The Loud Book by Deborah Underwood | Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg

*If you are Canadian, you can enter to win these two books and more HERE but Sunday, May 8th is the last day!

Stars: ****

Thomas Allen & Sons (2011)
Picture Book
32 pages

Summary: Just like there are lots of quiets, there are also lots of louds: Good louds (HOORAY!) and bad louds (CRASH!) And louds that make you feel like you are the center of attention (BURP!). The Loud Book compiles all these kid-friendly noises from morning to night, in a way that is sure to make readers CHEER! - GoodReads


The Loud Book is a follow up to The Quiet Book however I've not read that one. You can read either one by itself but it would make a great book set. Perfect for ages 2-5, when kids love to hear their own voice and BE LOUD!

There are many different types of loud which is exactly the point the book makes:

"Surprise Loud, Belly Flop Loud and Bad Crash Loud"

My kids and I had fun learning about the different kinds of loud. There were some more abstract ones I had to explain too like "Deafening Silence Loud." However I usually tend to make sure they understand what we read in any book so I'm used to explaining things.

The illustrations are by Renata Liwska and are adorable. Soft and muted, perfect for young viewers. My eldest daughter pointed something wrong with one of the illustrations however. The "Good Crash Loud" one shows a bear bowling but he's standing on the part of the lane you are not supposed to stand on (the slippery part - past the line.) Leave it to my five year old to notice.

"You're not supposed to stand on that part though mommy."

She's got a point.

Links of Interest: Deborah Underwood,
Other Reviews: There's A Book, 5 Minutes for Books,  Shelf Elf (Guest Post),
Buy The Loud Book at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Stars: *****

Thomas Allen & Sons (2011)
Children's Nonfiction
40 Pages
Ages 6+

Summary: At the turn of the nineteenth century, a retired sixty-two-year-old charm school instructor named Annie Edson Taylor, seeking fame and fortune, decided to do something that no one in the world had ever done before—she would go over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel. Come meet the Queen of the Falls and witness with your own eyes her daring ride! - GoodReads

The author of The Polar Express, Jumanji, Just a Dream and many others takes a step away from fantasy to write about history. Chris still manages to deliver a spectacular book that draws the reader in and makes the reader not able to pull away until the book is done.

It's a mixture of the soft, detailed illustrations and the way the story reads that draw you in. I can't think of another picture book writer that can accomplish the same thing. This book is a great way to learn about this story and would be great to provoke discussion in a school setting.



Links of Interest: Chris Van Allsburg,
Other Reviews: NONE YET
Buy Queen of the Falls at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*If you are Canadian, you can enter to win these two books and more HERE but Sunday, May 8th is the last day!

Awakening Consciousness: A Girl's Guide & A Boy's Guide by Robin Marvel

Stars: ***1/2

This review is for both books at once as they have only minor differences.

Summary: These are workbooks designed to encourage spiritual growth, inner strength and self awareness. The exercises are a bit different in each book as outlined below.

Girl's Guide: Your chakras, keep a healthy aura, learn the pendulum, aromatherapy crafts, crystals, explore inner self, create your own future.

Boy's Guide: Make a drum, find your totem, discover spirit guide, Native-American lore, chakras, crystals, Pendulum, strong aura, self-esteem.

All though I do think it's a good idea to have separate guides for boys and girls I think it would have made more sense to make them different in the text and specific activities perhaps, not necessarily different activities. I would make the drum and find the totem with my girls and I would teach aromatherapy to my boy.

In general the idea of the books is awesome, however I do think the books have some problems.

Girl's Guide:

• Mainly it wasn't edited enough, or at all. There were grammatical errors, missing words and repeated words. There's a section on ESP that says to pick 5 designs and then right after says you have 3 designs. The instructions are bit messed up although I'm sure most people can figure it out themselves.
• The word bestie is used which I didn't know meant best friend. I work with Girl Guides and have heard all kinds of slang and short forms, never heard Bestie. I don't think it's a good idea to use slang in a book anyway because as the book gets older, the term would be not in use anymore.

In Both:

• We are given a section to write down tarot readings but it's not like tarot cards come with the book or we are taught much about them. I'm not sure the purpose of that section. The boy's guide is only a little better in that it suggests a book to explain tarot and doesn't sound as if you must have cards already.
• The dream section says to look up your dreams in a dream dictionary to keep track of what your subconscious may be telling you. The boy's guide is even more adamant that you MUST look up your dreams in a book to know what they mean. Dreambooks aren't definite meanings though, they are just ideas and they even say in small print in them that it's mostly just for fun. 

