edeemarie Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I have looked at the Usborne and Kingfisher Encyclopedias online, but it is so hard to tell which one would be the best when I can't see the whole book, and there are so many different editions. We are going to be doing homemade science, so I just need something I can reference from time to time- maybe even to guide me on what subjects to include in teaching science. My oldest is in 3rd grade. What have you found is a good fit? Are the Internet links worth having with the Usborne books, or is Kingfisher better? Thanks for any opinions/ suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MathFour Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 It's unlikely you'll be completely satisfied with any science encyclopedia. Just because they're liable to leave something out. I have the Usborne math dictionary and it's nice. Lots of pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I don't tend to like Usborne's science encyclopedias like I do their history ones...particularly for early elementary. (General animal information is ooookaaaay.) The writing and presentation just aren't right for the age, IMO. Kingfisher doesn't do it for me either. Again, not right for the age. There are way better presentations out there (picture books and science readers). Do you not have a good library close? Can you pay a yearly fee to use a larger library system an hour or so down the road? We pay $50 a year to use St. Louis County Libraries. Best use of my schooling money ever! PS - The Usborne "First" encyclopedias are real thin and provide only very basic information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edeemarie Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 Do you not have a good library close? Can you pay a yearly fee to use a larger library system an hour or so down the road? We pay $50 a year to use St. Louis County Libraries. Best use of my schooling money ever! I will have to look into this. Does that mean you can do interlibrary loan without being charged each time for it? That would be great since our fee is $1 a book. We are about an hour away from several big library systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Honestly we have Kingfisher and Usborne on the shelf. The Usborne is worn out from use. We use it more. Can not tell you why, we like it better, we just do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Kingfisher gets a TON of use in this house. I swear ds alone has nearly worn out the binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbpaulie Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I have DS nearly 7 and nearly 10. We have both KF and U Science encyc. Both boys are avid readers and quick learners. I'd say KF is slightly over the head of DS10 and Us is slightly over the head of DS7. So DS10 is using Usborne right now and DS7 is using no encyclopedia. Just where we are at this point. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 We bought Science: the Definitive Visual Guide by DK. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756689015/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01 Haven't had much occasion to use it yet, so I have no idea if it's as user friendly as the other options. But it's an incredible book!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Element Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 We have the Usborne and Kingfisher Science encyclopedias. I almost never use the Kingfisher one (except when occasionally self-teaching before a lesson) because my kids prefer the Usborne one. It seems to be better suited for younger kids, and mine are 4th and 2nd graders. With your oldest only being in 3rd, I would recommend Usborne. For older grades (5th or 6th+) I would recommend the Kingfisher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Element Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 We bought Science: the Definitive Visual Guide by DK. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756689015/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01 Haven't had much occasion to use it yet, so I have no idea if it's as user friendly as the other options. But it's an incredible book!! Ooo I've been drooling over this one for a while. Lucky you! I love DK books, and this one looks really awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edeemarie Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 Thank you all for your suggestions! Our library has an old edition of kingfisher so I'll have to take a look at it, but I am leaning toward Usborne if we do decide to get one. The samples I saw of Kingfisher did look like it was meant for children that were a bit older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Well, I'm not allowed to do a true interlibrary loan with my card...as in order books from other states, where ever. (Other library systems may be different, though.) However, I can request books from any St. Louis County Libraries branch. They have a great selection of books. What I do is log onto their Web site, search and then request all of the titles I want. (35 requests per card at a time, but we have three cards.) I wait about a week for all of them to be rounded up from the various branches and then go pick them all up at one branch. They are in a special section waiting for me. I can renew online as well. St. Louis also has educational DVDs, many of which NetFlix does not carry...Bill Nye the Science Guy, Magic School Bus, Ancient Civilizations for Kids, Little Pim, IMAX DVDs, so many more. I can't keep DVDs as long, but still HTH!! I will have to look into this. Does that mean you can do interlibrary loan without being charged each time for it? That would be great since our fee is $1 a book. We are about an hour away from several big library systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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