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Jumbo Minds' Science ABCs: ABCs of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics Review by Jodi Galland and Jacquelin Caffey

A.C. Lemonwood
JumboMinds, Inc.
6740 Pittsford Palmyra Road, #1153
Fairport, NY 14450
http://jumbominds.com/

Jumbo Minds was founded by sisters with a love of science and education. They have made it their focus to introduce children to science concepts at an early age in hopes of kindling a fire for STEM learning. Science is all around us and children are eager to learn even before the primary years.

Jumbo Minds' Science ABCs include ABCs of Biology, ABCs of Chemistry, ABCs of Earth Science, and ABCs of Physics. Science ABCs are a gentle introduction to scientific terms like absolute Zero, Potential energy, Asteroid, and Habitat. Each letter has a two-page spread. On the left corner is the letter in capital and lower case. In the center of the left page is a vocabulary word and immediately below that, there is a short definition, followed by a longer, more detailed definition. The font used is OpenDyslexic 3 for increased readability. It's a funky little font which may be a reading aid for some dyslexics, but is also just fun to look at for anyone. The right page has a simple illustration designed to spark curiosity and encourage conversation.

You'll find a page at the end of each paperback book with five activities to reinforce the vocabulary within the pages. Some of these hands on projects involve food or toys. You'll have nearly all the items on hand. At most, you'll take a trip outside or to the playground. One of our favorites, is the explosive, messy amusement of elephant toothpaste.

Several related coloring pages are available on the website. You'll also find Jumbo Minds' video channel there. You can even view some of the activities being conducted.

The Science ABCs series of books are packed into a tiny bundle. Each one is just over 5 inches square, making them ideal to pop in a diaper bag, backpack, or even your purse. We took these with us often in the car or read hem together while big brother had Tae Kwon Do lessons. They are truly unique in the market. I think you'll find, like we did, that older children will enjoy them just as well as your preschooler. Savor these books with your little ones and spark their imaginations.

—Product review by Jodi Galland, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, December, 2016


Another Reviewer’s Perspective:

So I have to tell you that I love getting new books in the mail! Especially when they are science books. Recently we received a set of four science books filled with the ABCs of for each of the major science disciplines. The titles are: ABCs of Biology, ABCs of Chemistry, ABCs of Earth Science, and the ABCs of Physics. Don’t let the compact size of the books fool you though. Each of these books packs a punch.

You have probably gone over the ABCs with your little ones using the standard A is for Apple, B is for Ball, and C is for Cat, right? Well now you can throw a little twist on it and expand your young child’s mind and explore how A can also be for Atom, B is for Bacteria, and C is for Condensation.

You may be thinking that your young child can’t learn such technical terms as the ones presented in each book but research has shown that young children’s brain cell connections are growing exponentially when presented with new information. This is especially true during what’s known as the explosive brain growth period, roughly between ages 18-36 months. Introducing these science terms now and presenting it in a fun and colorful way helps to share the language of science.

Each book features a double page spread with each letter described and a colorful picture. The thick and glossy pages are written in a large font with colorful featured letters. The word is then defined in simple terminology beneath with a short paragraph describes the word. The right side of the two-page spread has a colorful picture depicting the word. I love the way the picture fills the page and how engaging the pictures are. My children and I spent time discussing the pictures in depth because they are so detailed.

One of my 2 year olds favorite picture to talk about was from the Physics book for the letter Ii for Inertia. It is defined as the resistance to change in motion and depicts a bicycle rider hitting a big rock and flying over the bikes handlebars toward a body of water. My son loves this picture and will talk about it at great length. In turn I am able to talk with him about how the boy on the bike was wearing a helmet to protect his head, about the color of the bike, and what was happening to the boy, etc. Each picture in all four of the books have led to great discussion in our house. My youngest daughter, who is newly 7, especially enjoyed looking through all of the books pictures and asking many questions. Several times I found her in bed at night reading these books by flashlight when it was lights out time.

Another great feature of each book are the family activities included in the back. Each book gives you five activities to get hands-on action in each discipline. With activities like making a DNA model or a tornado model out of used soda bottles there are plenty of opportunities to have fun and learn at the same time. Each activity also refers back to the vocabulary words in the book where applicable. For example, one of our favorite activities is to make Elephant toothpaste which refers back to the R is for Reaction page.

All in all, these are great books that I am so glad we were blessed to receive! I think they would make the perfect gift for your budding scientist and I know I will be purchasing a set of these to give to my younger cousins for Christmas. You are never too young to be exposed to great science. These books make it possible!

—Product review by Jacquelin Caffey, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, December, 2016

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