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For Kids

Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (16)

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Darwin and Evolution for Kids traces the transformation of a privileged and somewhat scatterbrained youth into the great thinker who proposed the revolutionary theory of evolution. Through 21 hands-on activities, young scientists learn about Darwin’s life and work and assess current evidence of evolution. Activities include going on a botanical treasure hunt, keeping field notes as a backyard naturalist, and tying knots for ship sails like those on the HMS Beagle . Children also learn how fossils are created, trace genetic traits through their family trees, and discover if acquired traits are passed along to future generations. By encouraging children, parents, and teachers to define the differences between theories and beliefs, facts and opinions, Darwin and Evolution for Kids does not shy away from a theory that continues to spark heated public debate more than a century after it was first proposed.

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

17 people are currently reading
87 people want to read

About the author

Kristan Lawson

12 books1 follower
Native Californian Kristan Lawson is the author of several successful travel guides, including Weird Europe for St. Martin's Press, and America Off the Wall: The West Coast. She lives in Berkeley, California.

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5 stars
30 (38%)
4 stars
31 (39%)
3 stars
13 (16%)
2 stars
3 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Chadi Raheb.
530 reviews436 followers
February 2, 2019
چارلز عزیز،
وه که چقدررررر دوستت دارم!
روند تفکرتو، جسارتت رو، تشنگی مداومت برای بیشتر دونستن، پایداریت رو.
و همزمان ضعف‌هاتو میبینم، که تو هم یک انسان هستی با تمام مشکلات و اشتباهات انسانی و پس حواسم هست تو رو متعصبانه نپرستم.
اما چیزی که بودی، چیزی که شروع کردی و برامون به جا گذاشتی رو از ته قلب تحسین میکنم و همیشه احترام زیادی برات قائل خواهم بود.

البته که این کتاب-طبق عنوانش- برای کودکان نوشته شده و من هم چون در این زمینه یک کودک مشتاق هستم، و وحشتزده تر از اونی که مستقیم سراغ کتاب اصلیت برم، از همین پله شروع کردم.
چارلز عزیزم،
امیدوارم روزی پله ی آخر باهات ملاقات کنم و اون روز شاید تو و فقط تو بتونی برام بگی و قانعم کنی که چرا انسان به سرعت تبدیل به چیزی میشه که نباید...
Profile Image for Alicia.
3 reviews
January 31, 2018
I used this as part of a unit study for my 7 yo. She, and I, really enjoyed it. I learned quite a bit as well and my child now has a deeper understanding of evolution than I did last year.
Profile Image for Denise.
Author 1 book31 followers
November 26, 2014
Finding science-based books that hold children's attention can be a struggle. Or at least my children would prefer watching Bill Nye, Cosmos, Walking with Dinosaurs, etc. over reading. I liked that this book presents the information as well as activities. Some are great as rainy day things to do vs. being stuck in front of video games.
Profile Image for niloo.
84 reviews13 followers
July 27, 2023
عالی بود مصخوصا به خاطر اینکه کلی فعالیت مختلف داشت. از بررسی طبیعت و حیوانات گرفته تا آموزش طرز تهیه کیک مورد علاقه داروین:)
Profile Image for Brian Stuy.
51 reviews11 followers
August 15, 2022
What a wonderful book this is. Very concise yet understandably written, the book presents a variety of activities while giving a very interesting brief history of how Darwin put all the pieces together to discover the "Origin of Species." I enjoyed reading every single page. If you have a child older than 10 with an interest in science, get this book.

Profile Image for Janice.
2,183 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2021
Follows Darwin's life, development of his theory and what happened after. Discusses how other scientists helped promote and prove it. Has some activities to do along with the reading.

More for middle grade and middle school.
Profile Image for Elsa.
603 reviews9 followers
July 5, 2025
What a fantastic book about evolution! This does not shy away from the supposed conflict between religion and evolution and in fact mentions it consistently throughout, proclaiming that it is possible to believe in both.
Profile Image for Simone.
100 reviews
June 9, 2017
Excellent resource. I could see this best being used around grade 5-6, the text portion could be appropriate for older kids and even adults would find it interesting and engaging.
Profile Image for Kimberly Brown.
148 reviews
July 30, 2017
My kids loved this book. Great, simple activities that really help deepen understanding of concepts.
1,064 reviews11 followers
December 7, 2017
This book sets a high standard. Some books for kids do a great job of informing adults. Loved it. Still do.
48 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2025
کتاب رو خوندم تا بیشتر با تکامل آشنا بشم فک کنم باید توی ایرانم تو کتابهای درسی مون اینا رو آموزش بدن
البته چون با دین مغایرت داره متاسفانه همچین اتفاقی نمیفته
Profile Image for Stella.
870 reviews16 followers
February 4, 2020
Not really "for Kids" but more like a good teacher or homeschooling resource.
Profile Image for Kendra.
274 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2010
I read this book because I am a Creationist and wanted to see what the other side had to say to children. I would have only given it a 1-star rating, but raised the level because the section containing the biography of Charles Darwin was interesting and enjoyable. The sections I did not like were where the author made it sound like people believing the Bible and professing Creationism were narrow minded and unscientific. The author makes claims that the Bible is wrong, but has obviously not researched her statements as I could see right through them. She also claims that "all" scientists believe in evolution -- this is a false claim as there are many agnostic, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and other scientists who hold reasonable doubts on this issue.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,187 reviews
July 16, 2014
My daughter, age 10, really liked this book enough to have me read it as her bedtime story for a week. She didn't want to do the activities, just read it. It was well written though they format did make it repetitive which got old by the end, for me at least.
198 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2023
کتاب بسیاااااار عالی نخونید از دستتون رفته عاااالیه عالی پیشنهاد میکنم کتاب سرگذشت شگفت انگیز حیات روی زمین که دلایل فرگشت رو بیان میکنه هم مطالعه کنید.از ریچارد داوکینز
https://taaghche.com/book/7475
27 reviews
November 18, 2016
I thought this book by Kristan Lawson was pretty good. I learned a lot an did a lot of fun activities too. I would recommend to anyone who is interested in science and evolution.
22 reviews
June 3, 2012
ترجمه ی سارا هاشمی
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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