I love books and reading, and so do my two children. My daughter will read any book that she can get her hands on. I am especially fond of the non-fiction title from National Geographic Kids, a number of which have places in our home library. When recently offered the chance to review copies of 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up, Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties, and National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas from National Geographic Kids in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library. All three titles make birthday-worthy gifts for young readers!
100 Things to Be When You Grow Up
Recommended for readers between the ages of 8 and 12 in third through seventh grade, 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up is part of the 100 Things to series. The full-color 256-page paperback book explores 100 of the coolest, wackiest, and most amazing jobs and careers for grown-ups from astronaut and zookeeper to ice cream taster and game maker. With hands-on projects, advice from National Geographic explorers, interviews with experts, weird-but-true facts, and tips for aligning interests and personality to jobs, the book offers a great way to get kids thinking creatively about the future. The book currently costs $7.40 on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.
With her work appearing in publications such as Ladies’ Home Journal, USA Weekend, and Woman’s Day and websites such as LearnVest and HelloGiggles, author Lisa M. Gerry is a writer and reporter who began her career at National Geographic Traveler magazine. She is also the author of books such as 100 Things to Do Before You Grow Up, 100 Things to Make You Happy, 100 Things to Know Before You Grow Up, and Puppy Love.
Both my two-year-old and five-year-old love flipping through the pages of 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up. My oldest, who already has a long list of things that she wants to be when she grows up, has added even more potential occupations to her future career goals after reading the information in the book. The photos throughout the book are bright and engaging. The text is written for slightly older readers than my first grader, but she can still get through most of the information on her own. 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up is a big hit in my house!
Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties
Recommended for readers age 9 and up, Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties features cats from around the world with amazing stories to tell about compassion, ingenuity, and bravery. The full-color 160-page hardback book of the Stories & Poems series offers collection of tales of playfulness, friendship, heroism, and inspiration is sure to touch the soul, tickle the funny bone, and inspire cat lovers everywhere. “Ask an Expert” sections throughout the book offer insight into understanding the curious world of cat behavior and other tips for cat owners. The book currently costs $9.33 on Amazon with a list price of $12.99.
Longtime contributor to National Geographic Kids magazine and a former teacher, author Aline Alexander Newman is a lifelong animal lover who has written more than 50 magazine stories about animals. She is the co-author of the National Geographic books How to Speak Dog and How to Speak Cat. She and her husband along with their rescue dog Moose currently divide their time between an old farmhouse in northern New York and a seasonal camp in the Adirondacks.
With two cats running around our house, my family loves felines! Both my kids were thus incredibly excited about Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties. The book tells the stories of some awesome, caring, adventurous, hardworking, and curious kitties. Some of the stories are a little sad at times, but all the cats lived extraordinary lives and triumphed in the end. My daughter loves reading the story of each cat, and my son loves looking at all the kitty photos. I read the entire book in one sitting. Cat Tales is a huge hit in my household!
National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas
Recommended for readers between the ages of 8 and 12 in third through seventh grade, National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas blasts kids into space to explore the solar system and beyond through an out-of-this-world atlas that takes readers through maps of the solar system, the Milky Way, and deep space. The full-color 160-page paperback book offers a close look at and locations of planets, supernovas, and other universes. The book currently costs $9.18 on Amazon with a list price of $12.99.
Currently residing in Massachusetts with her husband, author Carolyn DeCristofano grew up exploring the beach, the woods, and a local pond, all while poking her nose in many a book. When she grew up, she became museum-based educator, STEAM curriculum developer, and non-fiction writer. Her books, which have earned national recognition, are known for lively, vivid metaphors and humor that help make challenging concepts accessible to a wide range of audiences. Her author visits extend the literacy experience with dynamic, creative, and interactive programs. She enjoys learning, traveling, cat-watching, cooking, and knitting and is slowly learning to play the ukulele.
My daughter loves science and especially loves learning about space. My son loves pointing out any moons and stars that he sees in the pages of books and in the sky. National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas is a perfect addition to our homeschool library. Although written for slightly older readers, the book appeals to my first grader. She loves flipping through the pages to look at the pictures and read the information. The non-fiction title provides a perfect reference book for future space and solar system unit studies!
Final Verdict
National Geographic Kids publishes so many amazing titles for young readers, and 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up, Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties, and National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas are no exception! All three books are great for readers in middle school, and all three make excellent birthday gifts. My kids love reading about potential future jobs, amazing cats, and space. The space atlas, especially, makes a great addition to our homeschool library. If you are shopping for a gift for a child in third grade or a little older, my kids and I totally recommend 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up, Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties, or National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas!
Purchase 100 Things to Be When You Grow Up, Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties, and National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas on Amazon via my affiliate links.
Image Credits
Birthday-Worthy Books from National Geographic Kids Books © 2017 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘100 Things to Be When You Grow Up’ © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘100 Things to Be When You Grow Up’ 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘100 Things to Be When You Grow Up’ 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘100 Things to Be When You Grow Up’ 3 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties’ © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties’ 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties’ 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Cat Tales: True Stories of Kindness and Companionship with Kitties’ 3 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas’ © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas’ 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas’ 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘National Geographic Kids Ultimate Space Atlas’ 3 © 2017 Heather Johnson
