How does the universe behave? Early on, people sought supernatural, religious, or mythological explanations for what they observed-eventually, and sometimes begrudgingly, discarding these theories and turning to science for explanations and understanding. The discoveries that early and contemporary scientists and philosophers made have transformed and continue to change how we understand our world. Each of these series examines matter and its interactions as it moves through space and time, hopefully inspiring a new generation to develop scientific curiosity.

Preschool-Grade 4

Cotton. ISBN 978-1-936313-93-8; ISBN 978-1-936313-92-1. Nylon. ISBN 978-1-936313-97-6; ISBN 978-1-936313-96-9. Silk. ISBN 978-1-936313-95-2; ISBN 978-1-936313-94-5. Wool. ISBN 978-1-936313-91-4; ISBN 978-1-936313-90-7. ea vol: 21p. (Investigate Materials Series). photos. glossary. Nomad. 2011. Tr $16.95; pap. $6.95. LC number unavailable. PreS-K-"Challenge Words" are presented in a glossary before the main texts. A simple question-and-answer format follows, explaining what a particular fabric is, where it comes from, and its use. The crisp photographs often feature children on the verso and a few easy sentences on the recto, both on clean, white space. However, statements such as, "When you wear clothes made out of cotton, you feel happy!" and some generalizations mar the series's use as a source of factual information, e.g., "Pants and T-shirts are made of cotton fabrics. So are blankets and pillowcases." This, of course, isn't always the case. These four titles would be most successful as lapsit experiences between adults and preschoolers, but they're hardly likely to be candidates for repeated reading, and there is not enough meat to hold the attention of a primary-grade audience. MULLINS, Matt. Electricity. ISBN 978-0-531-26319-8; ISBN 978-0-531-26581-9. LC 2011016235. ----. The Elements. diags. ISBN 978-0-531-26323-5; ISBN 978-0-531-26585-7. LC 2011010400. ----. Energy. ISBN 978-0-531-26320-4; ISBN 978-0-531-26582-6. LC 2011016234. ----. Friction. ISBN 978-0-531-26321-1; ISBN 978-0-531-26583-3. LC 2011010047. ----. Gravity. ISBN 978-0-531-26322-8; ISBN 978-0-531-26584-0. LC 2011009489. RAU, Dana Meachen. Simple Machines. ISBN 978-0-531-26324-2; ISBN 978-0-531-26586-4. LC 2011007506. ea vol: 48p. (A True Book: Physical Science Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Children's Press. 2011. PLB $28.; pap. $6.95. Gr 3-5-These attractive volumes will grab children's attention from the get-go. Eye-catching covers feature dramatic demonstrations of the topics, be it an image of upside-down skydivers plummeting through the clouds in Gravity or a child with his hair sticking straight up in Electricity. Each book opens with a challenge to "Find the Truth!": "Everything you are about to read is true except for one of the sentences on this page," and then encourages readers to find out which statement is false by reading on. What follow are four or five well-organized, clearly written chapters explaining the nature of the subject, the history of its discovery, and how it impacts our lives. Every title concludes with a page of statistics and resources, such as organizations and places to visit. Excellent choices for both reports and general interest. WALKER, Sally M. Investigating Electricity. ISBN 978-0-7613-5772-8; ISBN 978-0-7613-8012-2. LC 2010035819. ----. Investigating Heat. ISBN 978-0-7613-5773-5; ISBN 978-0-7613-8013-9. LC 2010039515. ----. Investigating Light. ISBN 978-0-7613-5774-2; ISBN 978-0-7613-8014-6. LC 2010029952. ----. Investigating Magnetism. ISBN 978-0-7613-5775-9; ISBN 978-0-7613-8015-3. LC 2010039848. ----. Investigating Matter. ISBN 978-0-7613-5776-6; ISBN 978-0-7613-8016-0. LC 2010040261. ----. Investigating Sound. ISBN 978-0-7613-5777-3; ISBN 978-0-7613-8017-7. LC 2010040529. ea vol: 40p. (Searchlight Books: How Does Energy Work? Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Lerner. 2011. PLB $27.93; ebook $20.95. Gr 3-5-This series is well organized and written in clear, concise language. The first chapter in each volume focuses on why a particular form of energy is important for people and/or the environment. Successive chapters discuss how that energy is generated and how it can (or cannot) be manipulated to people's advantage. Simple experiments using everyday household objects with clear instructions are provided in almost every chapter, with appropriate notes when adult supervision is necessary. Crisp photographs and/or diagrams are presented on every page, as are side boxes that contain either additional information or ask questions that draw readers back into the main text. WALKER, Sally M. & Roseann Feldmann. Put Inclined Planes to the Test. ISBN 978-0-7613-5324-9; ISBN 978-0-7613-8006-1. LC 2009032228. ----. Put Levers to the Test. ISBN 978-0-7613-5321-8; ISBN 978-0-7613-8007-8. LC 2010035551. ----. Put Pulleys to the Test. ISBN 978-0-7613-5322-5; ISBN 978-0-7613-8008-5. LC 2010035395. ----. Put Screws to the Test. ISBN 978-0-7613-5323-2; ISBN 978-0-7613-8009-2. LC 2010035552. ----. Put Wedges to the Test. ISBN 978-0-7613-5325-6; ISBN 978-0-7613-8010-8. LC 2009032230. ----. Put Wheels and Axles to the Test. ISBN 978-0-7613-5326-3; ISBN 978-0-7613-8011-5. LC 2010029108. ea vol: 40p. (Searchlight Books: How Do Simple Machines Work? Series). diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Lerner. 2011. PLB $27.93; ebook $20.95. Gr 3-5-The first two chapters in each title are nearly identical, although there are occasional changes in the photographs and the examples used to define the concepts work" and machines. Subsequent chapters feature a specific simple machine and provide directions for basic experiments that children can accomplish, with the occasional exception, on their own, using easily located items. Final chapters explain that simple machines are everywhere. On the whole, the texts provide clear explanations and the experiments add a significant degree of interest. The color photographs are crisp and clear, as are the diagrams. Serviceable additions where the topics are a part of the curriculum.

