Science of Energy

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

Ever wondered how we get electricity from wind, water, plants and the sun? Now is your chance to find out. In the latest of the "Living Science," series, Sarah Dann does an effective job of answering questions regarding energy, and more specifically electricity. Mixing simple and clear explanations with an effective use of photographs and illustrations, Dann creates a useful classroom tool. The puzzles, or questions interspersed throughout the text add fun, and even more functionality to the book. Included with the information and the puzzles are a few activities. These activities are simple and can be used to reinforce what is learned from the text. In explaining about energy and its uses, Dann also explains the environmental impact of the various forms of electricity. However, there is not so much of this information as to make the book appear didactic. Dann includes safety information as well as some valuable web sites to visit. Overall this book is appropriate for a classroom science collection. 2000, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 5 to 10, $19.93. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn—Children's Literature

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-These volumes provide basic information about their respective subjects in attractive formats with colorful arrays of photographs. Chapters consist of two-page spreads with bold headers, a few paragraphs of text, and either a puzzle or an activity. The more thorough of the two is Magnets, which briefly introduces such topics as the different types of magnets, magnetic poles and properties, electromagnets, and magnetic animals and medicine. Dann touches on a number of subjects, but gives no more than a few sentences about any one. She mentions energy and the energy chain, turning energy into electricity, wind, water, and solar power. Activities in the books include making a compass and creating static electricity by rubbing a balloon against hair. These titles work as general introductions but offer little material for reports. Neil Ardley's The Science Book of Magnets and The Science Book of Electricity (both Harcourt, 1991) are better sources for project and experiment ideas.-Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Estero, FL Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|