"Usborne Unplugged" by Jan Zeiger

Usborne books have something for children of every age. From toddler board books with captivating illustrations and cute story lines to science books with internet links that transport your child to another world.

These wonderful books are full of useful information along with beautiful photos and detailed illustrations to draw your children in and hold their attention. These books will quickly become your children's favorites.

I especially like Usborne books because they're free of commercial products and characters. Our kids are already bombarded with TV characters and toy commercials. I like having a collection of books for my children that is made up of higher quality literature that truly engages and delights. I don't want all of the books I buy for my children to be commercials for toys or television shows.

"Young readers can visit exotic locales during daytime and night by pulling shutters on the unique pages of this engaging book. 'At night, Kendé falls asleep on a woolen carpet. By day...he marches through the desert, in step with the camels,' begins the journey, which moves onto four other worldly regions as children pull tabs to make night turn into day. Still, the book is a smart bedtime visit, as the last page ends with several children sleeping. 'At night...their eyes are closed. Shh! Goodnight,' it says. Reluctant sleepers might benefit by seeing that children the world over rest peacefully at night." - Copley News Service

Most Universal Bedtime Book
"Travel to many lands and, through the magic of interactive, sliding picture windows, observe kids in their daytime and nighttime routines." - Nick Jr. Family Magazine

"We all share the rhythms of night and day, but we often do so in many different ways. A beautiful book for young readers." - Kids Bookshelf

The Nights of the World

Visit a bookstore or online bookshop and you'll find many nature-inspired children's books. I have chosen to review Mysteries and Marvels of Nature because it's a wonderful book about nature that captivates readers of all ages. Detailed descriptions, excellent photographs, and recommended internet links that support further learning set it apart from the others. While the book is designed for older children, my five year old enjoys the amazing photographs and asks many questions when we read this book together.

Educational Content

Mysteries and Marvels of Nature is packed full of information. From scary deep sea fish to the cuddly koalas--this book has it all. The book is divided into chapters that include feeding techniques, defense mechanisms, and life cycles, making it easier for children to make connections between concepts. The index at the back of the book is a useful feature for readers who are searching for information on a specific topic. Clear, concise language is used throughout the well-organized book, with detailed captions to enhance children's understanding of living things found in nature.

Stunning Photographs

The photographs featured in Mysteries and Marvels of Nature are some of the best I've seen in books for children about science. The close-up photographs introduce children to animals, insects, and plants that they've never seen before and may never have the opportunity to see in real life. The illustrations that accompany the pictures are very good as well and are used to demonstrate concepts that are especially important or more difficult to comprehend.

Internet Links

When David wants to learn more about a particular topic, we take advantage of the internet links that have been included in the book. For example, when we were reading about the Venus fly trap, the page indicated that we could visit the internet link page for an actual movie clip of the plant snapping shut. Upon visiting the link page, we typed in the title of the book along with the page number and found a high quality movie clip of the Venus Fly Trap in action! These links are included throughout the book as an extension for learning. While the internet links enhance the learning experience, online access is not required to enjoy the book.

As a former homeschooling mom and certified teacher, I draw from both sets of experiences when I recommend books to parents. I feel that Mysteries and Marvels of Nature is one of the best science books I've seen and deserves a place in every home library.

Buy Mysteries and Marvels of Nature

Usborne has a great selection of science, and experiment books, and kid kits to help the budding scientist in your child.

One of my favorites is 100 Science Experiments .

This action-packed collection of science experiments combines hands-on fun and scientific investigation. See the results for yourself and then find out what's really going on by discovering the science behind it all.

100 Science Experiments also includes internet links, so your child can go online, to sites you know are safe, and find more information on the experiments, and the science behind them.

This is an excellent book for summer science enrichment. I'm sure that science teachers and homeschooling moms would also find it helpful.

Looking for something to do this summer? This book contains over 140 great art projects. It would make a great addition to any young artists library.

The Complete Book of Art Ideas is three books in one.

Usborne's Art Ideas, Art Skills, and Art Projects all together in a combined volume, that makes an excellent value.