Category: Science

Posted on

13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System

13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar

Reading level: Middle Grade

Summary:  Explains the most recent view (2011) of the planets in our solar system, with eight planets in the classical sense and five dwarf planets. Includes information on some of the moons, as well. Activities in the back, such as compare your weight on different planets and build a model solar system using objects from a grocery bag.

Illustrations:  Space art by the author

Comments: The art in this book is beautiful. Along with the description of each planet is a sidebar about where the name came from and what its name means, giving a nice history lesson. The activities are age appropriate and fun.

Related activities:

Activities on pages 58-59 in the book

Calculate your weight on other worlds

Calculate your age on other worlds

Video about why Pluto is no longer a planet:

Compatible fiction: science fiction fans might enjoy The Complete Adventures of Lucky Starr by Isaac Asimov

Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (March 8, 2011)

ISBN-10: 1426307705
ISBN-13: 978-1426307706

Click on button to return to main science book list.

nonfictionmonday

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at History With A Twist.

Posted on

Science Experiments That Fizz and Bubble

Science Experiments That Fizz and Bubble:  Fun Projects for Curious Kids by Jodi Wheeler-Toppen

Series: Edge Books: Kitchen Science

Reading level: Middle grade (Ages 9-12) plus

Summary:  Directions for eleven science projects that can be done easily at home, with readily available products. Examples are making orange “soda” with orange juice and baking soda. Each project ends with “Why It Works” to explain the science behind the activity.

Illustrations: Color photographs

Comments:  The fun and energetic writing style makes you want to jump in and try each one. The projects are often given a little twist to make them unique from other similar projects you might have seen elsewhere. The instructions are clear and the photographs are helpful. Would work for upper elementary and beyond.

Related activities:

  • Although you don’t need to add to this book, you might want to include the projects in a chemistry day party or gathering

Compatible fiction: The Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives series

Publisher:  Capstone Press (January 2, 2011)

ISBN-10: 1429662514
ISBN-13: 978-1429662512

Click on button to return to main science book list.

Next title to be reviewed:  13 Planets:  The Latest View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar

Posted on

Experiment with Seeds (Junior Scientists)

Junior Scientists: Experiment with Seeds by Susan H. Gray

Series:  Science Explorer Junior

Reading level: grades 2-3 (somewhat younger than suggested by publisher)

Summary:  Directions for three simple science experiments with seeds that use common household ingredients. Addresses questions such as whether seeds need air to grow or whether roots always grow down.

Illustrations:  Color photographs and illustrations

Comments:  The experiments are creative and the methods are clearly written. They are likely to be successful and encourage children to explore further.

Related activities:

Compatible books:

  • The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow by Joanna Cole and illustrated by John Speirs and Bruce Degan
  • From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Publisher: Cherry Lake Publishing (August 2010)

ISBN-10: 1602798931
ISBN-13: 978-1602798939

Click on button to return to main science book list.

Be sure to look for more information about children’s books at today’s Book Talk Tuesday.

Posted on

Orb Weavers: Hungry Spinners By Sandra Markle

Did you hear about the spiders that went into space last week on the Space Shuttle Endeavor? The spider are part of a project aimed at getting children involved in science (see more about it in related activities section). Our books today, Orb Weavers: Hungry Spinners by Sandra Markle, is a perfect tie-in book to accompany the Spiders in Space experiment.

Series:  Arachnid World

Reading level:  Upper Elementary (Grades 4-8)

Summary:  Overview of what makes orb weavers unique from other spiders. Includes information on anatomy, life cycles, and about their webs.

Illustrations: Color photographs

Comments: Sandra Markle has written a number of books about spiders and her passion for them shows through. Just the right amount of information to keep the reader interested.

Related activities:

  • The book has an activity on page 46 to test how spiders feel movement of their webs.
  • Check out the Spiders into Space science project
  • Scientists have just discovered an orb weaver that produces the biggest web in the world, so large they go across streams!.

Compatible fiction: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Publisher:  Lerner Pub Group (T) (March 2011)

ISBN-10: 0761350392
ISBN-13: 978-0761350392

Click on button to return to main science book list.

nonfictionmonday

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at Great Kid Books.