Despite all this the book has it's merits and I can use what I want out of it which would be most of it. Also the chakracize (chakra exercises) is the best part of the book with photos to go along with it. I just think they need to be reprinted with proper editing and more thought.

Links of Interest: Marvelous Empowerment on Facebook, Marvelous Empowerment,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Awakening Consciousness: A Girl's Guide at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Buy Awakening Consciousness: A Boy's Guide at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*These books were received in exchange for a review if I finished the book. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Speed Reviews - Children's Books

A few more speed reviews for you. These are books I read over a year ago that never got reviewed. They're short since it's been so long since I read them.


Kaboom! Explosions of all Kinds by Gillian Richardson
Stars: ***

Summary: Who knew that some insects can create explosions to get food? Or that fireworks were once used to fight wars? Explosions are all around us, from the Big Bang that created the universe to the “pop” of a seedpod, from solar flares to the explosive gases lurking in a coal mine. Full of fun facts, dramatic images and highlights of momentous blasts in history—including the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917— KABOOM! examines an astonishing variety of explosions and the science behind them. - Annick Press

I have read lots of science type books from Annick Press but this wasn't one of the best ones. It was interesting but didn't capture my interest the way some of the others did (Nibbling on Einstein's Brain, Spiked Scorpions and Walking Whales etc...). I'm not sure what caused my disinterest but I did find my mind wandering. I'm also not the intended age (9+) of course. However if I find it a tad slow, I think older kids would too.  The best part of the book was the photos showing explosives used for demolition. It shows how the building implodes.

Buy Kaboom! at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews


The Bubble by Brian D. McClure
Stars: ***

Summary: Once there was a little boy, who didn’t want anyone to play with any of his toys... As the little boy grows into a man, he only cares about his many material possessions. As one by one, the things he cares about begin to leave his life, he soon finds himself all alone, trapped inside a bubble. The Bubble is a delightful story that will help both children and adults remember what truly matters in life. - from BriandMcClure.com

The premise of this book was good. Teaching a child that possessions aren't everything is a great idea. However I'm not sure about the way the book ended up. The first 25 pages were great. Then it gets a little weird:

"...Soon the trees, grass, and flowers left his property." pg 26 - Um they just disappeared?
"Soon, his possessions left him." pg 30 - Riiiight.
"Soon, his house left him... but he still had his fenced-in yard." pg 35 - See where this is going.
(then the soil leaves and he is immersed in an empty bubble)
"The bubble started to sink into the void, where his house and possessions once were. The last thing the old man saw was the twelve-foot fence that once surrounded his property." pg 41

Okay so I get that it's supposed to show how alone he ends up and the ending sort of explains it a bit as well but it just seems a bit weird to me. I would have preferred a book that's more realistic, where the man just grows old amongst stuff but alone. To me if the book is going to teach a real life lesson, it should be more realistic. But perhaps you would like it. It does have a good morale and I love the graphics. It's a great book for all ages as not just kids need reminders about possessions.

Buy The Bubble at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*Both books were received in exchange for a review if I finished them. All opinions are honest and are my own. 

I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat: History's Strangest Cures by Carlyn Beccia

Stars: ****

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2010)
Children's Nonfiction
48 pages
Ages 4-8

Summary: It wasn’t too long ago that people tried all sorts of things to help sick people feel better. They tried wild things like drinking a glass full of millipedes or putting some mustard on one's head.  Some of the cures worked, and some of them…well, let’s just say that millipedes, living or dead, are not meant to be ingested. Carlyn Beccia takes readers on a colorful and funny medical mystery tour to discover that while times may have changed, many of today’s most reliable cure-alls have their roots in some very peculiar practices, and so relevant connections can be drawn from what they did then to what we do now. - from  amazon.com

This is the second book by Carlyn Beccia I've reviewed. I did a three day book tour for Raucous Royals: Day One, Day Two, Day Three.

Although in general, I'm not a fan of reading about history, I loved this book. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because it was too short. I would have preferred more information but it's a good start for children. I love the way the book is set up. It's a quiz book. Many past 'cures' for common ailments are shown. You have to decide which one(s) actually worked. Then turn the page for a description of each cure and how well it worked.

