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Pick Me Up - Stuff You Need To Know...
Teens, parents, teachers, and readers of all ages: It's time for a reference-book revolution! And PICK ME UP is here to do just that-revolutionize the way kids and teens learn about history, science, nature, and culture outside of the classroom.
Taking cues from the internet, video games, and television, PICK ME UP appeals to modern kids and teens. The book is organized like a miscellany, inspired by the internet, styled like a video game, and informed by pop culture. It's filled with fun information about history science, nature, geography and culture-everything kids want and need to know.
On page 42, you can find the meaning of life! What would do more damage to a kitchen floor: a lady in stilettos or a 3 ton elephant? Pg. 117 reveals the shocking answer. Was Beethoven a punk? Check pg. 21. There are 885 native speakers of Mandarin Chinese. But how many people speak Bangali? See pg. 54. How many new species of fish are discovered each week? Report to pg. 203 and find out. What would a Viking girl post on her blog? Pg. 64 makes some excellent suggestions.
Kids need reliable, captivating reference books, but reading remains a hard sell. Instead of fighting against the multimedia diversions of the modern world, the creators of PICK ME UP chose to offer kids a book that mirrors that world. With a completely fun and modern design, a dizzying lenticular cover (because readers DO choose books by their covers!), and smart, witty writing, PICK ME UP appeals to voracious AND reluctant readers.
351 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2006
12 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
David Roberts
168 books58 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
David Roberts was born in Liverpool. He always loved drawing from an early age and couldn’t wait to escape high school and go to art college. There he developed a keen interest in pottery and fashion and went on to study a degree in fashion design at Manchester Metropolitan University. After university he worked as a milliner and began to get work as a fashion illustrator but always felt his true calling was in children’s book illustration.
He signed up with Christine Isteed at Artist Partners in 1995 and has never looked back since. So after working as a shelf stacker, egg fryer, hair washer, film extra and coffee-maker David finally realised his dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator when his first book ‘Frankie Stein’s Robot’ written by Roy Apps was published in 1998. This book was shortlisted for the 'Mother Goose Award' for emerging illustrators.
Since then he has illustrated works by some fantastic authors such as Philip Ardagh, Daren King, Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson, Tom Baker and Chris Priestley. David considers himself privileged and lucky to be doing a job he loves. His most recent works include ‘Iggy Peck, Architect’ by Andrea Beaty, ‘The Troll’ by Julia Donaldson and ‘The Dunderheads’ by Paul Fleischman which was shortlisted for the 2010 Kate Greenaway Award.
David is also the creator of the ‘Dirty Bertie’ character about a little boy with bad habits such as picking his nose and trumping loudly!
David now lives in London.
David Roberts was born in Liverpool. He always loved drawing from an early age and couldn’t wait to escape high school and go to art college. There he developed a keen interest in pottery and fashion and went on to study a degree in fashion design at Manchester Metropolitan University. After university he worked as a milliner and began to get work as a fashion illustrator but always felt his true calling was in children’s book illustration.
He signed up with Christine Isteed at Artist Partners in 1995 and has never looked back since. So after working as a shelf stacker, egg fryer, hair washer, film extra and coffee-maker David finally realised his dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator when his first book ‘Frankie Stein’s Robot’ written by Roy Apps was published in 1998. This book was shortlisted for the 'Mother Goose Award' for emerging illustrators.
Since then he has illustrated works by some fantastic authors such as Philip Ardagh, Daren King, Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson, Tom Baker and Chris Priestley. David considers himself privileged and lucky to be doing a job he loves. His most recent works include ‘Iggy Peck, Architect’ by Andrea Beaty, ‘The Troll’ by Julia Donaldson and ‘The Dunderheads’ by Paul Fleischman which was shortlisted for the 2010 Kate Greenaway Award.
David is also the creator of the ‘Dirty Bertie’ character about a little boy with bad habits such as picking his nose and trumping loudly!
David now lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 20, 2015
This book pretty much shaped my childhood. It brought out the science within me and I couldn't ask for a better non-fiction book! All the information was beautifully presented and I strongly recommend this to any person young or old and I'm sure that they will find it enjoyable! To be honest the only bad part about this is that at the back of the book, it says Put Me Down!
October 8, 2023
Interesting variety facts for kids and adults alike. Fun, dimensional cover. Great coffee table book for the family.
May 21, 2008
I learned so much in a short time from reading this book. The whole family enjoyed the design and interesting format. We literally couldn't put it down.
