[Rockhounds] children's rock kit

[Kitty & Bill Heacox]

Hi to those on the list who are teachers or especially interested in 
inspiring kids in our hobby:

I recently bought a Rocks & Minerals kit put together by DK Eyewitness 
Books.  I got it at Costco for $19.69 and it contains a 72-page book 
with lots of pictures and presents a multitude of topics using only two 
facing pages (double-page spread) for each topic.  The kit also contains 
a smaller 64-page book called "Expert Files, a Hands-on Guide to Geology 
As Explained by Professionals in the Field," a Clip-art CD, a booklet of 
tear-out profile cards, a wall chart, a wall map of world geology and 
plates, and a set of paper cut-outs to be folded and glued to form some 
basic crystal models.  These are all in a fold-out box with pockets for 
each item, and the box fits in an impressive sleeve about 9" x 12" x 2".

My impressions is that this is a pretty good introduction to kids ages 9 
and up.  There are topics on cutting and polishing, collecting, ores and 
metals, fossils, as well as many others.  I have a couple of mild 
reservations:  for example, the double-page spread on volcanic rocks 
makes no mention of pahoehoe and a'a, however in another spread on "What 
are rocks and minerals?" they show a picture and explain how "Pele's 
hair" is made.  There's nothing on fluorescence or other types of 
luminescence.  And especially for kids, I think at least a page should 
be on the many uses of rocks and minerals in human daily life, from 
cosmetics to bombs.  And I'm not enough of a scientist to know whether 
their technical stuff is correct or not. 

I think that before I give it to any of my young relations I'll keep it 
to show to friends -- young and adult -- to get their impressions.  I 
tried to find reviews on Amazon and elsewhere, but could only find 
comments on the book (Rocks & Minerals, DK Eyewitness Expert) not the 
whole kit.  Any of you who have seen the kit, please let me know what 
you think.

Aloha, Kitty