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Ken
sage
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 271
Loc: 39 20'N 78 01'W
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Looking for an Astronomy primer for an advanced 8 year old. I'm up over 100 Astronomy texts, and very few, actually none, are really appropriate Astronomy primers for an 8 year old. She reads at an advanced level, and is a year or two advanced in math/science but I don't want something that will be too much for her. My simplest Astronomy text is the Sam Brown " All About Telescopes" which is a bit much yet. She tries though... any suggestions?
Thanks,
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Ken
39N 78W
77 Edmund 6"f6
94 Meade 2045D
02 Edmund Astroscan
02 Questar 3.5
04 Meade ETX-105
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asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2021
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Ken,
100 texts? Wow - you are a virtual library. Can you narrow down what you want your daughter to learn? Most intro books focus on a single or a couple of aspects of astronomy.
Allister
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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THE STARS: A NEW WAY TO SEE THEM by H. A. Rey (yes, the Curious George guy) is a good introductory text for younger folks. You might also try 365 STARRY NIGHTS by Chet Raymo. The text is more advanced, but the drawings are easy to follow.
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Ken
sage
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 271
Loc: 39 20'N 78 01'W
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Jeff, Thanks, I have Rey's "The Stars.....", gave it to her last year. I also have Rey's "Find the Constellations". Have not read 365 Starry Nights, although now that you mention it, I do recall having read a review in one of the magazine's. I will give it a try.
Allister, Good idea to break it down, I'm thinking, first off a basic beginners telescopic observation book, and something perhaps which explains in 8 year old parlance what it is she is looking at. I try, but tend to get a bit too deep too fast. Since she has expressed an interest, I figured some rainy day science books would not be a bad idea.
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Ken
39N 78W
77 Edmund 6"f6
94 Meade 2045D
02 Edmund Astroscan
02 Questar 3.5
04 Meade ETX-105
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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What about maps and charts rather than books to explain objects. They will be very graphic and the information will be limited in its scope (no pun intended ). This would prevent the subject from getting too deep. 365 Starry Nights could be a bit much for an 8 year old.
I'm not sure there are any observing books for that age group. Its mostly constellation stuff. I'm assuming this is your daughter. Why not design an observing program for her. Give her an object each night she wants to observe. Big bright stuff - the moon, planets, large open clusters, etc. Once in a while go back to these things so she remembers where and what they are. Ask her to show you them - kids always love to impress the folks. Actually, you can do a lot of work with the moon by following the terminator. Make games like "where is Jupiter" or "what phase will the moon be tonight."
Maybe buy her her own scope. Its always more fun to play with dad than follow him.  And at that age learning is more hands on than conceptual. To say a sunspot is bigger than the Earth is only good if you have a mental image of how big the Earth is. A 80mm short tube achromat would be good. It shows lots of stuff. Not too big. Cheap. Can be used for terrestrial objects. It looks and works like a "real" telescope, and if she looses interest, you can always use it as a big finder or sell it for another eyepiece (you can always use another eyepiece  ).
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39729
Loc: Phx, AZ
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This can depend so much on the kid and their interest. With that many books you may be able to tailor a "book" for her by tossing different sections from several (you may be on to something and write a book based on her needs ) you all ready have.
I remember being that age and I was twice as smart then as I am now. It was all down hill after 7. If she's advanced she will be able to pick up a lot. What she can't, can be put off till later. But it sounds like you have the bases already covered.
I would love to be wrong, but it's my opinion (please keep in mind I have no kids myself - so this is all based on rosey memories) she is capable of quite a bit. I'm thinking a college text for non-science types - so there is little to no math, would be a great start. Those are usually aimed at the technically challenged so to speak and well within the grasp of any smart kid.
Books written for the average kid of her age will probably not challenge her.
A friend had his boy grind his own mirror (the kid had the interest!) when he was in his early teens. It was measured to have a 1/74 wave front error! He started college when he was 16.
You know her best. Toss everything at her that she'll take and see what that limit is.
When it comes to science many books and schools fall very short and much has to be relearned in college (don't get me going on history!) so if you can avoid that trap she'll be ahead of the game. She'll grow up, get a phd and support you in your old age. Then I'll wonder why I didn't have kids. 
Ron
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12588
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I, like you, own many books. Probably not a hundred yet, but more than half way there. I teach a kids program at the grade school level, so I purchase a lot of books that I think might be appropriate, check them out and incorporate the ones that best fit. This one is outstanding. I've donated a copy to the schools that have invited me to teach a 5th grade all day program. It's listed in my Book Reviews in the Beginner's Reviews. If you haven't seen the article take a hop over there. CN Reviews - Beginners.
Hope you like it. edz
The Reader’s Digest Children’s Atlas of The Universe, Robert Burnham, $24.99, $17.49 used/new Amazon, 128 pgs. 10.75x13.5” hard. This is not a star atlas. It is an absolutely stunning presentation of the science of the Universe, Solar System, deep space, stargazing, constellations, planets and a multitude of other astronomical subjects. Open this book to any two page layout and get immersed in the facts, details, how to, people, photos, diagrams, projects, visuals, and data of so many different aspects of Astronomical Science for every age, you will not want to put it down. Not necessary or intended to be read front to back, but opened to a page, as we all do anyway, and it draws you in. Outstanding Presentation! Should be in every elementary school library. Should be used by anyone trying to show astronomy to children. Buy one for your local school today. A children’s book that adults will love to look at. If you get no other book listed here for children, you should get this one!!
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Ken
sage
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 271
Loc: 39 20'N 78 01'W
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Wil, she has her own Astroscan now, and used the 6" occasionally. Had not seen or heard of the Burnham Astronomy book from Reader's Digest. Will take a look. Thank you everyone for your ideas.
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Ken
39N 78W
77 Edmund 6"f6
94 Meade 2045D
02 Edmund Astroscan
02 Questar 3.5
04 Meade ETX-105
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**DONOTDELETE**
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These aren't quite celestial phenomena, but:
COSMOS: It's more history of science, but it worked for me (both the book and the series).
The Astronomers: As I recall, it's got some good sections, including the design of the first Keck, and Vera Rubin's work on dark matter.
I'm afraid almost all my books are college- and graduate-level texts (galactic kinematics, intergalactic distance ladder, etc).
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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The current (September) issue of SKY & TELESCOPE has an article on astronomical books for children. They recommend UNIVERSE by Robin Kerrod and A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE by Andrew Conway and Rosie Coleman. The Kerrod book is part of the Eyewitness series (if you're familiar with them), and the other is put out by Cambridge UP, so it should be pretty good.
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