The Kickstarter campaign for a forthcoming kids' book on scientific inquiry has just launched. Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery? is the first book in a series on pseudoscience, hoaxes, and extraordinary claims by author Kimberly Blaker.
The approximately 90-page book for kids ages 9 to 13 explores the development and history of astrology and the claims made by astrology proponents. In the book, Blaker addresses the arguments both for and against its validity and examines the scientific evidence, or rather, the lack thereof, for the validity of horoscopes.
Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery?, according to Blaker's Kickstarter campaign, is designed to help kids better understand the scientific method and develop critical thinking skills. Blaker poses thoughtful questions throughout the book and provides kids opportunities to test the validity of astrology and horoscopes. The book contains several fun activities for kids as they sleuth for answers to determine for themselves whether astrology is valid or just a form of pseudoscience.
As Blaker explains, "The book is designed to assist kids in coming to their own conclusion of the invalidity of horoscopes, rather than flat out telling them 'don't believe in this.'"
The reason Blaker decided to write the book, she says, is because of the vast population of not only kids, but adults, who buy into various forms of pseudoscience, hoaxes, and extraordinary claims. In her Kickstarter, Blaker points out, "according to a 2012 Omnibus Poll, 45% of American adults believe in ghosts and 32% believe people can interact with the dead. A 2009 Harris Poll found 26% of people believe in astrology. These statistics indicate a need for better-educating kids in areas of science and improving their development of critical thinking skills."
Blaker further explains, "helping kids to develop good critical thinking skills is crucial to their ability think rationally as adults and their ability to problem-solve. Not only is critical thinking a highly desirable trait for employment, it plays a strong role in career advancement as well as the ability to make sound decisions in people's personal lives."
As a freelance writer, Blaker has authored two previous books and has also been published in more than 200 parenting and lifestyle magazines over the course of her career. She also recently launched a blog, The Young Gma's Guide to Parenting.
For more information on Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery? or to back her project with a preorder of the book, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2007284780/horoscopes-reality-or-trickery-a-9-13-year-old-ste
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