This extraordinary resource gives kids an invaluable overview of the history of the world, from prehistoric times to the present. Plentiful, gorgeous illustrations support the concise text and help to build a child's interest in the subject.
A powerful feature of this encyclopedia is its well-integrated Internet links. The book points young readers to over 200 handpicked web sites that offer kids a chance to expand on the information presented in the book, either through online games (such as a fossil-matching game), virtual tours, interactive maps, song clips, or further reading on specific topics.
Each of the four main sections of the book--Prehistoric World, Ancient World, Medieval World, and The Last 500 Years--opens with a list and descriptions of editors' picks of relevant and kid-friendly web sites on the general topic. Additionally, many of the spreads include more specific links. Thankfully, all of these links are compiled on the QuickLinks page at Usborne's web site. This makes accessing the links easier and eliminates the problems that can arise when web addresses are mistyped. Also available at the publisher's web site are free downloadable images--all maps and some specially marked images in the book are ready to download and use in school reports and projects. Of course, due to the changeable nature of the Internet, some links in the book are likely to become outdated. Use of the Quicklinks page, where regular updates are promised, should eliminate this concern.
An example spread, entitled The Death of the Dinosaurs, discusses how most dinosaurs became extinct and puts forth some of the most common theories for this happening. Large illustrations depict what it may have been like if the "deadly rock" theory were correct. A short paragraph and small illustrations of the creatures who survived the times are also shown, and a link to a web site is given for readers who want to "see" the last days of the dinosaurs. Another 2-page spread entitled The End of the Century discusses the breaking up of Yugoslavia, technological advancements, the Human Genome Project, genetically modified food, and the celebration at the start of the year 2000. A link to a site that shows how people celebrated the millennium around the world is offered.
Illustrated time charts are included at the back of the book, along with a glossary and full index.
Though you won't find in-depth coverage of individual topics in the book, it is an excellent starting point for children's research--whether kids are hunting for a topic for their next school project, looking for a summary of a particular history topic, or in need of relevant links to websites for further exploration. In addition, the book's format invites casual browsing.
Kids don't necessarily need to be Internet-connected in order to benefit from this encyclopedia. However, those that do peruse of the book's web links will find the experience rich and rewarding. After reading about the French Revolution, for example, kids can visit a site where they can listen to La Marseillaise (a song from the French Revolution); children interested in the Industrial Revolution can try their hand at operating steam-powered machines at the web site; readers can view a collection of medieval stained glass, play Viking games, decorate a medieval cathedral, print their name in cuneiform writing, explore inside the Great Pyramid, and more.
Every child and adult tester who had a chance to flip through this book had a hard time putting it down. Its more than 400 pages are lavishly illustrated, and the book is entirely engrossing. Because of its well-organized presentation, the book is most useful for increasing children's understanding of the chronology of past events and for giving them a broad overview of historical events. Illustrations and maps are abundant, and these help make such an enormous subject as the history of the world more approachable and accessible. Its well-integrated Internet links keep the encyclopedia contemporary and relevant for today's children, whose research efforts generally involve referring to both hard-copy and Internet-based information.
