The New Book of Knowledge: 3/C (3/C)

An illustrated encyclopedia with articles on history, literature, art and music, geography, mathematics, science, sports, and other topics. Some articles include activities, games, or selections from classic tales.

The New Book of Knowledge (NBK) articles are designed to be engaging to young readers: in Skunk, there is information on what to do if and when you meet one, and Codes and ciphers shows kids how to make their own secret messages. Sidebars containing "Wonder Questions" ("What is El Nino?" "What was the Northwest Ordnance?"), "See for Yourself" ("How to make a dew point apparatus"), and other features supplement the text and involve readers in projects designed to help them do hands-on research. Lewis and Clark expedition provides good explanations of the reasons for the journey and the results but doesn't say how many miles the explorers logged--something that might make kids marvel.

Some of the material needs updating. The article on libraries still tells students how to use the card catalog, with no mention of OPACs. The Democratic Republic of Congo is still entered under Zaire. Codes and ciphers makes no mention of computers. Material about global warming is disbursed among various articles about environmental topics, making it difficult for users to find the information. An article on this topic of great interest would be helpful for young users. Drawings, photographs, and maps are colorful, attractive, informative, and plentiful. The placement of guide words at page bottom runs contrary to usual reference publishing practice. The index is helpful in indicating main entries in bold type and listing separate page references under the headings map(s), picture(s), and profile (short biographies). For 2001, more than 40 new and replacement articles include Ecology, Emotions, Middle Ages, Poetry, and Zebras. Revisions were made to many entries, such as Clinton, William; Drugs; Ecology; Political parties; and Ranch life. Biographies of 79 "famous people" were added to survey articles, such as Middle Ages. Also new are 465 new photos (360 in full color) and 62 pieces of full-color art.

The "Wonder Questions," activities, and teachers' guide that come with the print edition are also part of the online edition. There are links to Web sites and EBSCO periodical articles from magazines like Ranger Rick and a searchable children's dictionary and thesaurus. The longer articles have a table of contents, so users may click and go to the section that they need. Articles may also have links to Facts at a Glance, flag (for countries), photos that may be enlarged to show detais and captions, and maps, all of which may be found in the print set (although there are additional illustrations found only in print). NBK News stories and related lesson plans are updated weekly (with one summer update) and tie current events to related encyclopedia entries.

NBK will be useful in libraries serving younger children, although it may not be the first choice when dollars are tight. REVWR
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