More Science Secrets

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3More Magic Tricks You Can Do and More Science Secrets are sequels to Magic Tricks You Can Do and Science Secrets (both Troll, 1981). Each gives directions and illustrations for a simple trick or experiment along with a list of equipment needed and a brief explanation of any scientific principles involved. More Magic Tricks You Can Do is an improvement over the first book in that its format is easier to follow. The tricks are relatively simple ones that use readily available materials, but most require a fairly high degree of manual dexterity which could frustrate younger children. More Science Secrets includes some misleading information and graphics. Molecules do not contract in cold air as stated. Similarly heat does not pull water molecules out of a glass in defiance of gravity as implied in one experiment. Another experiment is illustrated with a balloon shattering when it needs to be intact for the experiment to work. The best of these titles is Things That Go! The vehicle designs are for the most part ingenious and range from very simple to elaborate and complex. A flying saucer made from a plastic lid and styrofoam ball is particularly imaginative and would make a good project for a group, as would several of the other vehicles. The least successful projects are those made from paper for which patterns are given. Several of the patterns are partially in the gutters, making tracing impossible. Others are printed in a way that invites cutting out and assembling from the book itself. Trish Ebbatson, Mansfield-Richland County Public Library, Ohio