My Big World: Facts and fun, questions and answers, things to make and do

This is a simply splendid, large, modern looking activity book with a bright inviting cover. There is plenty to involve preschoolers and some of the activities would interest slightly older children too.  The book is an excellent introduction to geography and science; young learners are invited to accompany two little characters, Alex and Koko, and three explorers on an adventure to investigate the world around them. Things start from home then branch out to the farm, the town and then to places with rivers, mountains and forests.  Finally, there are exciting pictures and text about outer space with suggestions for some star gazing.  The pages are well designed and alive with vibrant, helpfully annotated art work .  Early on we have a double spread on ‘My Lunch’, showing a huge lunch plate with dotted lines joining each food item to its origin: tomatoes from vines, milk products from cows and chicken legs from a hen.   This leads naturally to pages with some simple lunchtime recipes : fruit kebabs and mini veggie burgers.  It is made clear where an activity needs adult supervision.  Some tasks are familiar, for example those on the Growing of Seedlings pages. And there is a version of the often encountered ‘Spot the difference’ puzzle inviting young readers to point out the small differences between two similar but not identical cross sections of a family home. The many games include a rather nice version of Snakes and Ladders with flowers, bees and dangerous frogs.  Whether familiar or novel all the activities are clearly described, often with numbered stages, and with clear and attractive illustrations. Not all children are lucky enough to have a back garden, but many of the outdoor activities suggested – sketching plants and animals for example – could take place in a park.