Bubbling Biology

Gr 3–6—These high-interest titles offer overviews of their scientific fields, including explanations of their impact on today's world. Chapter spreads in Bubbling Biology include "Green and Growing" and "Bite and Swallow." Crackling Chemistry offers sections on "Natural or Not?" and "Freezing and Melting." In Fizzing Physics, "Go and Stop" looks at gravity and friction, and "See the Light" discusses light sources and reflection. Awesome Astronomy includes sections on "Full Moon to No Moon" and "A Zoo of Stars." All of the books include hands-on learning activities. For example, some of the suggested activities in Physics include magnetic fishing using a wooden spoon, a string, and a magnet to fish for magnetic objects and creating panpipes from bottles filled with water. The layout is appealing, featuring a large format with colored boxes and bands that run across the page to highlight specific content. Other information appears in speech bubbles and clouds. Color photographs and images appear on every page, and cartoon images and characters add humor and appeal. The type is easy to read, the engaging writing is arranged in brief, easy-to-digest paragraphs, and the explanations are clear. These highly browsable books would appeal to students beginning to explore science.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA