Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes

Gr 4—9—Messy, daredevil, tongue-in-cheek, and definitely boy-friendly, this collection of science explorations will energize a boring afternoon or a routine science lesson. Grouped loosely under the headings "The Power of Air," "Kitchen Chemistry," "Dry Ice," "Gooey Wonders," and "Don't Try This at Home...Try It at a Friend's Home!" the experiments emphasize the fun before the facts and are arranged under the headings "Let's Try It," "Take It Further," "What's Going on Here?" and "Real-World Applications." Adult help will be necessary to guide elementary-aged children through the wordy instructions and the use of dry ice, power tools, and stoves. Sharp, full-color photos appear throughout, but they're not always informative. Adults dominate the images with an emphasis on the author's appearances on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Safety warnings are included at the front of the book, within experiments such as "Soup Soufflé" or "Naked Eggs," and in the introduction to the "Dry Ice" section.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI