Everyday Science: 66 Experiments That Explain the Small and Big Things All Around Us

Gr 2–6—This book of science experiments is full of easy activities that allow kids to explore a range of basic concepts in geology, physics, chemistry, and biology. Each experiment is presented in a spread, with cartoon drawings illustrating each step of the process. A "Think Like a Scientist" section looks at the concepts behind the experiment, and a "Continue Investigating" feature offers ways to extend the activity. Additional chapters describe ways that the theories are used in the real world. The strength of this title lies in the experiments and the easy-to-follow directions that accompany them, many of which can be performed without adult assistance (those involving cutting or cooking list "an adult" in the "What Will You Need?" section). The design is clean and colorful, with a consistent layout on each page and eye-catching photographs of kids in funny poses or costumes. However, some of the explanations assume background knowledge that many kids in the target age group may not have. Also, while the experiments are loosely grouped into four sections and a table of contents indicates which experiments fall into which category, the organization is otherwise fairly random, and the book does not contain a glossary, index, or any other supplemental resources.