Big Book of Science and Nature

My favorite science book of all-time is The Berenstain Bears’ Big Book of Science and Nature by Stan and Jan Berenstain.  How can you resist learning science with the Berenstain Bears – especially from Professor Actual Factual, the Foremost Bear Scientist of His Time (as featured on the book cover)?

This is a big book – actually a compilation of three books.  But the entire thing is fun to read, fun to explore, and fun to study the pictures.  The Berenstains’ wrote the book in their typical rhyming rhythm, which is quite a feat considering the science they cover in this book.

The first book is an almanac, covering the calendar and seasons.  There are plenty of pictures, and few words on each page.  As the topics get a bit more complex, so do the pictures and number of words on each page.  But all of it features the familiar faces and antics of Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear.

I particularly like the part when Papa teaches the cubs about matter.  They discuss what matter is, then Papa Bear says, in his usual, not-so-humble way,

What is matter?  I’ll tell you – I’m a science whiz.  It’s just about everything there is!

My copy of  The Berenstain Bears’ Big Book of Science and Nature is well-worn and well-loved.  My children read it over and over again – and still enjoy looking at it.   If you’re looking for it in a used book store, keep in mind that it was previously published under the title The Berenstain Bears’ Science & Nature Super Treasury. Whatever the title, this book belongs on every child’s bookshelf.