Knowledge A Visual Compendium: Making Sense of our World

Gr 5-10–This visually rich and engaging volume explores and celebrates how people have “made sense of the world” through categorizing, classification, and organization. The compendium is structured in six sections, including “Earth and the ­Universe” and “­History and ­Culture.” Some of the topic names seem to overlap and feel redundant, but there is enough differentiation to satisfy the needs of students who might approach subjects from various angles. Some readers may find the pages too busy, but the abundance of information makes up for that and will engage many readers. The subjects range from the familiar—phases of the moon and the periodic table—to the quirky—different cakes of the world and a chart of brassicas (all of the plants that have been cultivated from the wild cabbage). A conscious effort was made to include non-Western ­perspectives. Filled with reproductions, ­infographics, photos, and diagrams set against a white background, this is a browser’s dream. Brilliant colors and an index will help ­curious readers to find their specific ­interests.