DK First Encyclopedia,   ISBN:9780789485809

Customer Rating: 

I read this book to my daughter when she was 7, before she could really read herself. More accurately, we went through this book together, looking at the many excellent photos as I explained the diverse range of topics in some depth, thus going well beyond the actual text in the book. I think that's the best use of the book, although children reading it on their own should still enjoy it and benefit from it.

I did spot a few minor errors in the book, which I was able to correct, and I used these errors to demonstrate to my daughter that one shouldn't automatically believe everything written in books. Nevertheless, I can still recommend this book for children about 4 to 8 years old, especially since there aren't many competing books which cover this range of topics at this level with photos of this quality.

We've now moved on to One Million Things: A Visual Encyclopedia, also published DK, which likewise has excellent photos but is a much larger and more detailed children's encyclopedia. So far, it's looking very promising.

Customer Rating: 

DK is a master at laying out information in appealing yet digestible chunks for children.

For example, opening the book up at random, "Rivers and Lakes" begins with this introductory paragraph "Many rivers start as a stream or spring, high up on a moutainside. As the water flows downhil, other streams flow into it to make a river."

Then there are other paragraphs, each illustrated with 1-4 photographs, with the following headings: Waterfalls, Stages of a river, River transportation, River life, Lakes, Salty lakes, Largest Lakes, Lake Life -- all on a two page spread!

My kids loved to look through this book when they were younger. Sometimes we would go through a few pages as our "bedtime story."

Highly recommended.

Customer Rating: 

This is one of my 4 yr old's most favorite books right now. It is also a book that we like to read to the kid.

If you, like us, hear a lot of 'Why' , 'What' , 'How' from your kids, you will enjoy owning/reading this book.

Padma

Customer Rating: 

Has very good information. My 3 year old son loves this book. The colorful pictures makes it more interesting for him.

Customer Rating: 

'Mum, can you help me?' The voice at the end of the phone sounded desperate. What on earth can I do hundreds of miles away in the UK? Cautiously I said of course, if I can.
In the back ground I could hear five year old Thomas, 'Mom, why does the tiger have stripes?' My daughter sighed. 'I wish you were here then you could answer the constant stream of questions, honestly Mum, he drives me mad. All the time he wants to know stuff.'
Thomas had started 'real' school a few weeks ago and had learned to read really fast. An intelligent and curious boy, I knew it was important to feed his curiosity. Being mother to eight children, all very clever, does have its advantages and being a teacher also helps too.
The answer was simple, a children's encyclopedia. I had no idea what to look for but looking through Amazon's booklists, the DK First Encyclopedia seemed perfect. Lots of bright pictures, simple but detailed information.
A little while later my daughter called again.
'Mum the book is brilliant he doesn't need to ask so many questions about everything now.'
Detecting a note of 'but' in her voice, I questioned her.
'Mom, what does this word say?'
'See, he still asks questions, but at least we have the perfect book to look at to find the answers together, thanks Mum.'
I couldn't help laughing, Thomas wanted to run before he could walk. I'd hoped the pictures would do it but no, he wants to read it too. Still at least the questions were simpler to answer now. I know Thomas will soon be reading fluently but I am certain there will be a lot more questions yet for a busy working Mom to answer. Christopher is three, nearly time for him to start asking too, maybe Thomas will tell him. I recommend all children are treated to this encyclopeadia. It is brilliant!
A smiling Grandma in the UK.DK First Encyclopedia