy, Electronics
• History: The Ancient World, The Medieval World, The Age of Discovery, The Modern World

As you can see the book will cover many subjects but with detailed information.   It is a great visual encyclopedia to have at home when one child comes and ask a specific questions on a subject like how does a tsunami happen which is explained at pages 52 and 53 of the book.

I strongly believe that this book could be a wonderful addition within a homeschool context as it will present numerous detailed information to the reader.  For example, our family has recently embarked on a three weeks journey to discover weather with other homeschooling families as part of our co-op.   This week, we learned more about wind and how the hot/cot front can affect the weather.  We also learned more about tornadoes and hurricanes.   In this fabulous book, I had a great illustration how on the hot and cold front journey within an hurricane and I showed it to the kids when they came to my learning station.   I find that nothing is better illustrated when you have a picture under your eyes.     The book will also allow you to witness the gladiator fighting in the Roman Coliseum (perfect for history lessons), understand how a volcano erupts (Earth science), and check out the heart of a nuclear-powered submarine (technology lesson).  These are just a fraction of the things you can learn in the book.

Now, for my Christian friends, let me also warm you that the book as fabulous as it is also contains information about the Big Bang, evolution and billions of years.  But as a responsible Christian mom who homeschool my kids, I strongly believe it is important to expose your kids to both side of science – intelligent design vs. evolution – because it will better prepare them to higher level of education.   My kids know that both theories exists and believe that God created the world and everything in it.   But let’s face it, preparing our kids to be able to defend their belief is as important as teaching them math and English grammar.  

Reading is a skill that takes practice and one thing that I have discover through the years is that if a child has a book that highly interest him/her then he/she is more willing to read it.   Kids are like sponges and when something interest them they enjoy learning.  I think this book has the potential in interesting any kid out there because of the wide variety of information contained in it.   This Christmas, on top of purchasing the desired toy, consider getting a book as well to encourage your child to read more.  And since this book is packed with interesting subjects and information why not checking it out next time you are at the bookstore.  I’m sure you will find that the Smithsonian Knowledge Encyclopedia would make a great Christmas gift for a child in your life.

The Smithsonian Knowledge Encyclopedia is available at your favourite bookstore, even on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned title for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.