500s: Backyard to Big Bang: Series Nonfiction on Science

From the soil they walk on to the stars in the sky, children are surrounded by science. It seems that there is a never-ending supply of science-oriented books that try to capture the wonder of the world they live in. The following series strive to come up with the correct mix of age-appropriate material, graphics, and key concepts that will reach today’s students, appeal to their sense of curiosity, and turn them into life-long learners.

CLAYBOURNE, Anna. Electricity. ISBN 978-1-59566-559-1. LC 2008011708. 
––––. Light and Dark. ISBN 978-1-59566-556-0. LC 2008011709. 
––––. Materials. ISBN 978-1-59566-557-7. LC 2008011711. 
––––. Pushes and Pulls. ISBN 978-1-59566-558-4. LC 2008011713. 
ea vol: 24p. (QEB Why It Works Series). illus. photos. glossary. index. notes. CIP. QEB. 2009. PLB $24.25.
K-Gr 2–These titles provide six-to-nine easy-to-accomplish experiments to illuminate scientific concepts. Spreads cover one experiment and related information. For example, Electricity discusses the different types of energy that create the phenomenon and describes how to make a simple circuit, or how to use static to attract pieces of paper to a comb. Light and Dark, one of the strongest books in the set, explains the role light plays in sight, day and night, and color. Kids can make a sundial using a paper plate, clay, and a straw. Materials is most appropriate for kindergartners and includes experiments that test the hardness of items and whether they sink or float. Pushes and Pulls is a great introduction to physics basics such as gravity, pressure, and friction. Featuring many color photographs, some cartoonlike illustrations, and a large font, this series is a first choice.

CLAYBOURNE, Anna. The Science of a Glass of Water: The Science of States of Matter. ISBN 978-1-4339-0041-9. LC 2008034028. 
––––. The Science of a Guitar: The Science of Sound. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4339-0042-6. LC 2008039918.
DE LA BEDOYERE, Camilla. The Science of a Piece of Paper: The Science of Materials. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4339-0045-7. LC 2008034032.
GRAHAM, Ian. The Science of a Bicycle: The Science of Forces. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4339-0040-2. LC 2008034029.
SOLWAY, Andrew. The Science of a Loaf of Bread: The Science of Changing Properties. ISBN 978-1-4339-0043-3. LC 2008034031.
WILLIAMS, Brian. The Science of a Pair of Glasses: The Science of Light. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4339-0044-0. LC 2008038767. 
ea vol: 32p. (The Science of... Series). diags. illus. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens. 2009. PLB $26.
Gr 2-5–This series cleverly draws kids in by using everyday objects such as a guitar to explain sound, hearing, decibels, pitch, and musical notation or a bicycle to outline physics concepts such as gravity, friction, and torque. Some history is included as well–for example, Glasses discusses Leonardo da Vinci’s 1508 sketch of a design for contact lenses and Benjamin Franklin’s invention of bifocals. Employing illustrations, colorful photographs, highlighted fact boxes, and bold-faced text, the books are eye-catching and compelling. Bread is particularly enjoyable as it describes the role of yeast and the chemical reactions that occur during baking, and introduces the digestive process. Great additions.

CURRIE, Stephen. Ecosystems. chart. diags. ISBN 978-1-60279-458-0. LC 2008049662.
CURRIE-MCGHEE, Leanne. Protecting Ecosystems. chart. ISBN 978-1-60279-462-7. LC 2008040808.
DUFFIELD, Katy S. Earth’s Biomes. ISBN 978-1-60279-457-3. LC 2008040803.
LEVINE, Stuart P. Animals. ISBN 978-1-60279-456-6. LC 2008040802.
MILLER, Heather. A Changing Earth. diag. illus. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60279-465-8. LC 2008045697. 
––––. Matter. ISBN 978-1-60279-460-3. LC 2008040804.
RAU, Dana Meachen. Electricity and Magnetism. illus. ISBN 978-1-60279-459-7. LC 2008045711. 
––––. Rocks and Minerals. diag. ISBN 978-1-60279-463-4. LC 2008049663.
SHARP, Katie. Soil. diag. ISBN 978-1-60279-464-1. LC 2008049661.
SILVERTHRONE, Elizabeth. Plants. ISBN 978-1-60279-461-0. LC 2008040805. 
ea vol: 32p. (Real World Science Series). photos. appendix. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Cherry Lake. 2009. Tr $27.07.
Gr 2-5–From the difference between the formation of folded mountains and fault-block mountains to the role electrons play in electricity, and from a description of the world’s six major biomes to an explanation of the three states of matter, this series covers science fundamentals. Sidebars on many spreads extend the content, and each chapter includes a “Real World Science Challenge,” with answers provided in the appendixes. The double-spaced texts generally have a back-to-basics layout (nary a bold-faced font to be found and no full-page photos) and won’t grab any reluctant readers. An informative, well-written series with no bells and whistles.

