Educational 'gimmicks' great fun

Silver Dolphin books are tangible proof that books for children aren't just books. In recent years, they've morphed into irresistible hybrids that combine the best features of books with the best features of toys and art projects.

Prepare to be impressed and intrigued, just as your children will be.

For the 6- to 18-month-old crowd, there are the "Amazing Baby" board books. "Five Little Ducks" has fuzzy duck fuzz to pat as well as die-cut holes to count. "Rainbow Fun" is bursting with color in overlying concentric circles. Very cool.

"Diggers and Dumpers" is especially for 3- to 5-year-olds who love trucks. The digger, the dump truck and the concrete mixer are heavy-duty cardboard that can be pulled out of the book. Kids easily can add the wheels and stickers. The book stays intact because there's an inside view of the trucks underneath the press-out versions. I didn't know how a cement mixer looked on the inside until I read this book.

"The Field Guide to Safari Animals" by Paul Beck is recommended for ages 8 and up, but I think a lot of 6-year-olds would enjoy it with a helpful adult. There's information about each of eight animals, as well as pieces to assemble a three-dimensional version of each animal. A diorama is included so that children may display their animals any way they prefer.

"Dragons" by Elizabeth Allen (from the Model Masters series) includes a booklet and four plastic dragon models to assemble and paint. "Explore Within a Medieval Castle" by Justine Ciovacco is a three-dimensional presentation. Plastic models reveal the castle layer by layer, with text and illustrations explaining medieval life and photographs of real castles that still exist.

Wondering what to do on the long days of school vacation? These books will be welcome on rainy days and in the long evenings and if you're looking for an excuse to turn off the TV.

One school of thought limits children's books to standard, regular books. Period. For the people who believe in this narrow interpretation, these books published by Silver Dolphin will fall into a forbidden category of "gimmicks."

Although many of these Silver Dolphin titles would be impractical for libraries, they are perfect for attracting children who need an extra incentive to be drawn into paper pages. (They're also perfect for children who love to read.) I respect and admire intelligent, creative, educational "gimmicks" like these. They catch children's attention, provide an opportunity to learn something interesting, give adults and children a project to share and are fun.

When children associate reading with fun, the reading begins.

Reach Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.