Review by Booklist Review
Alluring monochromatic screen prints and miscellany make up this oversize compendium of general knowledge. Its selective yet broad scope results in an eclectic mix of topics, ranging from the history of musical notation to Mohs' scale of mineral hardness to semaphore. This book leads with aesthetic, using a clean, balanced design and poster-quality illustrations that favor diagrams, charts, or infographics. With the exception of a sprawling two-page depiction of the Earth's tectonic plates and time zones, each subject is presented with the text on the left-hand page and a full-page illustration on the right. Containing a total of 30 topics, coverage is expectedly shallow and for more complex topics, like atomic structure and the golden ratio, the concepts aren't always clearly conveyed but Platt still manages to pack in a lot of information and fascinating factoids. It's designed for browsing the lack of source notes precludes it from report writing but readers will undoubtedly glean knowledge from its giant pages and, perhaps, be inspired to seek out more information on one of the many wonders presented here.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-True to its title, this oversize volume briefly covers everything from knot types, atomic structure, and music notation to rivers, Roman numerals, and standardized paper sizing. Text is offered on the verso, with an image on the facing page. Screen-printed illustrations rely on single colors and greatly enhance the superb material. Unfortunately, the work lacks an index and is haphazardly organized. Information on the human skeleton, for instance, is nowhere near sections on organs. VERDICT An attractive, browsable collection of interesting facts. Of limited use as ready reference or for school reports, but a fine gift book, suitable for display on coffee tables and in waiting rooms.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This eminently browsable, nearly poster-size book is a self-described "essential miscellany of fascinating facts." Platt devotes double-page spreads to thirty wide-ranging topics, from knot types to music notation to human organs to the Periodic Table. Brown's screenprinted, monochromatic illustrations are stylized infographics preceded by informative text that will appeal to all ages and may inspire further, more systematic research. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
