Children and the World Wide Web

The Internet has become a widely used tool around the world these past few years. Many homes have more than one computer networked together with internet access. Some people have become so dependent on the ‘net that they would rather do a “google” search to find a local restaurant than use the Yellow Pages. With a simple click of the wrist and a mouse, you can find out what time your favorite movie is showing and even print out a map to get you there.

According to the Computer Industry Almanac, the number of worldwide Internet users topped one billion by the end of 2005. The United States was the leader with almost 198 million internet users, and according to the San Diego’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the number of children using the internet was over 77 million by the end of 2005. What is the significance of these facts and figures and how does it relate to us personally?

Basically this means that more children would rather “play” on the computer and surf the web than watch T.V. or play video games. These kids have instant access to the internet through home, classroom and the library. As parents, there are many things we need to consider when we think of our children using the computer and having access to virtually anything and everything out there on the internet. We want to keep them safe, but we want to encourage the unique opportunities that are afforded them by this ever-growing technology.

Fortunately many children’s book publishers have seen the need to bridge the gap between the written word and the world wide web by promoting a marriage of sorts between the two. One publisher, Usborne Books, based out of England and distributed here in America, has developed a cutting-edge series of 200 books that can be used with or without the computer that are completely Internet-Linked!

What is an internet-linked book?
An internet-linked book contains descriptions of websites that children can visit to take them further into the subject in a fun and informative way. They can access the recommended sites via links the Usborne Quicklinks website located at www.usborne-quicklinks.com .

What is Usborne Quicklinks?
Usborne Quicklinks save time by cutting out search engines, taking readers quickly to carefully researched, safe websites. This is an important factor for parents because it is too easy for a child to do a “Google” or “Yahoo” search and find links which may contain objectionable materials, completely inappropriate for them.

Where can Usborne Quicklinks.com take the reader?
With a simple click, readers have access to over 10,000 regularly reviewed websites, including a pronunciation guides (for foreign languages), a virtual keyboard, downloadable images, tunes to download and play along with, and lots of homework help for children.

Will the websites go out of date?
Some of the web sites change from time to time, so the recommended sites will be regularly reviewed by Usborne researchers, and the links in Usborne Quicklinks will be updated.

Must the reader have a computer to use this book?
It is not necessary to have a computer to enjoy these wonderful books! Each internet linked book stands alone as an outstanding reference book without using the Internet at all. The books contain easy-to-follow indexing and are filled with inviting colorful pictures. Each subject is covered in an “easy-to-use” manner using various learning styles for children of all ages from preschool through high-school.

Usborne Internet-Linked Books are Excellent Tools for Research
Using internet-linked books save time for teachers, parents & students! Each website is age appropriate and includes many links to games, videos, music, coloring sheets, tests, quizzes and other fun learning tools related to the subject matter. Usborne Internet Linked books are the perfect blend of printed text (books) and internet (links) and provide virtually endless opportunities for learning and exploration. There is no subscription charge to using Usborne Quicklinks, although some websites that you visit may charge a fee to subscribe to some of the other educational features listed on their site.

Each website has been hand-picked for children. The links for each page of the referenced book are targeted to the information on that page of the books, and unlike CD-ROMS, the information is always kept up to date. Academic areas include science, geography, history, math, art, music, foreign languages, and other high-interest topics!

Here are a few examples of websites that you can find at Usborne-Quicklinks.com. The name of the book and page number is listed, along with the link to the actual website. Have fun with your children exploring some of these exciting websites!

