Collins Children's Encyclopedia

A paperback edition of an encyclopedia first published in 1992 and most recently revised in 1997, this will provide a useful desk reference for homework and school projects. At $9.99 it is certainly good value, but at a mere 272 pages it can hardly do more than skim over the surface of most topics. Organized thematically rather than alphabetically, this has the advantage of presenting related subjects together; the disadvantage being of course that you cannot find answers quite so quickly but must rely on the index. A reference section at the end provides listings of statistics (highest mountain, longest river etc) as well as potted biographies of a slightly odd selection of writers, artists, thinkers, leaders. Do not expect detailed coverage of British history - Elizabeth I warrants no more than a brief appearance in the reference section, while the Tudors do not even make it into the index. The British Isles has a double-page spread devoted to it - twice the amount occupied by China. As a first port of call to look up information, this encyclopedia will provide the basic facts, but for more in-depth coverage or to whet the appetite of a curious child there are better and more visually enticing single-volume encyclopedias on the market.