Children's books on skepticism

[MatildaGage]

Looking for suggestions for children's books promoting science and/or skepticism...for ages up to 10.

So far I've found....

Maybe Yes, Maybe No

My Magic World--would like input on this one. It was suggested to me but from the excerpts it has me wondering if it's a creationist book in disguise. It quotes Einstein in the beginning but talks about how scientists are baffled about how conditions developed on Earth that happen to support life (red flag if you ask me).

*I didn't know where else to put this thread since it's not a book review. Mods pls move it if it's in the wrong place. TY

 

[psionl0]

I'm not willing to critique books that I have to buy first.

However, for children in the age group that you mention, I would suggest that learning how to classify things would be more important (alive/dead, living/non living, fact/fiction etc). Who knows? Perhaps we could learn things about classifying from a young mind that older minds would not think of.

 

[Malachi Constant]

In another thread someone mentioned "Understood Betsy".

The title is "Understood Betsy". I am willing to bet it is out of print, but you can check. It was written in the early 1900's, and it's about a girl who has been overprotected all her life who moves to Vermont to live on a farm. It's a girl's primer on self-reliance, wrapped up in a story about her life on the farm. Younger than 10, I'd say, would be interested.

You can find it on Amazon and read some sample pages.

 

[MatildaGage]

Interesting...thanks

 

[kittynh]

I've taught preschool. Let's face it the CLASSIC skeptic teaching book is "The Emperor's New Clothes"

I also enjoy "The Paper Bag Princess" as an antidote to the Disney Princess disease. (the kids really like it).

I am currently writing a book about skeptic thinking with one of our Swedish forum members. Ages 3-7 and it will be a fundraiser for the JREF education fund (or scholaship fund for TAM).

Oh, also, this book is excellent because it does a spin on the old big bad wolf... and gets kids thinking a different way....

"The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig".

Joe Nickell has some terrific books for younger children. True life sort of detective stories, or at least that is the way the kids at the school thought of them.

Anyway, stay tuned for "Zigge and Lisa" a children's book that takes place in Sweden (learn some simple Swedish words!) and teaches critical thinking while telling the true life friendship of a dog and a cat that live in Trollhaven Sweden. (Plus goes to a good cause!)

 

[psionl0]

There is a fine line between "critical thinking" and "indoctrination". Choose your books wisely.

 

[Sledge]

Not a book (although there probably are books), but my mother pointed out the other day that Scooby Doo is good for kids. Every week, people panic because of a monster/ghost/whatever, but it always turns out to be someone in a suit fooling people.

 

[Cactus Wren]

My Magic World--would like input on this one. It was suggested to me but from the excerpts it has me wondering if it's a creationist book in disguise. It quotes Einstein in the beginning but talks about how scientists are baffled about how conditions developed on Earth that happen to support life (red flag if you ask me).

Other books from the same publisher

From the company's "About Us" page:

Magic World Media was founded in 2008 by scientists in order to offer children a view into the mysterious ways of life and the universe through books and other forms of media. Our goal is to nurture the imagination and wonder of young children by introducing them to the world that exists beyond the limitations of our senses and, importantly, exposing them to the vastness of what is still unknown. Our books generally place the child at the center of a process of questioning and consider how the individual relates to and is influenced by the universe.

To attract a wider audience than simply those with a predisposition to science, our books are designed to look and sound like mainstream fiction so that they can be easily categorized as general human interest. It is our hope that children who read Magic World books will be inspired to learn the tools of science in their formal schooling and grow into adults who have not lost the ability to make the leaps of imagination required for revolutionary scientific advance.

 

[Drachasor]

To be fair, scientists are a bit baffled. It's not like there's a large sample size of planets available to figure stuff out with (newer telescopes will help). I think it is good for a book to instill a bit of wonder about the universe in children. Imagination and a zest for discovery are very important things for children to acquire as well.

 

[jasonpatterson]

Also not a book, but for very young children (my 3 year old loves them, 5 year old watches them,) Hooray for Huckle (aka The Busytown Mysteries) is quite good. The characters use logic and clear thinking to solve mysteries that pop up in the Busytown (Richard Scarry's books for kids.) There are often 'monsters' that the children figure out, and they aren't Mr. McGreedy in a mask every time.

Just as an example there is an episode with a 'ghost' that appears in the lighthouse window every time it's foggy. The lighthouse keeper and a few of the kids are afraid of it, but Huckle investigates, finds that shining a light on the window causes a ghostly effect, then tests a few different scenarios for the light getting to that window before figuring out that it's a reflection from a mirror. It's goofy enough for the kids to find it fun and it definitely has a skeptical bent to it.

 

[Emet]

I just searched Google for young skeptics:

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Books-for-Young-Skeptics/lm/P7DK3U4TJND7

(FWIW)