Everything You Need to Know: An Encyclopedia for Inquiring Young Minds
Grade 2–5—This unbiased browsing encyclopedia covers a wide range of subjects under headings such as "Plants," "Animals," "People through Time," "Science," and "Space," with the suitability of the entries varying by age. Some, such as "Clothes," will be accessible to second and third graders, whereas others, for example "South America," may be more suitable for students who have already had some global studies. The visually rich work presents inset blocks of facts, vocabulary, related stories, questions, and ideas for crafts. The story boxes will assist in creating literature connections to topics (though some, such as a summary of "The Three Little Pigs" in the chapter on materials, will not appeal to the older end of the grade range). The vocabulary "notepads" throughout are helpful, but there is no comprehensive glossary or pronunciation guide. "Can You Find?" questions will engage younger readers. Web sites are listed as footers without titles or annotations, limiting their utility. The use of bright colors, small blocks of dark text, an adequately sized typeface, and numerous illustrations make the book easy to read, and a comprehensive index allows for the access of specific bits of information.—Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Yeshiva Har Torah, Little Neck, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.