Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
YouTube superstar makes learning about the cosmos fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
FUN SCIENCE is just that, 10 chapters that cover the Universe, Solar System, Earth, Life, Body, Brain, Cell, Elements, Particle, and End of Time in short and witty sections featuring quirky hand-drawn illustrations, randomly colored pages, and McDonnell's favorite fun facts.
Is It Any Good?
Readers will enjoy this offbeat, sometimes zany tour of the universe written for the internet generation by YouTube superstar and passionate science fan, Charlie McDonnell. Subjects that might seem overwhelming (the evolution of the brain or dark matter) are presented in ways that try to ease readers' fears and make them eager to learn more. But the sheer volume of material covered in the book could be challenging for readers (even teens) without a basic science vocabulary.
Some readers may find the book's design -- pages that can incorporate illustrations with two or three fonts in radically different sizes -- a visual jumble and difficult to decipher.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how science is treated in Fun Science. Can learning about science really be fun? Why so many students are intimidated by science classes?
Have you watched any of McDonnell's "Fun Science" web videos? Do you think videos like these could help teach science in schools?
Which of McDonnell's "fun facts" surprised you the most?
Book Details
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