So which of these three cures for sore throats helped? A frog down the throat, a necklace made from earthworms or a dirty sock tied around the neck? You'll have to read the book to find out. Don't think just because you are adult you will know the answer either, I got some wrong and some right, about half and half. The author also gives us the origin of each strange cure.

Links of Interest: Carlyn Beccia,
Other Reviews: A Patchwork of Books, Shelf-Employed,

Buy I Feel Better at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

The Adventures of Medical Man: Kids' Illnesses and Injuries Explained by Dr. Michael Evans & David Wichman

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2010)
Children's Nonfiction
Ages: 11+
72 pages

Summary: Learn about nut allergies, concussions, broken bones, strep throat, ear infections and asthma in a fun way. It's like a comic book and regular book all rolled into one. 

I'm not a big comic fan but this isn't a comic book. There are comic type illustrations (by Gareth Williams) throughout the book and the story on Strep Throat is a full fledged comic but that's it. This is a great way for reluctant readers to learn more about common illnesses and injuries. The stories are short and broken up with the illustrations and they aren't all fiction or all nonfiction, but a mixture of both so it's like reading nonfiction in a story. The nut allergy one is the longest but it's broken up into episodes with the other stories in between them.

I'm not sure why the authors chose those six ailments but they were interesting and although I thought I knew the basics, I did learn a little bit more than I already knew.

Links of Interest: Dr. Mike Evans, David Wichman's Blog,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for a review. All reviews are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog & Frankie The Walk 'n Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House by Barbara Gail Techel

Stars: ****

Joyful Paw Prints (2008)


Summary: A true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life started out just like any other dog walking on all four paws until a spinal injury leaves her paralyzed. Frankie is custom-fitted for a wheelchair and learns to keep on rolling. Her zest for life will have you cheering and she will give you hope that all things are possible. Frankie will leave an everlasting and loving paw print on your heart. A book for all ages to teach overcoming challenges and also compassion for the physically challenged. - from Joyful Paws

Stars: ****

Joyful Paw Prints (2010)

Summary: Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog keeps rolling along in her doggie wheelchair. This paralyzed dachshund's unabashed healing, exuberant spirit, and spunky personality is a blessed gift to everyone she befriends. In this true, inspirational story, Frankie tells how she became a registered therapy dog and shares her visits to Libby's House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer's or dementia. Frankie teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most - love. - from Joyful Paws

I'm a sucker for true dog stories and having one in picture book format is a nice change. Frankie's story is not sad. It's a story of hope and perseverance. I loved the story. The books are about the average length of a non-fiction picture book (48 is average, these books are 49 pages.)

I'm not however, a big fan of the illustrations which I find to often be a problem with self-published books. I do however think these two books are good enough to be picked up by a publishing company and given more professional illustrations. The illustrations however are better than some I've seen. I do think Frankie is well done, (see cover of first book.)

In addition to these books, Frankie's story has been featured in other books, magazines and even on radio, podcasts and TV. Even Frankie himself has won an award!

The website, Joyful Paws, has tons of information on Frankie, dachshunds, handicapped pets and more. Teachers and groups within a 120 mile radius of Elkhart Lake, WI can have Barbara and Frankie come visit in person while the rest of the world can see her via Skype. She has a large list of resources and an articles section with stories of other animals. There's even a list you can subscribe to to receive a paw-print signed photo of the real Frankie, word search, coloring page, updates on Frankie and articles from Barbara.

Links of Interest: Joyful Paws,

Other Reviews: The Friendly Book Nook, Lesa's Book Critiques,

Buy Frankie: The Walk 'N Roll Dog at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews
Buy The Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of each of these books for free in exchange for a review. All reviews are honest and are not affected by how I acquired the book.

Draw Plus Math: Enhance Math Learning Through Art Activities by Freddie Levin

Stars: *****

Peel Productions 2010
For ages 6 and up
978-0-939217-90-8


Summary: Your child can learn math skills while having fun drawing.

My eldest child is not quite five but she loves math and drawing so she had fun going through this book with me.

Each lesson has a colour drawing and either a bunch of questions to figure out or some new information to impart. It suggests writing your answers down but we just figured them out together since my children are younger and I wanted it to be less like school work.  Then it shows you how to draw it for yourself and then answer some questions about the one you made.

