National Geographic books help get the kids excited about careers: "Things to be when you Grow Up," "You Can Be a Paleontologist!" & 'Ultimate Explorer" [Review & Giveaway]

It's never too early to help kids learn about the variety of career opportunities that await and get them excited about their future.

100 Things to Be When You Grow Up (ages 8-12, $9.99) by Lisa M. Gerry

ISBN: 9781426327117
Softcover $9.99
National Geographic Kids
Ages 8-12

My thoughts:  This is a delightfully colorful book just brimming with attention grabbing graphics that will intrigue, interest, and entice young minds and hearts about what people do when they grow up and what they, too, can become. The amount of information on each is great and not above the intended targeted age of reading audience. While the attitude presented about each job is positive and sounds interesting, I like that a serious tone is also achieved as needed.

Photography is, as it always is in a National Geographic publication, amazing. The nuggets of factual information about the wonderful opportunities that await upcoming generations of adults is great.

About the book: From beekeeper to ice-cream taster, forensic psychologist to Hollywood animal trainer, conservation biologist to Chief Happiness Officer, this book features 100 of the coolest, wackiest and most amazing jobs out there (greeting card maker?? Yes, you can!). Hands-on projects, advice from National Geographic explorers, interviews with experts, weird-but-true facts and tips for aligning your interests and personality to your job and more, this new book in the popular "100 Things" series is a great way to get kids thinking creatively about career paths.

You Can be A Paleontologist!: Discovering Dinosaurs with Dr. Scott (ages 4-8, $16.99) by Dr. Scott D. Sampson

ISBN: 9781426327285
Hardcover $16.99
National Geographic Kids
Ages 4-8

My thoughts:  This is a well done, attractive, and interesting book for young readers to learn about dinosaurs and the people who have careers discovering dinosaurs - paleontologists. The author recounts his early interest in fossils and dinosaurs as a young student and goes on to instruct the reader in easy to understand language the ways paleontologists go about finding, digging, and preserving fossils.

Interesting things I found in the book include: 1) You can tell the difference between a fossil and a rock with your tongue. 2) Fossils tend to break up and roll in bits downhill so you follow the residue uphill to find the source. 3) Dinosaurs still exist - they're called birds. 4) Paleontologists dig for fossils of plants, sea life, and mammals.

The book though intended for ages 4-8 could surely be of interest to older students as well giving them a kick-start read for more detailed information in other sources.

About the book: Dr. Scott Sampson, the expert host of Dinosaur Train on PBS Kids, author of How to Raise a Wild Child and real-life hill-hiking, dirt-digging fossil hunter takes young readers into the field to look for dinosaurs. Along the way, kids will learn all about how to find and dig up fossils, how they are removed from the field and prepped in the lab and then how paleontologists put the fossils back together into the dinosaurs they know and love. Lastly, Dr. Scott encourages kids to follow their dino passion and become a paleontologist themselves with tips, hints and advice from the heart.

Ultimate Explorer Guide (ages 8-12, $14.99) by Nancy Honovich, foreword by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Lee Berger

ISBN: 9781426327094
Paperback (stiff/flex cover) $14.99
Ages 8-12

My thoughts:  There are 160 pages in Ultimate Explorer Guide that are in three basic categories: Land, Sea, and Sky. In other words, the three basic components of this wonderful world in which we live. Explore the tidbits of information about the tropical rain forests, the grasslands, the tundra, and deserts of the world. Not only will the reader read, and see fabulous pictures, about the land, sea, or sky themselves, the reader will learn about the animals and various critters that make each of these their home. The reader will learn about the ancient past, the present, and the future. The beauty and glory of land, sea, and sky. The people who study and explore. 

Tucked away in the back of the book is an index, glossary, a fun career quiz, and a list of publications and websites for additional information. I recommend this book to engage young readers in science, career opportunities, and an interest in the world in which they live. Suitable for home, classroom, and libraries.

About the book: Through its storied history, National Geographic has inspired generations of explorers. Take a trip to their headquarters in Washington, DC and you will see photo after photo of amazing people exploring every corner of the world. The Ultimate Explorer Guide features National Geographic Explorers of all kinds including paleontologists, biologists, photographers, artists, writers, activists and conservationists that is sure to get kids to explore, discover and create their own adventures. In addition to fascinating first person stories and advice, the book also features “Help wanted” vignettes outlining career paths, hands-on activities and experiments; scientific explanations and fun facts and ideas for simple actions kids can do now. Broken down by land, sea and air sections, readers will marvel at the feats of the world’s most famous explorers as they unearth ancient mummies and lost treasures, encounter wild animals and learn how to protect their habitats, and shoot for the stars with the latest technologies in space travel.

GIVEAWAY ~ 3 WINNERS

1 copy of 1 book per winner

Begins May 8

Ends May 29 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

Randomly selected winners may select the book they would most like to receive. They will be sent that book if another winner has not responded with the same request prior to their request. Therefore, winners will be asked to list the 3 books in the order they wish to receive the 1 book they won. If  that book has not yet been selected, they will receive their 1st choice. If their 1st choice was previously selected by an earlier responder, they will receive their 2nd choice, etc.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of each book from MMPublicity on behalf of National Geographic to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.