September 3, 2011
So cute. . . a little hard to explain. Let's call it a "stream of consciousness encyclopedia of everything." Yes. There. That sounds right! If you're confused by this, then Pick It Up! See for yourself. It's quite informative, and adorably cheeky
February 18, 2009
This book is packed with awesome eye candy. I wouldn't use it as a reference resource. I would use it as a library of ideas for presenting information.
January 30, 2011
I'm still kinda reading this, because it's kind of a fact book, where you would just jump around, and with no real order to it.
August 3, 2017
I love this thing.
May 11, 2008
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
Gone are the days of boring, cumbersome, and, ultimately, not all that helpful encyclopedias. The new king of interesting resource information is here, and it's called PICK ME UP. Everything you've ever wanted to know about just about anything (and maybe even some stuff you didn't even know you wanted to know!) is included in the 300+ pages of this book.
Although there are eight actual categories included in PICK ME UP--Science, Technolgy, and Space; Society, Places, and Beliefs; History; The Natural World; People Who Made the World; Arts, Entertainment, and Media; You and Your Body; Planet Earth--this book is actually hard to categorize. There are numerous ways to find the information you need, from browsing one of the aforementioned categories, to cross-referencing individual pages, to using the index, or simply picking a page at random to begin your quest for knowledge.
For instance, did you know that Albert Einstein's brain was actually different in width and shape than those of us who claim to be not-so-smart geniuses? It's true! Or how about the fact that the Vikings were expert ice-skaters? Or even that a "jamon" is an entire leg of ham--the best of which comes from a pig who has been fed nothing but acorns. Seriously, I'm not making any of this up! It's all there, right in the pages of PICK ME UP.
Amazingly enough, my nearly ten-year-old son, who usually has to be tied to a chair and threatened with having his video games taken away to even look at a book, found plenty to hold his interest within the pages of PICK ME UP. Sure, he seemed to have a knack for finding the weirdest and grossest facts inside the book, but to me this was still considered an accomplishment. Take my word for it--PICK ME UP is the reference king, and you'd do well to add a copy to your home library. Who knows? You just might learn something.
Gone are the days of boring, cumbersome, and, ultimately, not all that helpful encyclopedias. The new king of interesting resource information is here, and it's called PICK ME UP. Everything you've ever wanted to know about just about anything (and maybe even some stuff you didn't even know you wanted to know!) is included in the 300+ pages of this book.
Although there are eight actual categories included in PICK ME UP--Science, Technolgy, and Space; Society, Places, and Beliefs; History; The Natural World; People Who Made the World; Arts, Entertainment, and Media; You and Your Body; Planet Earth--this book is actually hard to categorize. There are numerous ways to find the information you need, from browsing one of the aforementioned categories, to cross-referencing individual pages, to using the index, or simply picking a page at random to begin your quest for knowledge.
For instance, did you know that Albert Einstein's brain was actually different in width and shape than those of us who claim to be not-so-smart geniuses? It's true! Or how about the fact that the Vikings were expert ice-skaters? Or even that a "jamon" is an entire leg of ham--the best of which comes from a pig who has been fed nothing but acorns. Seriously, I'm not making any of this up! It's all there, right in the pages of PICK ME UP.
Amazingly enough, my nearly ten-year-old son, who usually has to be tied to a chair and threatened with having his video games taken away to even look at a book, found plenty to hold his interest within the pages of PICK ME UP. Sure, he seemed to have a knack for finding the weirdest and grossest facts inside the book, but to me this was still considered an accomplishment. Take my word for it--PICK ME UP is the reference king, and you'd do well to add a copy to your home library. Who knows? You just might learn something.
December 7, 2013
LIBS 642 Junior Book Log
Informational
Source: Textbook pg. 294
Finally, an encyclopedia for the modern age that doesn't require internet access! Pick Me Up- Stuff You Need To Know is a wonderful reference book that engages readers with its vibrant visuals, connects content on every level and displays information in a ways that is original and creative. Fun, useful and and usual facts are displayed in a unique way that doesn't fit the mold of alphabetical order, but instead is organized by strange connections drawn from fact to fact. David Roberts has created a book of facts that can be picked up and read and from any page without the reader ever wanting to put it down! I was very please with this fantastic twist on an the idea of an encyclopedia, as it pulls readers in with its provoking title and holds them it with its clever style and artistic nature. I would definitely recommended this book to students of all ages who are looking for a great read as well as an opportunity to absorb knowledge while having fun. I would really recommend that all elementary school teachers consider this book as one to have in their classroom library, especially as a "Pick Me Up" for students who left their chapter books at home and just want to get in a good read!
