Basher: Rocks & Minerals: A Gem of a Book

I purchased this book for my fifth grade students. This book arrived water stained, mold spots, and a sticker that reads $1.79. I am not even sure it should go in my classroom book shelf because if all the allergies. I am disappointed.

This review applies to MOST of the Basher books as they all seem to share the same mix of excellence and failure.First, these books are GREAT in that they present some of the terminology/jargon of the subject matter in a way that seems to interest small children! (in my experience, ages 4-7 seems about right) This is actually a BIG DEAL, as the books reliably deal in wonderfully important subjects. For this, I highly recommend them and thank the authors and publishers for their effort!However... there are two ways in which I find these books to be terribly disappointing:1) The attempts to make each entry clever and fun raise the effective reading level high above the target audience. Clever puns and delightfully descriptive diatribes do not go over so well with young children just beginning to read. My six year old is completely ready for the subject matter, but struggles to the point of giving up (!!) trying to manage the prose.2) IMHO, the attempts at fun language and clever characterizations often work to obscure the simplicity of the subject matter at hand. As a scientist who understands many of the concepts under discussion, I often find myself marveling at how these descriptions express an opaque and incomprehensible version of what are fundamentally simple ideas.*sigh*Basher Guys... I LOVE what you are trying to do. IMHO, if you can find a way to simplify the prose, and not let "characterizations" get in the way of "simple explanations", then you will be changing the WORLD!!So despite my reservations... BUY THESE BOOKS!... I think that as long as they use it to try to do better, these guys have TOTALLY earned our income!!

My son is seven years old and has been collecting rocks for years. He always talks about how he wants to be a Space Geologist when he grows up. This book presents factual information about rocks in a way that he can understand. The bright, colorful pictures keep him entertained while he reads the story of each rock. It's really cute that the information about each rock is presented from the rocks' point of view. He was so excited to get this book that he read it for over an hour when I gave it to him!This whole series of books is great! We've actually used several of them to supplement the curriculum in our home school.*I paid full price for this item. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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.

Absolutely phenomenal book! My 6 & 8 year old devoured Rocks & Minerals and are begging for more in the series!The illustrations are great, Pyrite "Fool's Gold" wears a little jester hat, so it's become a game to figure out what the names might be of each character before we look. The information is precise while communicating facts in a fun way, both my Kindergartener and my Second Grader can comprehend what's they're reading but the info covers many things not taught until later in elementary school.Can't wait to add to our collection!

Awesome presentation without being overwhelming. My child was able to build on the information presented with more in-depth books and videos, but this got her started . The NatGeo Rock and Minerals was intimidating as a starter book. This was perfect, and NOW she has moved onto the NatGeo.

This book is so so fun and yet is so knowledgeable. We just love it.

Wonderful book for my 6 year old. Perfectly written, illustrated and informative without being too overwhelming for a child. I would say this book would be one that would take my 6 year old into middle school, as the information will grow with him as he grows. He can take the more simple information for what he needs, and then comprehend the entirety of the book as he gets older.

At last - books that help children (older children) to learn and not really realise they are doing it. These books are all written and illustrated in a way which appeals to children - but they contain the correct and relevant facts. My two boys pick these books up at will and pick out snippets of information from them. They are so popular that I've been asked to look out for when the next one comes out!

Specifically requested by my grandson and he is very pleased to have it as a gift

Good

Really good book as it explains things the way a child can understand, my son is a budding geologist and he was made up with it.

Very good condition.