Basher Science: Rocks and Minerals: A Gem of a Book [With Poster]

All of these books are really good. My 9-yr-old son's favorite is The Periodic Table. It makes each mineral, (or element, or whatever depending on the book,) into a character with a story that makes learning really fun and memorable. I highly recommend this book, and all of them in this series. Especially great for any child who loves science.

My homeschooled daughters all love these books. I use them along with our science curriculum, but they like to read them just for fun. If your child is into manga, they will probably enjoy these. We have one for physics, the periodic table, and rocks and minerals.

This and all other Dan Green illustrated books are fabulous! We make a point of seeking out quality science books and these remain at the top of our list. My boys are 7 and 9 but they have been in love with Dan Green books since they were 5. As with his other titles (Biology, Physics, Astronomy and Periodic Table) this book gives a face and a personality to scientific ideas and concepts which immediately connect with a child in. The topic becomes alive and interesting and there's no better way to engage a child and make his imagination soar. My boys take these books in the car, to grandmas house, to school, everywhere. The knowledge has given them great confidence in science because it is dispensed in a way that children can understand, and the characters are so lovable -- who wouldn't want to learn from them! Small, compact, not the least bit overwhelming, a must-have for little science lovers.

First, I will say that I am overly critical of books pertaining to Rocks & minerals...being a Gemologist, "glorified Rockhound" and all. So, when my children and I spotted this book at our school book fair, we took a peek and discovered it is different from all the rest. Colorful, animated and informative!!!! I was engaged immediately with the easy to follow layout, which skips all the heavy scientific hoopla that will bore a child to pieces (and many adults as well). My children ages 5, 9 and 11 fell in love with the chubby, adorable stone and mineral characters. The significance of the details of the character are intriguing, so when you read the summary, you discover why the chubby fella is holding or doing certain things. I might also add that the paper quality and durability of this book is top-notch. I have fallen in love again with certain stones I haven't encountered in a long while, and learned some new things too. Now, we plan to buy more of these fantastic books.....they're on my kid's Christmas wish list!

We now own all of the science books written by Basher and have also purchased a set for our son's school. What a gift to have science brought to life in such a creative and entertaining way for kids. (Plus, the posters are really fun!) Our 10-year-old can't get enough of them and it has really turned him on to science. We are anxiously awaiting the next release in the series.