The Usborne Science Encyclopedia

After reviewing a half-dozen science curricula for my home-schooled elementary-age kids, I couldn't find one that I really liked. So I decided to design my own curriculum using this book for source material.Key things that I like: - the book is very comprehensive. It is divided into major themes (Materials, Mixtures & Compounds, Energy/Forces/Motion, Earth & Space, Light/Sound/Electricity, Plants, Animals, Human Body) that make it easy to design a curriculum around it. We have started with Plants, and love it so far (science is my kids' favorite subject); - the quality of the content is very high; - it has internet-linked images and sites so that I can easily make my own hand-outs, and expand on topics when I want to; - it suggests simple experiments to support the learning objectives; and - (as with all Usborne books) the pictures are beautiful!The hard-cover binding is good, but I'm not sure how well it will hold up for the expected 2-3 years of frequent use that it will get. But for the price, I'm still very pleased.Bottom line: Highly recommended both for homeschooling and for science-loving kids (roughly ages 6-10).

We LOVE this book! As a basic jumping-off point for our 8yo's homeschool curriculum, there is enough here to stimulate discussion, provide topics to explore with other science resources, and generally keep us grounded in the wide variety and endless possibility of science.We treat each 2-page spread as a mini-unit, and add other library books to the topic at hand, along with relevant experiments from other sources or from the net. The Quicklinks are entertaining and fun, and we've discovered several sites with thoroughly entertaining games to play--bonus! My child may very well get into the sciences as an adult, and this book will provide the grounding she really needs.

My son brought a copy of the book home from the library one day and, after thumbing through it for a minute or two, I decided to buy a copy to keep at our house. I spend a few hours a week with my kids (ages 7 and 8) reading through this book, explaining and diagramming things to help them understand a bit better. It is a bit more advanced than what they are used to, but they have learned so much from our study sessions. It has been great for them and has provided them with just what the public schools are lacking.

I have the hardcover book, and I love the its content. It has worlds of good information and great pics. The binding is another story. It lasted maybe a week with gentle usage. I guess that's to be expected with Usborne hardcover books though. This is the third one we've had that's fallen apart in no time.

I am still amazed by this book! We are able to study so many things that we would never have covered using a traditional science curriculum. This book covers so many topics you can plan a 2-3 year school curriculum using it. The internet links are awesome! You can view animated lessons to go with topics, play games, take quizzes and more!! This has added so much to our homeschool!

Good book, only issue I had with it is the information is too brief. Great as a starting point for researching more in depth info. Love the links though. I can't say to many bad things, Usborne World History is my favorite book for our Homeschool. I just expected the Usborne Science to be just as great.

Love the pics, love the details, love the whole thing. It is a very useful little encyclopedia that has the graphics that will lure anyone, young or old in. Perfect for my kids. And it has great Internet sights that work with it.

Wonderful book, will be very helpful in Classical Conversation this fall.

Excellent reference for a child and to get him interested in science. Layout for info is also good and at times interactive.

Great resource book - my son loves it.

Tres complet, parfait pour fin primaire / secondaire.Convient aux enfants des 6-7 ans avec des explications complementaires des parents / educateurs.Bien illustre et a jour.