Book Review: Game On! 2016 (Scholastic)
There are thousands of ways in which to find video game information and facts these days, but what if you’re a parent who wants to educate your children gaming? You can always use the web, however finding correct information as well as avoiding negative comments from readers can be difficult if not impossible.
When I was younger the only way to find information about video games was to either a) figure out what you needed to know by yourself, b) find out from another human directly, c) call a long distance number to reach someone at the company directly or d) read about it in a book or magazine. There was no info right at my fingertips. I couldn’t simply Google everything. It was with this in mind that I utilized Game On! 2016 as a teaching tool for my son.
I first came across this series of books at a book fair in my son’s school. This book jumped out at me because of one glaring feature…A full color, glossy picture of Mario on the cover. I found the book to be interesting, but my son seemed to be more interested in Minecraft guides. I never had a chance to check the book out that day but it stuck in my mind for days after. In 2011 I was a Business Development Executive with Twin Galaxies. Through the partnership with Guinness World Records I had the opportunity to write and edit for them. I couldn’t help but wonder how the Game On! series of books would compare. So, I reached out to our friends at Scholastic and they were gracious enough to send me a copy.
From first crack I was mesmerized…and so was my son. We would both pore over each little bit of information in the book like we were staring at a beautiful work of art, enjoying each morsel.
Game On! is different from other annual gaming publications in that it contains hundreds of facts and history bits, as well as top ten lists and industry bits. Consider it a year in review for gaming. It is its’ layout design that I became addicted.
I skew this review to children because of something very important. The book is based on positivity, meaning it does not include grotesque, violent game references. That is not to say the games aren’t mentioned, they just aren’t featured. It was filled with Minecraft, Zelda, Super Mario and many other family oriented game references. Because of this it became a bonding moment, something that we will share for years to come.
Game On! 2016 is a must read. If you’re a gaming parent you have an opportunity while your children are young to make sure you leave a positive first impression of video games. You have a chance to spark their interest on games for the whole family, not games that include shooting zombies and spilling as much blood as possible.
Game On! 2016 serves notice to the gaming publication world. Not everything in gaming needs to be about violence. The next generation of gamers need as many possible vibes as possible in this crazy new world we live in, and this book offers that exciting escape that can stimulate the mind, not fill it with visuals of violence.
Read it, share it with your children, then let your friends and family borrow it so they can do the same. Gaming is only going to get bigger and it’s important to start the kids off right.
Comments