Many teachers worry that the current emphasis on standardized test results means that pupils' curiosity will be discouraged. Author Engel (senior lecturer in psychology, Williams Coll.; Your Child's Path) here explores the questions surrounding curiosity in children-how it develops over time, the forms it can take, and ways that parents and teachers encourage or hinder children's expressions of curiosity. There are surprises here: curiosity doesn't decline with age during the elementary school years; instead kids model teachers' (and presumably parents') curious behavior (or lack thereof). Gossip, says the author, is one of the most common manifestations of curiosity for pres-choolers, school-age children, and adults. VERDICT Most child-rearing books and teaching books list curiosity as a desirable trait. This title goes further by describing experimental and observational research on what curious behavior actually looks like, and how it is encouraged or suppressed. It's also quite accessible for the general reader involved in parenting or education.-Mary Ann Hughes, Shelton, WA © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Curiosity is critical for intellectual achievement, but the US education system appears to value compliance and the acquisition of facts and skills far more. Many have observed that the curiosity found to be inherent in most toddlers is nearly eradicated by the time they complete elementary school. Engel (Williams College) addresses this dilemma by providing a fascinating account of the diverse expressions of curiosity found in childhood. The author begins each chapter with a personal story illustrating a specific aspect of curiosity. She then weaves in information derived from empirical studies of cognitive development across the childhood years, providing an insightful analysis. Engel starts with her own bug-eating explorations and then examines the importance of having safe havens from which risky expeditions can be launched, "what and why" questioning, the importance of having invitations to explore freely, gossip as an indication of interest in others and their cultures, and the importance of solitude to pursue interests. She offers techniques to foster and encourage the continued development of each of these expressions of curiosity. Taking her cue from a famous Einstein quotation, Engel writes, "It turns out that like many delicate plants, in order to flourish, curiosity needs to be cultivated." Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --Robert B. Stewart, Oakland University