And you thought Brazil was in Africa

You hear it all the time: today's education system is failing our youth. Foreign countries are overtaking us in the key areas of math and science; high school graduates are reading at a sixth-grade level, if they're lucky; and knowledge of U.S.--no less world--geography is at an all-time low. And that is only the tip of the iceberg. Of course, there's no one solution to the crisis, but a good place to start is by supplying your offspring with the gift of knowledge in the form of The World Almanac for Kids 2007, and its sister publication, Yo! I Know, Brain-Building Quizzes.

With 3,500,000 copies in print, The World Almanac for Kids must be doing something right, and the latest edition boasts new sections on magic, volunteering, and technology--plus more "On-the-Job" interviews. There are science experiments, homework help tips, a Sudoku puzzle, and games. Kids will be up-to-date on all things "Hurricane" with a Disaster section that includes Facts About Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Names, records, and the science of tornadoes. It's even possible to meet a meteorologist from New Orleans in the "On-the-Job" interview section.

The ever-popular "Faces and Places" chapter is populated with action photos of top athletes from professional sports and the Olympics, plus mini-posters of standouts like the NBA's LeBron James. Also featured are screen and stage celebrities (Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, music sensation the Black-Eyed Peas, and key cast members from "High School Musical") and significant events from the news (the swearing in of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and the funeral of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks).

This almanac also knows how to be funny and smart, as it contains twice as many jokes as ever before. (Why is Alabama the smartest state? Because it has four A's and one B!) There also is fascinating information on hundreds of topics, from "American Idol" to Zimbabwe, with everything else in between--Camping to the Environment, Books to Birthdays, Dancing to Flags, Sports to Nations, and Fashion to Disasters.

From "Kids Who Made History" to "Greek Gods," more fresh topics are to be found in Yo! I Know, Brain-Building Quizzes. Written by the World Almanac for Kids editorial team, the book has in-depth quizzes covering 20 educational and fun themes, complete with encouraging feedback that ranks readers' responses. There are questions concerning "How Things Work," "Weird Words & Phrases," "Manners Around the World," "U.S. Presidents," "Gross Foods," and "Top Kids Movies of All Time."

Moreover, boys and girls can find their inner gods and goddesses by comparing their own personalities to those of the mythical Greeks, learn which weather disasters match their tempers, and discover "What Bug Is Most Like Me?"

Both publications have more than 300 full-color photos and illustrations throughout. The 352-page World Almanac for Kids 2007 is available in hardcover ($21.99) and paperback ($12.99). The 112-page Yo! I Know, Brain Building Quizzes comes in covered spiral ($9.99). Visit www.worldalmanacforkids.com for more information.

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COPYRIGHT 2006 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning