The DK Pockets series is a wonderful book series to have in your home. Though each volume is about $7, you can get them cheaper used—or buy them during the buy 3 get 1 free sales at your local book store. They offer mounds of information in just a tiny book, which is perfect for carrying around in your pocket or purse. Pocket books are a great way to keep little ones busy at the store, while waiting in line, etc. as well.

Recently we purchased DK Pockets Gemstones, written by Emma Foa. My daughter is very into gemstones right now. I keep bags of them around the house, as well as small jars of gemstone chips, and she has taken to having me bury them in her sandbox and digging them out as treasure. Then, she puts them in her treasure chest for later. Gemstones has helped her identify some of these (though many of them are not in the book).

Right now she mainly wants to know what the stones are called, but later, when she wants to know more about their history or what they are typically used for, there is information about that in the book as well. Different cuts of each gem are shown, as well as where some of the stones received their names. Their coloration, use, and many different examples of each—all in color—are also shown. For example, when I think of topaz, I think of yellow topaz, which is my birthstone; however, the book shows many variations, including pinks and blues, and all in different settings, from pendants to brooches to raw cuts straight from the earth.

Something else I really like about this book is the little box on each entry that says “Myth and Magic.” It tells you about the magical properties and history of each gem, including how they were used by famous people or healers in order to solve problems and health issues.

Gemstones aren’t the only things covered in the book, either. Shells, ivory, and other substances are also listed. My daughter particularly likes to hear about amber, which comes from trees; there is a photo of a mosquito trapped in amber that looks a lot like the one on Jurassic Park. The back of the book also contains helpful information, such as an index, glossary, table of properties, and even a diagram of how to make jewelry.