Tag: Science Books for Children

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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.

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The Chiru of High Tibet: A True Story

The Chiru of High Tibet: A True Story by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Linda Wingerter

Reading level: Picture Book (Ages 4-8)

Summary:  Overview of the life of the unique antelope-like chiru (found only in Tibet) and of the arduous trek by four men to try to discover more about the mysterious animals before it is too late to save them.

Video summary in the author’s own words:

Illustrations: Acrylic paintings plus a few photographs in the back

Comments:  The text is written in free verse and beautifully captures the struggles of both the chiru and the men. The illustrations are bright and imaginative. A lovely story that is both sad and hopeful at the same time.

Related activities:

Compatible fiction:

Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sís

Compatible Middle Grade Nonfiction:
A Life in the Wild: George Schaller’s Struggle to Save the Last Great Beasts by Pamela S. Turner

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia by Sy Montgomery  and photographs by Nic Bishop

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 27, 2010)

ISBN-10: 9780618581306
ISBN-13: 978-0618581306

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Next title to be reviewed: Orb Weavers by Sandra Markle