Grades 5 & Up

CAES, Charles J. Discovering the Speed of Light. ISBN 978-1-4488-4699-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-4708-2. LC 2010048426. CAMPBELL, Margaret Christine & Natalie Goldstein. Discovering Atoms. ISBN 978-1-4488-4700-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-4705-1. LC 2010048416. CLEMENS, Nora & Robert Greenberger. Discovering the Nature of Energy. ISBN 978-1-4488-4702-0; ISBN 978-1-4488-4707-5. LC 2010049960. KAGAYAME, Johnny & Josepha Sherman. Discovering the Construct of Time. diags. ISBN 978-1-4488-4703-7; ISBN 978-1-4488-4706-8. LC 2010042035. KANTROWITZ, Joseph & Jeffrey B. Moran. Discovering Thermodynamics. ISBN 978-1-4488-4701-3; ISBN 978-1-4488-4709-9. LC 2010045999. ea vol: 112p. (The Scientist's Guide to Physics Series). illus. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Rosen. 2011. PLB $33.25; ebook $33.25. Gr 7 Up-The authors approach their subjects from a historical perspective, beginning in some instances as far back as the Bronze Age. The books carefully track the various experiments and discoveries that eventually led to our current knowledge of the universe. The featured innovators-be they scientists, philosophers, or simply curious individuals-are presented not just in terms of their accomplishments, but their personalities as well. The political and religious situations that impacted the scientists' abilities to test their theories are also explored. With clear explanations of scientific principles, photographs, diagrams, and illustrations, these books present excellent overviews of both the history and nature of the study of physics. CARR, Aaron & Lesley Evans Ogden. Properties of Matter. charts. map. chron. ISBN 978-1-61690-730-3; ISBN 978-1-61690-734-1. LC 2011002296. GOLDSWORTHY, Kaite. Electricity. map. chron. ISBN 978-1-61690-727-3; ISBN 978-1-61690-731-0. LC 2011002293. ----. Magnetism. chron. ISBN 978-1-61690-728-0; ISBN 978-1-61690-732-7. LC 2011002294. OGDEN, Lesley Evans. Forces and Motion. ISBN 978-1-61690-729-7; ISBN 978-1-61690-733-4. LC 2011002296. ea vol: 24p. (Physical Science Series). diags. photos. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Weigl. 2011. PLB $27.13; pap. $12.95. Gr 4-6-Each of these well-designed volumes does a commendable job of introducing its respective subject. The facts are clearly explained and punctuated by interesting sidebars and photographs that reinforce the various concepts. The books include "Eco Notes," brain teasers, and simple experiments. The series promises a "media enhanced" Web-based component. By entering a unique code on the publisher's website, readers should have access to audio, video, embedded Web links, activities, quizzes, and slideshows. However, the books can certainly stand alone. KESSLER, Colleen. A Project Guide to Electricity and Magnetism. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58415-966-7; ISBN 978-1-61228-108-7. LC 2011000722. ----. A Project Guide to Forces and Motion. ISBN 978-1-58415-965-0; ISBN 978-1-61228-107-0. LC 2011000721. ----. A Project Guide to Light and Optics. reprods. ISBN 978-1-58415-969-8; ISBN 978-1-61228-111-7. LC 2011000720. ----. A Project Guide to Sound. ISBN 978-1-58415-970-4; ISBN 978-1-61228-112-4. LC 2011012532. O'NEAL, Claire. A Project Guide to Chemistry. ISBN 978-1-58415-968-1; ISBN 978-1-61228-110-0. LC 2011023446. ----. A Project Guide to Matter. ISBN 978-1-58415-967-4; ISBN 978-1-61228-109-4. LC 2011002758. ea vol: 48p. (Physical Science Projects for Kids Series). charts. diags. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Websites. CIP. Mitchell Lane. 2011. PLB $29.95; ebook $29.95. Gr 3-6-Although these books contain a wealth of information, the presentation is not likely to attract any but the most serious science devotees. The writing is dry, with fact following fact, and difficult vocabulary, such as "hypothesis," is left unexplained. The majority of the multi-step (sometimes as many as 12) projects necessitate adult supervision and require items such as tuning forks, bulb and battery holders, etc., that would have to be acquired from science supply stores. Also, the children in the photos often appear to be considerably younger than the intended audience. This incongruity is illogical as the complex concepts would be over the heads of the children­ depicted and seeing younger experimenters in the images might be off putting to older readers. All the titles except Matter have a list of websites for science supply companies. Of these seven series, the two standouts are Rosen's "Scientist's Guide to Physics" and "A True Book: Physical Science" from Children's Press. The first gives a great overall picture of the field, and the second is the one most likely to have broad appeal. "Physical Science" from Weigl is also well done. "Investigate Materials" from Nomad and "Physical Science Projects for Kids" from Mitchell Lane are at opposite ends of the spectrum, the first having little substance, and the second going too far in terms of difficulty. Lerner's "Searchlight Books: How Do Simple Machines Work?" has a very different, very specific focus from the other series, and would be an acceptable choice where this particular subject is being studied.