piraterose Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I know WTM recommends both, but if you could only buy one which one would you think would be better to own? Even though my Boo is only 1st grade, I'm leaning towards Kingfisher, because it would have a longer life span (as she will use it longer). Am I correct in my thinking? It's hard to tell because Amazon does not preview pages of Usborne, as it does for Kingfisher. I know Usborne has the benefits of the internet links, but their website does as well as far as I can tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in PA Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 We have both, but much prefer the Usborne for grammar stage/early elementary. It's simpler and easier for young kids to understand, plus it's very colorful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 because too many pages are used to describe how men came from .......all the evolution stuff. I checked it out of the library and returned without using it. It would be a waste of my money if I bought it. However, I am happily using a borrowed copy of Usborne, which is very nice for especially lower grammar kids, and has only a couple pages about the start of life. Just my two cents. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 My younger children prefer Usborne. My oldest prefers Kingfisher. You won't need Kingfisher until 5th grade. (and they may have a new edition out by that time!) I would get the Usborne. You will get 4-5 good years of use out of it. Check the library to compare both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 When I have a problem like this I see if the library has a copies and look them over, then decide. HTH Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 because too many pages are used to describe how men came from .......all the evolution stuff. I checked it out of the library and returned without using it. It would be a waste of my money if I bought it. However, I am happily using a borrowed copy of Usborne, which is very nice for especially lower grammar kids, and has only a couple pages about the start of life.Just my two cents. J I have the KHE 2004 copyright and it only has 2 pages on "the first humans". Very easily skipped by those who do not accept that POV. I was under the impression that it was the Usborne book that contained something like 100 pages on evolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I have the KHE 2004 copyright and it only has 2 pages on "the first humans". Very easily skipped by those who do not accept that POV. I was under the impression that it was the Usborne book that contained something like 100 pages on evolution. That is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockey Mom Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I like Usborne, but only because it seemed more age-appropriate for my rising 1st & 2nd grader. Kingfisher looked good for upper elementary, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmommaof4 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I completely agree with the previous posters that the Usborne books are better for elementary and the Kingfisher books are more for middle school and up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen S in Va Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I have the KHE 2004 copyright and it only has 2 pages on "the first humans". Very easily skipped by those who do not accept that POV. I was under the impression that it was the Usborne book that contained something like 100 pages on evolution. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piraterose Posted July 27, 2010 Author Share Posted July 27, 2010 Unfortunately our library system does not carry the Usborne book in any of its branches, so I have no way of seeing it. Thanks for the advice, maybe I'll just have to bite the bullet and go with Usborne without seeing it, since you all are recommending for younger grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautifulLife Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I have the KHE 2004 copyright and it only has 2 pages on "the first humans". Very easily skipped by those who do not accept that POV. I was under the impression that it was the Usborne book that contained something like 100 pages on evolution. :iagree:We have both and this is correct. The prehistoric world section is pp.10-pp.103 in Usborne, while I only have to skip 5 in Kingfisher. But I also agree that Usborne is more kid-friendly. We got both at Rainbow Resource for pretty decent prices. The paperback edition of Usborne is $15.25 while the hardback is $29.95. Kingfisher is $22.50. Here are the links, which give good descriptions of each. http://rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1280249154-788582&subject=14&category=4003 http://rainbowresource.com/product/Kingfisher+History+Encyclopedia+%28revised%29/003618/1280249154-788582 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie.Louise Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I am going against the grain here, but I don't care for the layout of the usborne ency. books. They are very broken up, with little boxes of text. I personally find this distracting. It may not bother you at all though. Just wanted to throw that out there. But I don't know what I would rec. in its place. We have an old set of Children's Golden Book encyclopedias that were my dad's from the 60's, these are great. Maybe you could find something like that? Katie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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