GORE, Bryson. Astronomy: The Story of Stars and Galaxies. chart. ISBN 978-1-59604-199-8. LC 2008016501. 
––––. Biology: The Story of Living Things. ISBN 978-1-59604-200-1. LC 2008016502. 
––––. Chemistry: The Story of Atoms and Elements. chart. ISBN 978-1-59604-201-8. LC 2008016503. 
––––. Physics: The Story of Forces and Energy. chart. ISBN 978-1-59604-202-5. LC 2008016504. 
ea vol: 32p. (Amazing Science Discoveries Series). illus. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. CIP. Stargazer. 2009. PLB $27.10.
Gr 3-6–These titles are divided into 12 major topical spreads that highlight one important discovery. The subjects selected are engaging, but at times a bit arbitrary. For example, Biology’s section on the brain focuses on the sea squirt. Fun facts, key scientists, and basic explanations of the science behind the discoveries are included. Bold, eye-catching graphics and large fonts are sure to attract even the most reluctant readers.

MURRAY, Julie. Backyard. ISBN 978-1-60453-553-2. LC 2008036380. 
––––. The Body. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60453-554-9. LC 2008036382.
––––. Home. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60453-555-6. LC 2008037172.
––––. Hospital. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60453-556-3. LC 2008036381.
––––. School. reprods. ISBN 978-1-60453-557-0. LC 2008039217.
––––. Underwater. ISBN 978-1-60453-558-7. LC 2008036383. 
ea vol: 32p. (That’s Gross! A Look at Science Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO. 2009. PLB $17.95.
Gr 2-5–This series relies heavily on the “yuck” factor to attract readers. Body, which focuses on flatulence, vomit, earwax, and snot, and Hospital, which touches on the use of maggots and leeches in medicine, and includes a photo of a stapled scalp wound, are certainly disgusting. However, the centipedes and worms in Backyard and the unusual fish described in Underwater are not particularly gross. While not comprehensive, these books, with their large, easy-to-read fonts, straightforward approach, and full-page, color photographs on one side of every spread, are sure to attract reluctant readers.

NEWTON, Joan. Gravity in Action: Roller Coasters! diags. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4358-2976-3. LC 2008036792.
O’MARA, Genevieve. The Lunar Cycle: Phases of the Moon. diags. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4358-2973-2. LC 2008036789.
TORRENCE, Jack. Light Show: Reflection and Absorption. diags. ISBN 978-1-4358-2974-9. LC 2008036790.
WEST, Herbert. Forms of Energy. charts. illus. ISBN 978-1-4358-2975-6. LC 2008036802. 
ea vol: 24p. (Amazing Science Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2009. PLB $21.25.
Gr 2-5-Energy covers a broad range of topics such as potential versus kinetic energy, electricity, sound, light, and heat, as well as chemical and nuclear energy. Light Show is slightly more focused, describing reflection, absorption, and refraction, and one experiment with light. Gravity discusses the force solely in terms of roller coasters and includes a history of the rides, and Lunar Cycle uses simple explanations in covering the moon’s atmosphere and other features, the two types of cycles, and eclipses. Clearly not formulaic, this series incorporates attractive, color or black-and-white photographs on every spread. However, with the exception of Gravity, whose unusual approach is striking, there is nothing particularly new or innovative here.

GIBSON, J. Phil & Terri R. Gibson. Natural Selection. 112p. chart. ISBN 978-0-7910-9784-7. LC 2008047252.

For younger children, “That’s Gross!” will work well if the goal is to titillate, but “Why It Works” provides more solid instruction and “The Science of…” stands out for its unusual, engaging approach to scientific concepts. Similarly, for the upper grades, “Amazing Science Discoveries” is an attention grabber, but the well-written (and soberly presented) “Real World Science” is a more educational choice, and “Science Foundations” is hard to beat for comprehensive coverage.

Material Matters: Series Nonfiction on Physical Science (Fall 2008)

A Look Inside: Series Nonfiction on Life Science (Fall 2008)

Rooting Around: Series Nonfiction on Plants (Fall 2008)