I can see this book will get more use in the coming few years as my girls are better at following drawing directions. They've been opening the book on their own and attempting to follow the drawings. Even my 3 year old tries it. 

Concepts covered: numbers, counting, adding, subtracting, relative amount, sets or groups, one to one correspondence, shapes, symmetry, patterns, sorting, relative position, sequence, fractions, data analysis and graphs.

Look for Draw Plus Science and Draw Plus More Math in 2011!


Links of Interest: Draw Books by Peel Productions, Article by author about book, Freddie Levin,

Other Reviews: NONE YET


Buy Draw Plus Math at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Camp Out! from the Backyard to the Backwoods by Lynn Brunelle

It's Day 7. I'll have a giveaway tomorrow. For today I bring you a camping guide for kids that could teach and adult something too!

Stars: *****

Summary: Ultimate kid's guide to camping skills, projects, activities, recipes and much, much more. 

Contents and sample info:

Gearing Up (Gear, what to bring, what you should know about it, packing list and uses for duct tape.)
Home Away From Home (setting up camp by section, how to make a tent, a teepee, a no-sew sleep sack, building a fire and cooking on it, making a latrine and showers.)
Good Grub (planning meals, meal ideas, fresh foods, 36 pages of recipes and protecting food from bears)
Camping Skills (15 pages of knots, tug of war, bandanna caps, reading maps, compass including making yoru own, navigation without compass, trail signs and if you're lost.)
Somethings In the Air (Weather basics)
What's Up? (Astronomy)
Backpack Naturalist (Experiments and projects including but not limited to: field journal, investigating an old log, measuring a tree, plant pressing, bug lab and sundial.)
Crafty Camping (Crafts such as: campsite pictographs, rock sculptures, branch weavings, grass bracelet, sand candles and much more.)
Letting Loose (Car games, daytime games, night games, crazy olympics, morse cods, shadow animals and spooky stories.)
Extras (Animal tracks and campfire songs)

This is the best kids camping nonfiction book I've seen. Although I'm an adult, I will be referring back to the animal tracks and astrology sections for sure. I have also used some of the activities with my Girl Guides.

Highly Recommended

Fun Fact: The author Lynn Brunelle was a writer for Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Camp Out! at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

Girl's Guide to Campfire Activities and FollowThe Trail - The Great Camping Event - Day 3

 It's Day Three! I hope you've been enjoying the festivities so far. Be sure to check out what's going on at Callista's Ramblings too.

The Girls' Guide to Campfire Activities by Elizabeth Encarnacion

Stars: ***

Summary: Activities and fun for girls either at a real campfire and at home during a sleepover.

For girls having a real campfire, the book contains tips on building the perfect campfire and food to eat over it, songs to sing by it and stories to tell by it.  Can't have a real campfire? Pop in the bonus DVD for an instant fire in your living room where you can still make smores (in the microwave) and tell ghost stories. There's even a list of good camp movies (NOT including scary ones such as Friday the 13th) but kid friendly ones.

The book is colourful, with great illustrations and easy to read text. Recommended for ages 9-14.

Links of Interest: Elizabeth Encarnacion, Look Inside the Book on Facebook,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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Follow the Trail: A Young Person's Guide to the Great Outdoors by Jessica Loy

Stars: ****

Summary: A guide to outdoor fun for kids including camping, hiking, campfire and more.

First a list of topics covered: Camping (planning, packing, setting up, camp chores), safety, hiking, trees, wildflowers, animals, animal tracks, tracking, sounds, weather, rainy days, campfires, eating, games, night, stars and a Master Camper Certification Quiz.

The book is full of colour photographs of real kids, real leaves, real animals and real flowers. It's a nice touch. There is only a little bit of basic information on each subject but if the reader is really into the subject, they could find a book on the subject that goes into it furthur. This would be a good book for children just beginning.

At the back of the book is a quiz to take before you put your name on the Master Camper Certificate.

Links of Interest: Jessica Loy,

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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The Great Camping Event - Day 2: Sleeping in a Sack by Linda White

It's Day 2 of The Great Camping Event. Be sure to check back all this week and next for reviews, giveaways, guest posts and camping info.

Stars: ****

Summary: A little book of camping activities and know-how for children. Covers basics of gear, choosing a tent, camp cooking, camp songs, stars and more.

Sleeping in a Sack is one of many similar books from Gibbs Smith. The others include: Cooking on a Stick, Trekking on a Trail, Fishing in a Brook, Wishing on a Star and more.

