Monday, July 7, 2014

Book Review - TIME for Kids Big Book of When


TIME For Kids Big Book of When: 801 Facts Kids want to Know (Time for Kids Big Books) 

By: Editors of TIME for Kids Magazine
Publisher: Time For Kids
Publication Date: May 2014
ISBN: 978-1618930439
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: July 5, 2014

You've probably heard of those 101 Dalmatians or, if you're old enough, even those 76 trombones and the big parade. No matter what age you are there are plenty of wow facts in this book that even big kids will enjoy. If you have a little time on your hands (pun intended) and want to learn all kinds of fun and funky facts you'll be mesmerized by Time's Big Book of When, a book filled with 801 facts. There are also loads of great activities to try out. Ever want to know how a rocket works? There's this really cool activity that will help you understand the science behind it. You only have to gather up a few basic supplies, the assistance of an adult, and you're off! This eye-popping book will keep you turning the pages and you'll even learn when the Earth will end. Not to worry because you'll learn that it will take "another 5 to 7 billion years" for the sun to stop burning.

The "when" facts include the topics of time, animals, communications, flight, energy, the solar system, the digital age, food, transportation, civilizations and sports. Each question is answered on a two-page, eye-popping spread of facts. In the front youngsters will learn how to use the book, but I can almost guarantee that this page will be skipped because the inside of the book is quite enticing. A very thorough index can point the way to high interest topics or browsers will simply start flipping those pages. I'd move from page to page in a manner similar to the 'choose your own ending books,' flipping here and there. Each two-page spread glowed with excitement of one sort or another and even topics I tend to shy away from drew me in. Each one of these "When" questions could easily lend itself to becoming a stepping stone to a report. For example, as soon as I saw the question "When did the Hindenburg Explode?" and saw the pictures and diagrams, it made me want to know more. All the Willie Wonka fans are going to know when people started eating candy. If you really want to know, you'll just have to read this book!

This Big Book of When is far from boring. The layout has great kid appeal, but very few grownups would be able to pass it by without taking a look. It's not particularly hard to pick up this book and become immersed in it. I know I did just that. The layout is stunning with full-color photographs that swirl through the pages. There are sidebars galore that offer up "Fun Facts," vignettes about fascinating people who changed the world, or other interesting things that will keep young readers mesmerized. Even the most reluctant reader will be drawn into these pages. Every wonder when smartphones first went on sale? Does the Great Wall of China interest you big time? Do you ever wonder where the Mayan civilization went? If you are the curious type you'll find the answers to these questions and many, many more in this fabulously funtastic book. In the back of the book you'll find an index and a glossary that will point the way to some really interesting facts you just can't seem to live without!

Quill says: This is a funtastic book of "when" facts the young reader will love!




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