[.uk] The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia (ISBN 0753452693)

Pretty book, marginally acceptable science, appalling writing:
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.

Homeschoolers need this book:
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.

Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia:
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.

Beautifully illustrated and a good reference book:
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.

Like the layout:
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.