The contents are as follows: Living Outdoors, Types of Camping, Choosing Outdoor Gear, Planning Your Trip, Selecting a Campsite, Setting Up Camp, Camp Chow, Camp Skills and Pleasures, Green Camping and Packing List. The age group this book is made for is too young to camp themselves but a child interested in helping their parents plan and get ready for a camp would enjoy the information in the book. There are also activities to try both at camp and before camp. There are two symbols to show when an activity requires the use of a sharp instrument or is a burn hazard. Ricky the Raccoon also adorns the pages with helpful info and tidbits. The whole book is littered with cute little illustrations which really make the book pop.

My favourite activity is a Camper Clean-Up Kit. I didn't make it because at our Guide camp, the number of campers has been low so the girls leave their toiletries (bathroom items) in the bathroom. But the Camper Clean-Up Kit is great for those who still have to bring all their stuff with them. It's made out of a towel and has pockets for holding toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, brush etc.. and ties around the waist so it's hands free and one part of the towel is used as a towel. It's great!

I found the book to be a good introduction to camping for kids ages 8+.

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

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A Jaunt Through Capstone Publishers

I Love Capstone Publishers. Their books are perfect for classrooms but also great for kids who love nonfiction or fiction that still teach. Their books list interest level and reading level and most of them are perfect for reluctant readers.

From their FAQ:

Capstone is the leading publisher of preK-12 children’s books for libraries and classrooms. Our authors, artists and designers create rich experiences—from nonfiction, fiction and picture books to interactive books, audio books and literacy programs—which ignite kids’ passion for learning. 

I received some books to get a feel for what they offer but I assure you, my praise and excitement is genuine and would still be there if I had bought the books myself.

Growing a Garden by Mari Schuh (Garden Series)
Stars: ****
Summary: The very basics of starting a garden for preschoolers-Grade 1. (The rest of the series covesr all types of gardens, animals in the garden and tools for the garden.)
Review: This is the perfect introduction to gardening, especially for early readers. While the book would appeal to PreK-1, it's listed as the reading level of K-1. It seems a bit more like 1-2. However it's a great introduction. Features real photographs.
Excerpt: "When the soil feels dry, it's time to water the garden. Water in early morning. Then more water soaks in to the soil."

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Birthday Parties and Celebrations by Sarah L. Schuette (Happy Birthday Series)
Stars: ****

Summary: What are birthdays? What are they all about? For PreK-2, covering what happens at birthday parties. (The rest of the series covers birthday cakes, customs around the world and party games.)
Review: A cute introduction to birthday parties. It includes photos of real children at real parties. The children are from different cultures and different ways of celebrating are covered.
Excerpt: "A birthday party means celebrating with friends. Emma and her friends eat pink cake."
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Camouflage Clues: A Photo Riddle Book by Megan Cooley Peterson (Look, Look Again Series)

Stars: *****
Summary: A fun way to learn about camouflage. Full of photo riddles a child would love. (The rest of the series covers mystery animal tracks, what's the shadow and guess what's growing.)
Review: I love this. Even I had hard time finding the animals in some of these photos. The others, although I could see it, I could see most kids not. They will be amazed by how well the animals and insects blend in to their backgrounds. It's learning and fun at the same time. They can take the book and challenge their friends to find the animals too.
Excerpt: "The forest is filled with lots of spots - spots to hide, spots to rest, spots to eat, jump and play. I trot through the trees and tall grasses, munching on leaves, twigs, and acorns all day. Where am I?"
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Hip-Hop Dancing by Kathryn Clay (Dance, Dance, Dance Series)
Stars: ****

Summary: Does your child want to know what Hip Hop dance is all about? Marketed to PreK-2, K think it would be enjoyed by K-3. Find out some basics including some basic moves. (The rest of the series covers Ballet, Jazz and Tap dancing.)
Review: I don't know if too many youngsters are interested in Hip Hop but if they are, this would be a good book. The text is fairly simple  and spaced out nicely for the older readers who are reading it themselves. The book has real photos of real kids dancing Hip Hop. A few moves are shown: toe drag, locking, top rocking, and a drop and kick out.
Excerpt: "Drop down like you're doing a push-up. Then kick your legs wide. This move is called the drop and kick out."
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A Polar Bear's World by Caroline Arnold (Caroline Arnold's Animals Series)
Stars: ****

