Popular Science Children's Review - The Dinosaur Magnet Activity Book

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Review - The Dinosaur Magnet Activity Book - Jill Sawyer

I really don't want to sound like I'm moaning, because I liked some aspects of this book, but it sometimes seems that, in doing children's reviews, I'm covering less and less books and more and more gimmicks. It's as if the wonder of science, well presented in words and pictures, isn't enough - and I don't believe that. This is a board book with four (yes, just four) two page spreads and a final two-pager of dinosaur information boxes, a bit like a set of dinosaur top trumps cards but on a page.

The gimmick here is the magnets. In the front of the book there are 11 dinosaur magnets ('chunky dinosaur magnets' it calls them in the PR) that can be positioned on the different scenes to complete them, with hints as to which dinosaurs you can place where and answers at the back. It's harmless enough, and would make a reasonable gift, and I've nothing against the use of magnets per se - I can imagine some really exciting science books including these - but there just wasn't enough in this book, certainly not in a book that costs around £10, even for the 5 to 7 age group it has been targeted at.

Only in hardback

Reviewed by Brian Clegg

* Our age range recommendation is an estimated guide, but individual readers outside the range could still enjoy the book!

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