Everyone is also asking me for a list of children’s books on evolution, and it’s always hard to come up with any titles. I am now saved: Charlie’s Playhouse has a list of 89 kids’ books on evolution!
You know, Darwin Day is coming up, and we could create a new tradition of educating young’uns on 12 February…
Educate them only on that one day? Darn. Now I have to take back all those educational toys I just bought…
Well, the IDiots think Feb. 12 is the day for treating rank bilgewater as equal with science. That Darwin could show Paley to be wrong, yet they have no obligation to answer Darwin.
After all, what’s “academic freedom” with any academic standards? The academy apparently is the opposite of freedom, and it should be overthrown or totally bowdlerized. Now that’s freedom, the prevention of education! So say many 3rd graders, and the DI.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/6mb592
Rumours abound about the Dawkman writing a child’s book too.
Thanks so much for this informative post. I have six grandchildren three of whom are old enough to appreciate these excellent books. Now I have a ready-made birthday gift list.
A most excelent post. I have a seven year old boy and I need this type of resource to combat the ‘Plague of christian insanity’ that shows up from his grand-parents every xmass. They give him books and movies(in front of me) that are written for the express pourpose of prositilizing to young minds. It is hard to take away a book that grandma gave him and substitute something that is in line with what we would like for him to read but it must be done to combat the lode of crap that arrives for xmass. This post has given us options for the book exchange at home after the holiday season.
Thanks sooo much.
Charlie
Haven’t checked the list yet, but I have to recommend Darwin and Evolution for Kids, by Kristan Lawson. It’s got clear and concise, easy to read copy, 21 activities, and of course, pictures. I also like that the author takes on Dog… I mean, god and creationism.
This would also be a great book for adults who don’t understand evolution, because, even though it’s a kid’s book, it doesn’t talk down to them.
I love that place! I bought some of my grandsons (the ones who are being homeschooled) a play mat that explains evolution. I also got my college son a T-shirt that says “Product of Natural Selection”, which he wore for the family Christmas dinner.
On a slightly related tangent, did a list materialize out of this science-book 400-commenter?
I’m only asking because, er, I can’t bring myself to buy “Animals Charles Darwin Saw”. (“See medium ground-finch run. Run medium ground-finch run.”?)
This list looks great! I wish I’d had it 6 months ago when I was looking for stuff for my daughter, but it’s here now…
Her birthday’s in Feb. too, at the end of the month; she’s getting the giant timeline play mat as well, either from us or her grandparents.
I got Jay Hosler’s “The Sandwalk Adventures” for xmas and was waiting for the right moment to spring it on my kids. That came last night – we let our eight-year-old stay up reading, and while he’d loved “The Hobbit”, he admitted that “The Fellowship of the Ring” was a bit too much for him right now.
So, I passed Sandwalk along… and he comes down 45 minutes later, laughing and telling me how much he’s enjoying it, which never happens. Sa-weet. :->
Oh no! Do I sense an impending War on Darwinmas?
Seems like there’s a little too much tying Darwin to evolution. Sure, he came up with the idea, but it was an idea just waiting to be discovered, and it’s come so far since then that it just seems unwise to erect a cult of personality around him. Too much easy ammo for the other side.
I have written a childrens’ book on atheism that has recently been published in Sweden to popular acclaim (but low sales…). It’s named “God probably doesn’t exist”. If anyone can recommend me to a British or American agent so that I can get it published in English I would be very grateful. The book has it’s own web-site, but only in Swedish so far.
Wow, the vitriol on this site is amazing…no one can say you’re losing the war due to lack of zeal for your cause….Question – there is a famous neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, Johns Hopkins – do any of you have any thoughts on him? He has won some awards, mentors kids, all-around good guy, cutting-edge surgeon, and yes – doesn’t believe in evolution. How can that be? Maybe one of you experts can provide some insight on how his faith/belief system is so negative. Possibly explain how he might better himself, through atheism, or belief in evolution. Seems one doesn’t have to believe in evolution to be a top-notch surgeon. No doubt he understands the concepts – but point is – evolution has very little application to applied science, medicine, etc. Would Dr. Carson’s life have turned out more positive if he hadn’t been brainwashed with those belief systems you find so detrimental to society? Check him out – he’s spoken at some national science gatherings…is an inspiration to a lot of young people…Try to answer the questions about the doctor, instead of attempting to educate me on evolution, I know it will be hard. Cheers.
