Changing Materials

Children's Literature

Everything you touch and see around you each day is made up of materials, from the clothes you wear to the food you eat. Many of the materials around you can change shape like water turning to ice when it freezes then turning back to water when it warms. A solid material will keep its same shape even though it can be twisted, bent, or stretched. A liquid material will change shape by itself, just like water does. Bright photographs and limited text will appeal to young readers. Inset boxes, which are two-by-two inch boxes with the heading "It's A Fact" give additional information. The glossary defines words that are printed in bold type through the text. The index and recommended reading and web sites, as well as places to visit, make this a good research source for elementary students. Three hands-on activities are included in this title. The first is making salt crystals to see how evaporation works. The second activity is making plastic by using basic resources available in the home like milk and vinegar. The third, called Weather in a bag, uses a clear plastic bag and water to help readers see how condensation and evaporation work. This series, "Working with Materials," is a good selection for science classrooms at the elementary level. Other titles in the series concern mixing materials, joining materials, and shaping materials. Reviewer: Joyce Rice