• My Wish Lists

My Cart
Menu
Browse
Account
Menu
New to Homeschooling Schools & ESAs Our Consultants Catalogs Blog Free Resources Videos Common Questions Contact Us Quick Order

Encyclopedia of Animals

SKU
014569
ISBN
9780756619725
Grade 2-8
These icons are designed to help you quickly understand and learn important information about our products.
Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.
Encyclopedia of Animals
Our Price
$27.99 $27.99 $19.50
Rainbow Savings: $8.49
Add to Wish List

Description

Although most Dorling-Kindersley books are known for their gorgeous photography and eye-catching layouts, this encyclopedia is downright amazing. It is packed to the gills with close-up photos of mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians, with plenty of fascinating details on every one. The first part of the book presents general animal topics, including classification, senses, communication, camouflage, birth and growth, habitats, ecology and much more. The second part of the book, which is the largest portion, presents over 2,000 animal species, organized alphabetically by common name. I love this aspect, as it makes it very easy for children to look up the animals they are familiar with, whether they are dogs or penguins. A variety of species for that general name are presented within, so children can see the diversity that exists within each animal group. Most topics and animals are given a two-page spread which features a mix of general text, captioned full-color photos and illustrations, and often a striking, full-page photo of the animal as well. Fact boxes scattered throughout offer a succinct list of information on animal family, habitat, distribution, food, and approximate size for each group of animals. Although enjoyable purely for browsing, an index and glossary are also included. This "feast for the eyes" could easily capture the attention of your resident animal-lover for hours! 376 pgs, pb. Jess

Category Description for Sassafras Science

Sassafras Science Adventures is a fun, Charlotte Mason-inspired, hands-on science program from the publisher of Elemental Science. It follows the Sassafras Twins on exciting around-the-world adventures with their eccentric Uncle Cecil and his lab assistant, a prairie dog named President Lincoln. Through an engaging story, children discover that science is anything but boring!

The premise is simple: read a story, perform experiments, and keep a log. This living books approach combines rich narration, real experiments, notebooking, copywork, and discussion to help students develop a genuine love for science while building strong observation and thinking skills. It works especially well for multi-age learning.

Sassafras Science Curriculum Components

Each semester-long Adventure requires three core components:

  • Reader: The heart of the program, it is a lively story that carries the science lessons as the twins travel and explore.
  • Guide: Provides chapter summaries, discussion questions, vocabulary, encyclopedia suggestions, experiment instructions, copywork & dictation, additional activities, and more. Includes an appendix with reproducible pages for family use.
  • Scidat Logbook: A consumable student notebook where children record observations, color maps, draw illustrations, complete copywork/dictation, and document experiments and projects. The Logbook becomes a beautiful record of your child’s journey!

The Scidat Logbook is not reproducible, so you’ll need one per child. A fair amount of writing is involved, making this program slightly more intensive than some other Charlotte Mason-style science curricula. Younger children may need parental help.

Available Adventures by Volume

  • Volume 1: Zoology
  • Volume 2: Anatomy
  • Volume 3: Botany
  • Volume 4: Earth Science
  • Volume 5: Geology
  • Volume 6: Astronomy
  • Volume 7: Chemistry
  • Volume 8: Physics

Sassafras Science is an excellent choice for families who want living-books science that is engaging, memorable, and gently rigorous. It’s perfect for fostering a true love for science in a multi-age homeschool!

Browse all Sassafras Science Adventures, including Readers, Guides, Scidat Logbooks, and complete Sets below!

Details
More Information
Product Format:Softcover Book
Grades:2-8
Brand:Dorling Kindersley
ISBN:9780756619725
Length in Inches:11
Width in Inches:8.5
Height in Inches:1
Weight in Pounds:3.25
Ages:9 - 12
Edition:Illustrated
Pages:376
Publication Date:9/6/2013
Videos
This product doesn't have a video
Reviews
Product Q&A
Don’t Just Google It: Building Better Search Skills with Books

It seems that kids these days have it easier when it comes to finding information. Just google it, and bam, there’s the answer! They don’t have to drive over to the library and pull large reference volumes off the shelf just to find the answer to a question or do a quick fact-check. Google is a fact of modern life and is almost essential to our lives as adults. But before our kids start googling, which is inevitable, we can teach them to be good searchers of information outside of the internet. This is an important skill to develop, and it usually means searching through physical books first!

March 10, 2026 Edited March 11, 2026

© 2006-2026 Rainbow Resource Center, Inc.
Terms of Use Privacy Policy