Would those be pre-school books?Sorry guys, but I think there is a real problem trying to ‘educate’ children about evolution….it just ain’t nature for the young ‘uns. (and for most adults!)
sorry…. I meant to say, ‘natural’
(damn this lack of edit function)
What war?
You’ve answered some of your own questions right there, Rico.
I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not. He’s entitled to his own beliefs, and is he’s not undermining science education in favor of religious dogma, then I for one have no quarrel with him.
One great book I didn’t see on the list: Evolving Planet, by Erica Kelley and Richard Kissel. I bought it for my 9-year-old for Christmas.
The pictures are fantastic, and the text does a good job conveying important but commonly neglected concepts, like the role of variation and environmental change in evolution.
Bruce Hood: I don’t agree at all. It was perfectly natural for me. But, although I was raised as a christian, I wasn’t raised as a creationist. I think evolution is only counterintuitive for those who were.
Posted by: Rico @ 14 “Wow, the vitriol on this site is amazing…no one can say you’re losing the war due to lack of zeal for your cause….”
What vitriol, dude? It’s just nice conversation! I don’t think that word means what you think it means. Your post is the first sour note so far.
Thank you for this list!
I’ve been wanting to buy my lil sister some educating books to help her along with her fascination with animals. These will do wonderfully for her soon-to-arrive birthday.
“He has won some awards, mentors kids, all-around good guy, cutting-edge surgeon, and yes – doesn’t believe in evolution. How can that be?”
Possibly because his belief in ancient superstitions makes him afraid to follow science to its conclusion. Or he just doesn’t know about biology. It happens.
“but point is – evolution has very little application to applied science, medicine, etc.”
I’m guessing you’ve never actually asked an evolutionary biologist what applications their fields have. Ever heard of antibiotic resistance?
“Would Dr. Carson’s life have turned out more positive if he hadn’t been brainwashed with those belief systems you find so detrimental to society?”
Perhaps. Does that really have any implications on whether evolution is true or now?
“Try to answer the questions about the doctor, instead of attempting to educate me on evolution, I know it will be hard.”
Education is a horrible thing, I agree.
I was glad to see the Eyewitness: Evolution book on the list. I bought that one for myself. I have bought several others from the series (Primates, Early Humans) and some of the same publisher’s “adult” books on animals. The snippets of information make for good ready-reference and just entertaining browsing.
Wonderful! Gives me hope to a brighter future. I had only heard of a couple of those titles before.
I’ve also heard Dawkins is writing a book on evolution for kids (for which age, I do not know yet)…
Ah Nemo…With respect, the evidence suggests otherwise. Children are not inclined to evolutionary explanations. Read Margaret Evans, Paul Bloom or better still my forthcoming book on the topic.
http://brucemhood.wordpress.com/about-supersense/
You know what I want? A book, about evolution, without Darwin in it. Yes, that’s exactly what you read, a book without Darwin.
Evolution is a concept that is simple, much of the beauty of evolution is exactly this simplicity. But everyone seems to focus on Darwin, on how Darwin did this and that. This is not the focus, he has brilliantly deduced this sets of rules that made everything we see today, but for a complete understanding we don’t need to use his name, or even cite animals or living beings.
My approach would be to make people understand and agree with the mechanics of evolution before getting them to know what they are agreeing with. After the first step is well understood, we then talk about life, competition and finally Darwin as a big ending.
I was referring to the general tone of most of the blogs here when I used vitriol. and in general, while maybe war was too strong a word, the struggle for young people’s minds, through books, media, blog sites, etc. – and the pro-God/Anti-God, pro-evo/pro-creation camps seem to be more polarized than ever. The battle in the courts with creation/evo/teaching/books is commonplace in many states – it is a significant battle. The govt. has funded many science programs/curriculums/etc. specifically intended to battle creationism. Some evolutionists, for sure PZ, believe that the prevalence of creationism in our country is a major black-eye, and a litmus of lack of science education in our country. Most creationists don’t connect one’s belief in origins with applied science. Many creationists function quite well in science fields. ReyFox – observing that bacteria become resistant to certain antibiotics is an overstated evolutionary example. One can apply that knowledge whether we evolved or were created, and if bacteria did not become resistant, that wouldn’t disprove evolution either. It is similar to pointing out that the average height of certain groups of humans has slightly increased over time. That is not evolution. (macro) Your right, Dr. Carson’s faith has no implications on the evolution debate – my point was more intended toward PZ’s intense anti-God position. His vitriol would lead many to believe a belief in God results in nothing positive. I would be interested to hear if he would be able to say anything positive about Dr. Carson. Of course, the real question is – what is historically true?