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CM . . . .
Volume VII Number 18 . . . . May 11, 2001
Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Publishing (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company),
2001.
Grades 3 - 5 / Ages 8 - 10.
excerpt: (from The Science of Tools) Imagine life without fire, clothing or shelter. Nights would be very cold and dark. We could not live where it snows in winter. There would be no walls to protect us from wild animals. Our world would be very different if we did not have tools.The "Living Science" series is a nicely designed and clearly written series that introduces young children to the basic concepts of science. Written in an age-appropriate style, the books also have interesting and colourful photographs, charts, drawings, puzzlers and suggested activities to capture a child's interest about a variety of scientific topics. Everything about these books exudes energy. Clever cover designs (extreme close-up photographs of screws, a plant and a blueprint) draw the reader's attention. Magnified drawings or photos are found as sidebars in each chapter. Additionally, each chapter has a puzzling question with the answer printed upside down, or a suggested activity to do that confirm the idea being explained. The explanations are clear, such as this paragraph from The Science of Structures: excerpt: Arch bridges are stronger than girder bridges. Because they can support more weight, arch bridges can be longer than girder bridges. Arch bridges can also be higher than girder bridges. They can be built high enough for tall ships to pass underneath.Drawings of different types of bridges and instructions on how to build a girder bridge are included on the same page. A list of related web sites is found at the end of the book to accompany the glossary that defines bolded technical words, as well as the index. Suggested key words for further searches are also included. The whole series covers every possible scientific topic, to fascinate and inspire young children. The books inform, provoke thought and will get kids involved in scientific pursuit. Great for home or school. Highly Recommended. Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - May 11, 2001.
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