Amazing Facts

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-In this oversized book, ``amazing facts'' are presented in a question-and-answer format. Why do clock hands turn to the right? Why does glass break so easily? How high can a flea jump? and 36 other questions are posed. Full-color illustrations cover at least three-fourths of each double-page spread; captions provide information that expands upon the one-paragraph answer or introduce a related idea. This format results in a choppy text, not only in moving from one unrelated topic to the next but also in layout-the order in which the various bits of text should be read within a single entry to give the most comprehensible answer is unclear. Boxed paragraphs entitled ``To the Parent'' simply repeat information already mentioned or offer additional information that could have been incorporated in the general text. Some of the illustrations are misleading from a scientific standpoint (for example, animated atoms ``holding hands'' to show the structure of glass and snowflakes with facial features). At times, the text is oversimplified or inaccurate (``Like all reptiles, turtles lay eggs on the land'') and avoids scientific terminology (using the term ``tiny particles'' instead of ``atoms''), but in other entries, the language is sophisticated. The inclusion of cute little cartoon toddlers with questions marks on their clothing decreases the appeal of the book to older children. Finally, the eight pages of activity sheets with boxes for children to write in make the book worthless for libraries.-Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA