Some New Robinson Books
The Robinsons have been busy writing books recently. Four in fact. I’ve particularly enjoyed three of them, written by Levi, my six-year-old son. Here’s a short review of three of his books.
Flip It, Don’t Rip It
Inspired by Dav Pilkey’s Dogman series, Levi Robinson’s Flip It, Don’t Rip It explores the collapse of ancient civilisations and the dynamics of the moon’s orbit around planet Earth. The title is both catchy and instructive. By flipping without ripping the pages of Flip It, Don’t Rip It, Levi's book offers a blend of history and science wrapped in a playful, engaging format.
As one flips from page 3 to page 5, the reader sees an Egyptian pyramid move from being fully in tact to being in a slight state of disrepair. When flipping from page 7 to page 9, one sees the Earth rotate with respect to the moon.
To ensure that the reader avoids ripping the pages while flipping, the author has specified designated sections of the page for the reader to hold with left hand and right hand alike.
While there were some issues with the binding, this book is still a must-read for those interested in the subject matter.
2. How A Boat Works
Levi’s second publication this week, How A Boat Works, serves as an accessible and succinct introduction to the basic mechanics and operations of boats, tailored especially for beginners or young readers. The book breaks down the essential components of a boat in a clear and straightforward manner, making it easy to understand even for those with no prior knowledge of nautical terminology.
The highlights of the book include a clear description of the steering wheel, speedometer, gas gauge, throttle, and the connection between the engine and propeller. Each element is explained in simple language, with an emphasis on how these parts contribute to the overall functioning of a boat.
While the book covers the basics very well, it could benefit from labels accompanying the illustrations to help the reader visualise the parts and processes described.
Nevertheless, overall, How A Boat Works is an excellent starting point for anyone curious about boating. It strips down the complexity of a boat to its most fundamental aspects in a manner that is both engaging and educational.
3. All About The Moon
Robinson's All About the Moon provides a concise and imaginative exploration of Earth’s closest celestial neighbour, written primarily for other six-year-olds. The book opens with the basic lunar cycle, explaining that “one day on the moon is 28 days on the earth.” The author delves into lunar gravity, noting that “there’s gravity on the moon but no air,” setting the stage for understanding the moon’s environment compared to Earth.
Levi suggests that “birds can fly to the moon three times in their life.” While not entirely factual, this statement could spark interest and curiosity among younger children, prompting them to learn more about the actual distances, as well as the challenges of space travel.
All About the Moon is an engaging entry point for children to begin learning about the moon. Its strengths lie in its simplicity and ability to spur imagination. This book is suitable for parents and educators who wish to introduce young children to space in a fun and light-hearted way, with a note to follow up on its creative liberties with more factual information.
Tomorrow’s Post
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, where I’ll provide a brief overview of the fourth Robinson book to come out in the last week, Augustine, Rahner and Trinitarian Exegesis.
