An infographic is a visual representation of data or information. Previous examples of infographic books have contained information better represented through graphs or similar than through sentences. These, however, have been aimed at adults and it is lovely to see an example for children. Infographics, furthermore, is an encyclopedia of visual information made by the experts in the business – Britannica Books.
The book is divided into five sections –
- Space
- Land, Sea, Sky
- Living Planet
- Animals
- Human Body
- Human World
It is mildly disappointing that the book focuses so heavily on physics, biology and geography when infographics can be used in any form of knowledge. This does not, however, distract from the strength of the information contained within these sections, the book’s ‘flick ability’ nor from it’s child friendly design. The illustrations, and short passages of text that accompany the graphics appear to aim at 7 – 11 year-olds, but the less familiar graphics will be of interest to older ages.
My favourite graphics – and ones that will appeal to teachers covering climate science – were those that focused on the changing conditions on Earth. A simple graphic that illustrates cooler and warmer than average years between 1971 and 2010 makes the climate crisis undeniable in a way that any written argument cannot. This also illustrates the strength of infographics.
A lovely introduction to infographics and a book that will be thumbed over and shared between friends. This is a must have for any school or children’s library.
- Britannica’s Enyclopedia Infographica is available now from Britannica Books. RRP. £25.00 (received in exchange for review as part of a promotional blog tour)