Summary: What is a Polar Bear's World like? Where do they live? What do they eat? What do they do? How do they raise their young? These questions and more are answered in storybook format. (The rest of the series: Bald Eagle, Kangaroo, Killer Whale, Koala, Moose, Panda, Penguin, Platypus, Walrus, Wombat and Zebra)
Review: This book is a great introduction to polar bears for young children but may be a bit long for the K crowd. The illustrations look like pieces of paper cut to shape and then layered. Other animals pictured have their name near them and there are polar bear facts peppered throughout in addition to the text.
Excerpt: "By late fall, the ocean freezes again. Now the polar bears can go back on the ice. Sharp claws and leathery pads keep their feet from slipping. When the bears come to the edge of the ice, they leap into the water. Splash!"
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Giant Pandas by Lyn A. Sirota (Asian Animals Series)

Stars: ****

Summary: A PreK-2 guide to Giant Pandas. Including: life in Asia, their look, eating and drinking and staying safe. (Rest of series covers Bengal Tigers, Camels, King Cobras, Orangutans and Rhinoceroses.)
Review: It's a great beginner book about pandas. It covers the basics and has full colour, full size photos that I just love. The words are clear and spaced out well for beginning readers.
Excerpt: "Pandas' main meal is bamboo. These big bears also snack on grass, fruit, and small animals."

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Big Mouths by Catherine Ipcizade (Big Series)
Stars: ***

Summary: What animals have big mouths and how do they use them? From big to bigger to biggest. (The rest of the series is Big Boats, Big Bugs, Big Buildings, Big Dinosaurs, Big Pets, Big Predators, Big Roller Coasters and Big Trucks.)
Review: The book was a bit short and simple for me but I donated it to a teacher who runs a math program for kids ages 3-6. One of the topics they cover is the use of words such as big, bigger and biggest which the book contains.
Excerpt: NONE

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That's just a sampling of the nonfiction. There are tons of kids chapter books on all sorts of subjects as well as nonfiction I didn't even cover. They even have some Spanish language books.

I highly recommend Capstone, especially for librarians and educators.

Nibbling on Einstein's Brain by Diane Swanson

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2009)
Children's Nonfiction
160 pages
Ages 8+

Summary: Science affects every part of our lives. It can determine the foods we eat, the clothes we wear even the video games we play. But how do you tell the good science from the bad? - from annickpress.com

I really enjoyed reading this book. It discusses the difference between good science and bad science and helps you learn to determine the difference. The book examines 3 ways science can fool us:


Science Watch - how science can go wrong
Media Watch - how reporting can confuse or misrepresent science
Mind Watch - how the human mind can muddle science. 


The book also contains an introductory chapter and a chapter called Winning Strategies which will help you hone your science understanding skills. 


What's bad science? The book examines things such as fake research, poorly trained researchers, flawed methods, weak data, incorrect analysis or incorrect conclusions. (That paragraph explained with the help of page 14)


The book has a Your Turn section to see if you understand the material.  I think the book would be great for kids who love science and want to understand how research works and why you can't believe every study you read. 


The media section was the most interesting and the most eye opening and one I think all adults could benefit from. For example:

"Even facts that are well researched and accurately reported can mislead the public if they're not well explained. Suppose, for instance, that some dreaded disease attacks 1 person in 10. One hear that, people might immediately assume that they have a 1 in 10 chance of dying from this disease, not just of getting it." - pg 64


"Suppose, for instance, that researchers discovered Dozy Drops candies increased the risk of fainting from 1 in 10,000 to 3 in 10,000. You might spot a headline that read "Sucking Dozy Drops Triples Risk of Fainting." True, but very misleading. If you did not know the actual, ridiculously low figures, you might avoid Dozy Drops like poison." - pg 70


"If you dress like a doctor and act like a doctor, it doesn't necessarily mean you are a doctor. Yet some TV, magazine, and newspaper ads show professional looking men and women in white coats raving about a product. "A medicine you can use with confidence," they say, holding up a flu remedy. "This is what I recommend." Companies that run ads like these aren't claiming to have a medical researcher as a spokesperson. But they're likely counting on you to think that's the case and buy their "medically approved" products." - pg 75-76

Highly Recommended

Links of Interest: NONE

Other Reviews: NONE YET

Buy Nibbling on Einstein's Brain at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews