VICKI COBB

BIOGRAPHY I BOOKS I PRESENTATIONS I BOOK ORDERING

Vicki Cobb is the well-known author

of more than eighty highly entertaining nonfiction books for children. Ever since

1972, when HarperCollins first published

Science Experiments You Can Eat, Cobb's

lighthearted approach to hands-on science

has become her trademark for getting kids involved in experiences that create real

learning. Currently, she is becoming

increasingly popular as a speaker to

children and adults as educators search

out sources for materials and activities

that promote learning. Today's popular

buzz words in education -- "whole language,"

"hands-on-science," "experimental learning,"

"out-come based," "multi-disciplinary,"

and critical thinking" -- are embodied

in Vicki Cobb's work.

Vicki Cobb credits her outlook on education to her mother's forward-looking thinking. From kindergarten to sixth grade she attended The Little Red School House in Greenwich Village. Her early education was a joyful experience of hands-on activities, field trips, reading children's literature (not textbooks), creative projects, and a kind of portfolio evaluation that today's educators realize are the most powerful tools for producing individuals who have a lifetime love of learning. According to Cobb her books "allow me to recreate the joy of learning I experienced in elementary school for myself, forever."

Vicki Cobb graduated from Barnard College with a major in zoology and went on to get a Master's degree in Secondary Science Education. After early careers as a laboratory researcher and science teacher, she became a full-time writer of science books for children. Light Action! Amazing Experiments in Optics represents her life as both author and parent. Her coauthor was her son Josh, and her optical engineer and the illustrator was her son Theo, an artist and art director.

In 2004, Vicki began writing a weekly column for teachers called Show Biz Science on the www.educationworld.com website, and teachers are encouraged to sign up for this free column.

Also, for her new book, We Dare You!, written with Kathy Darling and releasing in June 2008, Vicki is making videos of her own grandchildren doing tricks form the book. For a preview of the introduction, go to http://www.vickicobb.com/Videos/introtowedareyou.html .