Super Simple Biology, by DK and published in association with the Smithsonian Institution, is a heavily illustrated science reference book for ages 11 to 16. This 288-page book features articles presented in either one- or two-page spreads on each topic. Every article usually has several images to illustrate concepts and processes. Like other DK books, Super Simple Biology’s visual appeal will likely pique children’s interest.
This is not a comprehensive biology text. For instance, several articles address some human body systems, but there’s nothing on the human skeletal system. You can use Super Simple Biology as your core text for a biology survey course for middle school, but there are no built-in questions, experiments, or other components that check for understanding. That makes it most suitable as either a spine or reference book within a comprehensive biology course such as Sonlight’s F Life Science, which includes Super Simple Biology as a core resource.
The first two sections of the book are great for beginning a study of biology. The first section, “Working Scientifically,” discusses the nature of science, scientific models, the types of questions science can address, the scientific method, measurements, working with data, and performing experiments safely. The second section, “What is Life?” addresses the characteristics of living things, the classification of species, body organization (cells, tissues, organs, and systems), vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, evolutionary trees, and the use of identification keys.
The remaining 16 sections are more narrowly focused. They are presented under headings such as Cells, Respiration, Nutrition in Plants, Nervous System, Reproduction, Evolution, Ecology, and Health. Under each heading are several related articles.
Super Simple Biology is written from a secular perspective and is based on evolutionary assumptions. However, aside from one page on evolutionary trees (p. 33), the information on evolution focuses primarily on changes within species, which is not controversial, rather than macroevolution (a species changing into a different species).
Summary
Super Simple Biology should be an excellent resource for homeschoolers to have on hand as they study different aspects of biology and for children and teens to explore on their own.
