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Rating: 
Summary: A MUST HAVE!
Review: As a librarian I see lots of Encyclopedias. I was very impressed with this one in particular because it is full of color photos, and children always like pictures with their text. I ordered three copies for my library which have become so popular that I plan to order two more to keep up with the demand. My next goal is to try to get one into each of the seven classrooms in my school!
Rating:
Summary: excellent, except questionable age range
Review: I bought this with idea of giving it to a 5 year old. Upon arrival, it seemed much too advanced. You have 4 to 8 years. I checked the DK website and they indicated age 8+. The book is great and will go to an older child. This book is so well put together that an adult would benefit by having it for a reference.
Rating:
Summary: excellent, except questionable age range
Review: I bought this with idea of giving it to a 5 year old. Upon arrival, it seemed much too advanced. You have 4 to 8 years. I checked the DK website and they indicated age 8+. The book is great and will go to an older child. This book is so well put together that an adult would benefit by having it for a reference.
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Summary: Oxford's children's encyclopedia has refreshing perspective.
Review: It was with some trepidation that I opened The Oxford Children's Illustrated Encyclopaedia, being it is a product of acedemia. I need not have worried. It is refreshing and is crammed with facts; and without being jingoistic, it cheerfully assumes it is not a bad thing to view the world through Western eyes. That is, it speaks from a largely Western perspective.Chinese history gets its due, for instance, but mainly as it intersects with European; the same goes for Africa. It is also notable that the encyclopaedia explains herbalism, reflexology and aromatherapy in a one-page article on complementary medicine, for instance, but devotes pages and pages to standard science: bacteria, viruses, breathing, cells, the brain, the heart, immunity, pregnancy, birth and so on. The "wisdom of the rainforest" is absent. So is the group theory of scientific discovery, in favour of the accomplishments of such individuals as Archimedes, Marie Curie, James Watt and Albert Einstein. Pollution and its effects are discussed, but without any technology-bashing. The entries on the steam engine, crane, battery and photocopier (bet you didn't know that the key to photocopying is magnetism) are more than clear; they impart to children that each is a triumph of the human mind. Its accurate chronology and historical structure for example include Medieval England with exposition of king, law, parliament, God and the Black Death. Then there is the matter of religion. Its pages on Buddhism, Islam and Judaism provide excellent synopses, and the entries on Christianity are packed with information. Space was found for Methodism founder John Wesley, the Quakers' George Fox and many more. In summary, it is accurate, factual but more important it presents things in perspective. Nathan Greenfield [BCR]
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good but information not very accurate
Review: Like the pictures and coverage but was not happy with the authenticity of the information. In 5 pages found about 5 mistakes.
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Summary: An education enthusiast!
Review: So many questions were hard to answer when my 2 1/2 year old son started asking me (why do crickets make that noise? etc.) so, I bought this as a reference. Now, we read a section every night and he has so much knowledge from this book. It is very easy to read and has many detailed and colorful pictures (even boring subjects hold your interest!). My son, who is now 3 1/2 tells everyone how the noise is made by crickets rubbing their legs together. I've even learned a few things myself.
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