Science on the Go

 Summer is a time for exploration, whether you're heading to the beach or going camping or exploring the local park. Here's a trio of books from National Geographic Kids that are sized just right for taking along.

Quiz Whiz 5: 1,000 super fun mind-bending totally awesome trivia questions
by National Geographic Kids
176 pages; ages 8-12 (or older)

Tired of playing "I-Spy", the roadside Alphabet Game, twenty questions? Then you need to tuck this into your travel bag for the next road trip. It's got more than 1,000 brain-tickling questions, jokes, and trivia that relate to just about any topic.

Going to the beach? Challenge kids with questions about sharks and shells and ships. There's sports trivia, movies and lots of animal questions. And there are answers at the back... so everyone can learn something new.

 Myths Busted! 3
by Emily Krieger; illus. by Tom N. Cocotos
208 pages; ages 9-12

We all know that pterodactyls are dinosaurs... right? After all, they look like dinos, and they lived at the same time. But - this may come as a shock - pterodactyls aren't dinosaurs at all.

Each page - or spread - quotes some common knowledge which, it turns out, is a myth. Stuff like the fact that Twinkies can sit on a shelf for ages and never go bad, or storing batteries in the freezer makes them last longer. Turn the page and ... BUSTED! There, in black and white (or brilliant color) the myth is dispelled and you get the story behind the story. Speaking of stories - these would be great to share around the campfire.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2016
by National Geographic Kids
352 pages; ages 8-12

I know the page my kids would flip to first would be titled "That's Gross!" - unless they came across the otters. Or lynx. Or the turtles or the penguins or the robot playing a xylophone.

There is so much cool stuff crammed into the pages of this almanac: timelines, quizzes, freaky facts. You can't get bored no matter how many states you drive through. For kids with mobile access, there are free digital extras: videos, photo galleries, and games. Which makes this an ideal take-along for trips to the laundromat, sibling sports practices, or one of those "I'm bored, nothing to do" days.

Speaking of "on the go" ~  Archimedes Notebook is taking a break from blogging for a few weeks. You'll still find  Wordless Wednesday photos posted each week, and  Friday posts will resume in late August.

Today's review is part of the STEM Friday roundup. Drop by STEM Friday blog for more science books and resources. Review copies from the publisher.