As parents (or grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc), this is the time of the year that many of us are thinking about what gifts to give to the kids in our lives. But as I look at my daughter's bedroom overflowing with toys, I cannot help but wonder--- do we really need more TOYS!?
Instead, I find I like to mix things up by adding in some non-toy gifts as well. Still, I want their gifts to be fun and exciting too!
For the kid who loves STEM, National Geographic Books are the perfect solution. I was recently given the opportunity to check out some Stem-tastic books!
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About the Books:
Brain Games: Experiments (ages 8-12, paperback) - Based on the hit National Geographic TV show Brain Games!
Discover what makes your mind tick. Explore the secrets behind smell, taste, touch, and vision. Find out how to trick your friends into thinking they taste something they don’t. Then turn the tables as you try to outsmart your own brain. Put your own mental powers to the test with tricky quizzes, optical illusions, and more. Learn about phantom sensations as you make your brain think your nose is six feet long! Each kid-friendly experiment is paired with step-by-step instructions, vibrant photography, and intriguing explanations of the neuroscience at work. Mind-blowing topics include:
* Senses: Test your powers of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.
* Brain and Body: Explore how your mind knows where your body is, how to play brain games with your friends, and secrets behind superhero super poses.
* Thinking: Challenge your memory, strength of the hive mind, puzzle power, mind-reading abilities, and concentration.
* Reactions: Put your reflexes to work to catch, dodge, check snap judgments, and more.
Just Joking Science (ages 8-12, paperback)
Who says science can't be silly? Just Joking Science features 300 science-themed jokes that are scientifically proven to leave kids laughing. Jokes about all kinds of science stuff―kooky chemistry, funny physics, dinosaurs, space, and more―is combined with fast STEM-centric facts and 10 stories of real-life scientific experiments that are almost too wild to believe. Sized just right for Christmas stockings, back packs and back seat/holiday travel boredom busting.
Featuring more than 200 extraordinary illustrations and photographs, detailed diagrams and infographics and a winning combination of comprehensive articles that do a deep dive into outer space research, fast facts and first-hand accounts from experts, Can't Get Enough Space Stuff is the ultimate book for space enthusiasts. This book covers it all -- get the scoop on space food, space junk, space volcanoes and NASA's future plans for reaching Mars and Europa. Learn about how scientists are looking for life on other planets, cutting edge space technology, mind-blowing black holes and the International Space Station. Hands-on activities you can try at home are a terrific resource for STEM studies and science fair projects.
Break Down: Explosions, Implosions, Crashes, Crunches, Cracks, and More ... a How Things Work Look at How Things Break (ages 8-12, hardcover)
This book explores how things break down, crack, explode, crumple, and shatter. This fun, unique take on a how-things-work book explores the world through the lens of what it takes for things to, well, not work. In these vibrantly illustrated pages, you’ll peer through the smoke and rubble of controlled demolitions to discover the properties of building materials. Then get a glimpse of the inner workings of a cracked cell phone screen, peek carefully at mega-avalanches and sinkholes, and hold on tight as wrecking balls swing and car crushers crunch metal. Buckle up with crash-test dummies and travel back in time to explore the world’s most famous failures (looking at you, Leaning Tower of Pisa). Featuring hands-on activities that walk kids through their own experiments in destruction, Break Down! will change the way you look at the world.
Izzy Newtown and the S.M.A.R.T Squad Series (ages 8-12, hardcover) by Valerie Tripp
Join Izzy Newton and her five brainy buddies in this fun three-book FICTION series, where science and tech reign supreme!
It’s not easy making the jump from elementary school to a middle school with 900 students. but for the S.M.A.R.T. (Solving Mysteries And Revealing Truths) Squad, it’s all about relying on the value of friendship and the power of science to help them think their way through all kinds of sticky situations. And when middle-school mishaps happen, the Izzy and her five friends (the S.M.A.R.T. Squad!) use their collective skills and the power of STEM to bring order to their school.
Check out all three titles in the series here:
Book 1: Izzy Newtown and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: Absolute Hero
Book 2: Izzy Newtown and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: Newton's Flaw
JUST RELEASED! Book 3: Izzy Newtown and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: The Law of Cavities
Meet the characters, check out the Readers and Educators Guides and read the first chapter of Book 1 HERE.
My daughter enjoys STEM (and loves National Geographic Kids), so we were super excited to check these all out for ourselves.
First up, Brain Games: Experiments! What kid doesn't love science experiments? I know I certainly did as a kid, as have both of my children. Even the simplest of experiments can be so much fun for kids of all ages. This book has loads of fun experiments to try, and we cannot wait to get around to trying them all. (Or a lot of them at least!) We had never personally watched the show that inspired it, but it didn't keep us from enjoying the book in the slightest! I can only imagine that kids who do watch and are fans will enjoy it all that much more!
Next up, Just Joking: Science. My daughter loves a good joke just as much as she enjoys a science experiment, so she was really excited about this one as well. She couldn't wait to break it open and make us laugh. In addition to the jokes though, there are some short facts so it's still both fun AND educational.
Can't Get Enough Space Stuff is perfect for... well, the kid who can't get enough space stuff! And don't we all know a kid or two like that? This fun book is packed full of interesting information about all things space. As with all National Geographic Kids books, there are a ton of stunning images that draw the reader in...and so much to learn and discover too!
Break Down is quite the unique one in our collection. We have a lot of books about science and how things work... but this may be the only one that really talks about explosions and crashes and such! This is definitely one that many kids are going to really enjoy!
And finally, Izzy Newtown and the S.M.A.R.T Squad Series! As much as we love our non-fiction National Geographic books, we sure do love fiction around here too. I am always on the lookout for good chapter books for my daughter to enjoy...and these fit the bill. While she hasn't finished these yet, my daughter is enjoying this cute series so fan!
If you have a child who loves STEM, there is sure to be one (or more) book in this selection that they would LOVE to find under the tree this year!
See more from National Geographic Kids and connect at the links below:
- National Geographic Kids Books twitter - @NGKidsBks
- National Geographic Kids Facebook - @nationalgeographickids
- National Geographic Kids website: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
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