Raise your hand if you remember, as a child, sitting through a science lesson while staring blankly into a textbook. The best pages were always the ones with pictures on them; they just made the subject come alive more than any words could ever do.

Part of Everyday Learning’s objective is to make learning FUN! The world is an exciting place and there’s so much we can see, do and learn about during our time here. While it is always fun to go out and see things for yourself, sometimes the closest we can get is through a book.

One of the well-known series regarding science is the Magic Schoolbus Series. Mrs. Frizzle is always doing crazy things, such as turning her bus into a bee,  diving under the sea or exploring the human body. There’s even a television series! You can always count on Mrs. Frizzle to teach you all sorts of interesting things about science.

Two of the problems I have with this series is that the books put in so much information, it really is hard to read aloud to younger children. I often find myself having to skip some of the highly informative information boxes, just because it all adds up to too much. Another issue I’ve heard from homeschooling parents is that these books are about, well, school. A child who has never been to school just might not understand or emphasize with the characters the way a traditionally-schooled student has.

Even if your children do go to school, it is fun to have books that show kids having adventures (and lives) outside the classroom. Hey, Mom and Dad! You’re cool, too…even if your mini-van doesn’t float down the Nile River.

There’s a great series of science books for younger readers that we’ve just discovered…The Adventures of Riley. These books combine photograph and illustrations, giving the reader a real sense of the subject they’re learning about. These books still pack a punch of information, but it is in a much more digestable for younger students way than The Magic Schoolbus.

The premise is that Riley, a young boy, lives a normal life until he gets a letter from his Uncle Max. Uncle Max is always travelling the globe and he invites Riley along with him. Both parents and kids learn a lot of information in these books, without feeling bogged down. We had the chance to check out South Pole Penguins and loved learning tidbits of information about our penguin friends.(Their poop! It is pink!)

My 5-year-old couldn’t stop raving about the cute (and cuddly) penguins in the picture.

If you’re looking for a fun science books for younger readers, check out The Adventures of Riley. It packs an information punch without being overkill.

One lucky reader will win a copy of South Pole Penguins! All you have to do is leave a comment with the ages of your children (make sure you leave a valid email address!) and you’re entered! We’ll close the contest on Saturday, October 3. Thanks for reading and good luck!