Britannica Children’s Encyclopedia was a staple of childhoods until very recent times. I remember thumbing through my own copy and using the CD Rom edition. It was a staple fact-checker for homework but more than that it was a placed where children came across new interests and because of that especially I am delighted to see a new edition.
The section my part of the blog tour focuses on is fascinating because it is focuses on how we go forward from this moment in time into the future.
Today and tommorw. The here and the unknown. This section of the enclopedia could be summarised in two words. It is a story of hope – of what we predict might benefit the planet in the near future – and of fears. Of climate crisis and inequality and a rise in extinction. Although it is written like any other section of the encyclopaedia it is the most speculative with a heavy focus on what science predicts based on current theories and knowledge.
There is also a huge about about the internet and smart technologies and how these have changed human lives. Smart materials, medical technologies and alternative energy forms are also explored, giving an insight into how innovation now drives future change.
Changes in media present interesting facts about misinformation but missed out on an opportunity to explore how reputable journalism looks and how it might benefit citizens in the near future.
This section is, as with the rest of the encyclopedia, layed out in a way which will appeal to the smart phone generation. Square and rectangular boxes on each double page spread contain different chunks of information and make effective and engaging use of photographs, diagrams and information boxes.
- Britannica All New Children’s Encylopedia by Christopher Lloyd (ed.) is available now from Britannica Books. RRP. £25.00 (Copy provided as part of a promotional blog tour)