Informational
Source: Textbook pg. 294
Finally, an encyclopedia for the modern age that doesn't require internet access! Pick Me Up- Stuff You Need To Know is a wonderful reference book that engages readers with its vibrant visuals, connects content on every level and displays information in a ways that is original and creative. Fun, useful and and usual facts are displayed in a unique way that doesn't fit the mold of alphabetical order, but instead is organized by strange connections drawn from fact to fact. David Roberts has created a book of facts that can be picked up and read and from any page without the reader ever wanting to put it down! I was very please with this fantastic twist on an the idea of an encyclopedia, as it pulls readers in with its provoking title and holds them it with its clever style and artistic nature. I would definitely recommended this book to students of all ages who are looking for a great read as well as an opportunity to absorb knowledge while having fun. I would really recommend that all elementary school teachers consider this book as one to have in their classroom library, especially as a "Pick Me Up" for students who left their chapter books at home and just want to get in a good read!
March 23, 2017
SOOOOOO interesting! I got this book as a present when I was 9 or something, and I remember just flipping this book randomly and soaking in the information - each page is different and includes a different topic, from cars to "what if history alternatives" or animal biology or food facts. I still pick it up (ahah) on occasion and it's amazing how much I still remember. The book hasn't dated (much) and the best bits are like the alt history or the facts or imagination pieces. Very creative like when World Superheroes are reinvented as Superheroes and yet you still learn things, in a fun jokey way. (Russia becomes a bear thing with ice rays or something + actual facts, and America is an Eagle whose powers include being the top commercial producer worldwide).
March 6, 2008
This is a fabulous kids reference book. There are three ways to read this book. You can look in the table of contents for general sections. You can look in the index for specific topics. You can just randomly flip to any page. When you get to a spot on the page that has a bold and underlined word, a page number will come right after it. That means that you can flip to the new page and learn more about that word. Stream of Consciousness learning at its best.
July 12, 2009
Despite the title, I never really picked it up that much. It is crammed full of interesting information, but it's a little younger than I thought it would be.
Pretty much the only thing it did was get Take It Off by The Donnas stuck in my head every time I saw it, which was often, as it was right in front of my couch!
Pretty much the only thing it did was get Take It Off by The Donnas stuck in my head every time I saw it, which was often, as it was right in front of my couch!
March 23, 2015
Wonderful format that injects new life and sparkle into old subjects; a very original concept! A densely informative book wrapped in pop art. Definitely recommend as a starting point for those wanting to learn more about the world around us!
November 16, 2020
This is an excellent encyclopedia, supposedly for children but great for all ages. The illustrations, designs and infographics are top-notch. I had hours of fun browsing through all the fun facts and ideas in here.
September 28, 2007
This book has an irresistible cover. It inspired me to create a book display at my library called "Books to Judge by Their Covers".
October 2, 2007
RIVETINGLY FUN BOOK TO FLIP TO A RANDOM PAGE!
Read
October 22, 2008it still lives at the art store down the street.. so i have to read it there for now..
July 10, 2008
this book has so much information and its not boring like other encyclopedias
Currently reading
December 31, 2008random.
May 28, 2009
It's okay. A lot of pictures =)
Read
October 11, 2009Yes, I enjoy books for children. Already I have learned that stallions are the only male mammal without nipples. Who knew?
February 16, 2010
THIS IS AN ENCICLOPEDIA. BUT IT'S ACTUALLY INTERESTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28, 2010
Some of the pages were over done... too much text and too many images. There were a lot of fun facts though!
October 19, 2011
This book is very interesting. It is very nice to read when you are bored or need a neat spelling word!
October 23, 2012
This book was so very confusing to me.
November 7, 2012
It was an utterly AWESOME book. I've read it a million times, and I notice something new hidden in the pages every time.
December 16, 2012
This book I found at a thrift store. I absolutely had to buy: I could not put it down. This is a totally random book of facts and is a total treat. It has a fitting title
March 26, 2014
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVED IT AND I STILL DO.
I've actually read it a few times, but I don't ever really get bored of it. Very entertaining.
I've actually read it a few times, but I don't ever really get bored of it. Very entertaining.
January 22, 2014
I love the design of this book. Bright colors, random subjects, and just a whole lot of interesting and informative fun.
July 3, 2014
AWESOME! Just Amazing! So much info!!! :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews