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Rocks and Minerals (Eye Wonder) | 
 enlarge | Author: Dk Publishing
Publisher: DK CHILDREN
Category: Book
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $5.50
You Save: $4.49 (45%)
New (15) from $5.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 69072
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 48
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 10.4 x 7.9 x 0.4
ISBN: 0789497603
Dewey Decimal Number: 549
UPC: 635517097603
EAN: 9780789497604
ASIN: 0789497603
Publication Date: January 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: NEVER USED, MINOR SHELFWEAR ON EDGES AND CORNERS. KB687.
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Product Description
Eye Wonder Rocks and Minerals introduces geologic elements to budding scientists -- Did you know that the amount of gold in any material is measured in carats and that 24-carat gold is pure gold? Find out facts like this and much more in this fascinating guide to rocks and minerals.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Good content hampered by small size January 2, 2009
When they call this a "pocket" book they really mean it. As usual, DK has packed a lot of information and images into a single volume. But to make it so small, there are (in my opinion) too many compromises.
I suspect that DK has a book with very similar content in a bigger size, and that the content was simply rearranged and reduced in size to make it fit the Pocket concept. In other words, it's as if they took a regular book and printed it in a "zoomed" version 1/4 the size or less.
As a result, the text is small. As in most DK books, there's a variety of typefaces and sizes. Well, in this one, the smallest type sizes are really tiny! You can read them, but it sure takes some effort. I found it uncomfortable.
Naturally, all the photographs have to be smaller, too. And because there's not enough space on a single page to fit any reasonable-size picture, many photographs of rocks and minerals -- although usually colorful and detailed -- are split across two pages.
Splitting photos across the binding is a compromise one can accept in a budget-priced book. But in this case it's really problematic, because this tiny book has a very tight binding. To get any view of such pictures, you're tempted to squash the pages flat on either side. Do that enough, and this inexpensive binding won't hold up. Meanwhile, you're still dealing with the distraction of a two-part image and the physical effort to hold the pages open.
The typical DK book is designed as much for browsing as for straight-through reading. But at this size, that design approach breaks down. Two pages of text and images fit into a space far smaller than a single page in a typical book. In a larger book, your eye scans across a page, but at this size, the whole thing meets your eye at once.
In short, it took me only a minute or two to wish I had spent a bit more and bought a full-size book, whether from DK or whomever. There are quite a few on Amazon that looked promising, but I bought this instead because of the low promotional pricing. Lesson learned.
(Here are a few available from Amazon that give an idea of what I mean: Rock & Mineral (DK Eyewitness Books), or Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals (Smithsonian Handbooks), or Rocks and Minerals (Eye Wonder)). There are many more, I'm sure.)
I honestly don't know what to make of all the reviewers who make no mention of these issues. It's true that the content is pretty good, but it's not an exhaustive summary of the topic, or necessarily the best of its type.
The fact that the book is small does not (in my view) mean that it's better for kids. On the contrary, it seems to me that it is stiffer and harder to manipulate than a bigger book. And since when do kids' books have *smaller* typefaces than usual?
I think it attracts a youngster's eye because it presents a variety of colors and textures. But I would not recommend it either as a kid's first introduction to this topic, or as a reference book for children who are looking for more detailed information. Both purposes are served better by other books.
Excellent Resource December 24, 2008
A nice introduction for young and older geologists. Beautiful illustrations. The beauty of rocks and minerals is well presented as well as basic geology for all. A must for earth science enthusiasts. DK Publishing produces very high quality resources.
Rocks for kids August 29, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Purchased as a gift for my granddaughter who loves rocks and shells. I prefer this to buying "princess" products, as it encourages her interest in science.
Very Satisfied August 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I promised my grandson books about rocks for his birthday. I was very suprised about this book for the price. It is very, very, good book for children. He is 7 years old and is very happy.
A very happy Grandma!
Awesome book! July 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
All DK Eyewitness books are fabulous. If you are a classroom teacher you must attempt to purchase all of them and have them available in your classroom library. My students love to read these books and use them as references.
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