Christopher Columbus: and the Age of Exploration for Kids    by Ronald Reis Order:  USA  Can Chicago Review Press, 2013 (2013) Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch Featuring 21 hands-on activities, this book for children nine years of age and older tells the full story of Columbus' four voyages. Besides getting a sense of life in 15th century Spain or one of the country's New World colonies, the reader will also engage in activities that test his/her sea-faring skills and historical knowledge. There are chapters here devoted to indigenous peoples, each one of the explorer's voyages, and the difficulties encountered while sailing in uncharted waters. The section titled Columbian Exchange discusses the movement of plants, animals, cultures, human populations, diseases and ideas between the Old World and the New. The activities range from simulating a hurricane and taking nautical measurements to creating a coat-of-arms and simulating a lunar eclipse. The content of this book is excellent and it is well illustrated. If you are looking for a wide range of material on Columbus and his voyages, this is an excellent resource. The activities incorporate STEM concepts which might be helpful to teachers but I would say the selling point here is the content more than the activities. After reading this, the youngster will know quite a bit about the voyages of this famous explorer. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews