Modern factual childrens books

... are rubbish?

I have a son who likes being read factual stories at night. We have
books such as the Dorling Kindersley books on Weather and the like.
They seemed fine when I was reading them. Then I saw an older book
about the weather at a stall. The book was originally published in
1960, and his mother said she'd had it when it was young. So I bought
it for the princely sum of 5p (about US$ 0.09). Reading it, I see a
huge difference between the two books. The modern one contains a lot of
information, but that's all it has. The older book doesn't include as
many facts, but includes many little experiments that children can do.
Such as putting pieces of black paper and white paper out in the sun to
see which one adsorbs most heat. Or putting a glass upside down on
grass so that evaporation of water can be observed. In short, it
includes experiments that kids can do and have fun with, while
learning.

The more I think about it, despite containing more and more up to date
information, better pictures, a wider range of subjects, I can't help
but think that the modern book isn't a patch on the older one, for the
purpose of teaching children and engendering in them a thirst for
knowledge.

Any comments?

dragonlady...

The two books serve different purposes, both valid.

You can find current books with lots of cool experiments, and older
books that are just information -- you just have to know what you want
and go looking for it.

robotiser...

Any recommendations then?

Jeanne...

Look for Janice Van Cleaves (sp?) science books and probably any Bill
Nye the Science Guy books. They include both facts and experiments
illustrating the facts.

Penny Gaines...

Look into the Horrible Science books. I think Usborne/Osborne
science books have the kind of experiments you want.

dragonlady...

My books aren't unpacked yet....though I think most of the stuff I
bought that had decent "hands on" stuff was for the church library, so I
wouldn't have it on hand anyway.

However, any good children's librarian can help.

For that matter, if you go to a good bookstore, one where the staff
actually know their inventory, someone there can help.

Just go into a good bookstore or library and start looking around.