On page 14-15 of Whales & Dolphins, click on the link to find out how dolphins learn sign language.

http://www.dolphin-institute.org/resource_guide/kids/tdidream/page1.htm

On page 40 of Bugs, visit a site to find out just how yucky roaches can be!
http://yucky.kids.discovery.com/flash/roaches/

On page 44 in Drawing Cartoons, kids can follow the instructions and take a lesson in drawing in perspective. http://www.olejarz.com/arted/perspective/

On page 143 of the World Geography Encyclopedia, visit an unusual website and learn what it would be like to visit a virtual refugee camp.
http://www.refugeecamp.org/

On page 16-17 in Introduction to Music, kids can visit a site that explains about jazz composition and improvisation.
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/

On page 54-55, in First Encyclopedia of History, kids can take a journey on the Oregon Trail and see historic landmarks along the way. http://www.beavton.k12.or.us/greenway/leahy/ot/landmarks.htm

All Usborne Internet-Linked Books can be purchased from Treehouse Books and More, at 5393 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL

The "How and Why" of Non-Fiction Books

When you were a young child, do you remember bombarding your parents with the “how or why” questions of life? Were you curious to know where the water went as it flowed down the drain? Did you want to know how the light switch worked or how popcorn came from those little kernels of corn? I always had that sense of “wonder” when I was a child, yet there were so few good non-fiction books that could answer my questions. Thankfully, that did not hinder my inquisitive nature.

Many years ago my mom purchased this large one-volume encyclopedia for our family called “A Children’s Guide to Knowledge” and I remember reading it from cover to cover. Although it seems primitive in quality compared to the non-fiction books available today, it was the kind of book that would spark my interest in the “who, was, where” questions through out my life. (Note: Although I don’t have the original book that my mom gave me, a few years ago I found another copy of it at a garage sale.)

It was as if I was on a new and different journey each time I picked up that book. When I read about the Seven Wonders of the World, I would be a world traveler. I did get to travel to Europe years ago and will go again someday, bringing my children with me so we can discover some of those “wonders” together. I learned about all the varieties of chickens, cats and dogs and knew I had to be a farmer. I don’t live on a farm, but we own two dogs, one cat and 25 chickens who give us fresh eggs every day. I learned about gardening and flowers and planned to be a master gardener someday. I still love plants and flowers, but the only gardening I have time for now is the weeding, fertilizing and nurturing the minds of my children. Thankfully my passion for books today was fueled when my “how and why” questions were answered by reading books like that encyclopedia. It was merely a spring board for the exciting journeys yet to come.

Most children love a good story, a rousing adventure and a happy ending. I still love to read stories and picture books to my children. Yet I have noticed that many young children, including my own, tend to gravitate towards non-fiction books, just as I did. This made me wonder “why” and how come” and led me to several interesting conclusions.

Children are reality-based in their thinking and are naturally curious about their world. Once they begin to reason in more abstract ways (around the age of 3 or 4), they want to understand more about how things work. Unfortunately, some parents feel intimidated about answering those questions and often they go unanswered because parents do not know which criteria to use when selecting non-fiction for their children.

Fortunately, children’s book publishers have been producing better non-fiction books in response to all these “how and why” questions. One publisher, Usborne Books, has been on the cutting edge of developing excellent quality non-fiction books for over twenty years. Another similar publisher is DK Books. These are the kinds of books which appeal to children of all ages because they have been especially designed to encourage children to want to read.

Several components make a non-fiction book exceptional. Bite-size pieces of text which relate to the pictures on the page will help your child assimilate the information so he will remember the facts. Similarly, having a high picture to text ratio will engage the child’s mind, keeping him focused on what’s being read. Having the information presented in a two-page spread will often help the inquisitive child stay on task. Sometimes children will become overwhelmed and bored with reading if a book is cluttered with too many facts on a page or has extensive text and not enough pictures.

Non-fiction books are also critical to young readers because they provide the perfect segue into independent reading. Young children will often enjoy “reading” a book by just pouring over the pictures. Then as they begin to read on their own, they will go back to that same book with renewed excitement because they can actually read it! Be prepared--there may be times when your child will tell you more obscure facts about a topic than you’ll ever want to know. But that will be a defining moment for your child as you see the lights go on and stay on, and nothing will be able to hold him back!

It’s also encouraging to see that more schools are choosing “content-rich” non-fiction books for the reluctant reader because educators have found that students will read more when the books are filled with information that they’re interested in. The learning process for you and your family is an ongoing continuum, and you will find that best part about reading non-fiction books with your child is that you may discover together the answers to some of the questions you had when YOU were young.

Treehouse Books & More - Quality Children's Books - Jacksonville, Florida