Real Science-4-Kids Book 1

Yes. It is by the same author, but has been substantially updated.

What we love about the update is that it removes the pressure of experiments and lab notebooks while retaining rigorous scientific instruction. Plus, the redesigned books are a visual step up, too.

One of the most common questions we get: "Should my child start with Book 1 in first grade, or wait until third?"

The short answer: it depends on reading ability and how much support you'll provide. RS4K's atoms-first spiral model is designed for flexibility—younger learners can begin with parent read-aloud support, while independent learners can pick a level that fits their reading level and science knowledge.

Students who start with Timberdoodle kits in the early grades and work through the sequence year by year should be well-prepared for each book as it arrives — including Books 6 and 7 in middle school, which build on everything that came before.

If you're starting RS4K mid-sequence, use the chart below as your guide. Books 6 and 7 in particular require some prerequisite knowledge—a student jumping in at that level without the earlier books might want to back down a book or two first.

The goal isn't to rush. It's to build the kind of atomic-level foundation that makes high school science feel manageable — even exciting.

Real Science-4-Kids stays neutral on origins—it doesn't explicitly teach creation or evolution, leaving those conversations to your family.

Access begins as soon as our team processes your order and continues for 18 months—plenty of wiggle room if you're not starting right away or need a little extra time to finish.

Any of these options can be a great fit, depending on how you want to teach science this year.

Families who want a straightforward yet thorough approach may find the print text is all they need. It covers the topics in depth, with no experiments, no worksheets, no fuss.

Many families like to add an occasional experiment or activity as time allows. For these families, the print text + digital dashboard is a great combo — you get the hardcover book for regular science learning, plus downloadable resources to access when you want them. The read-aloud flipbook is also a hit for any family who struggles with pronunciation. This is the option we include in our curriculum kits—the print text keeps learning simple and solid, while the digital dashboard is there when you want to go deeper.

Want everything in print? Choose the print text, printed student pages, and printed teacher pages — everything you need, nothing that requires a screen.

Prefer to learn on the go, or know the read-aloud flipbook will be the best fit for your student? The digital dashboard only is a natural choice.