Science & the Fascinating Stuff of Life
by Nikki TateA good writer and a well-designed book can make any subject interesting. This month’s selections encourage children to explore, think, question and observe the marvelous world around us.
Science Detectives: How Scientists Solved Six Real-Life Mysteries
by the Editors of YES Magazine
Kids Can Press, 2006
“The human body has about 100 trillion cells. The DNA in a single cell, if all 23 pairs of chromosomes were stretched out end to end, is about 1.8 m (6 ft) long. Red blood cells do not have DNA.”
This fascinating book examines six real-life mysteries which required scientific sleuthing to solve. From tracking down Typhoid Mary to the mysterious case of India’s vanishing vultures, the case studies collected here provide some great examples of how science, deductive reasoning and a bit of luck combine to find solutions to some tricky problems. While the six main scenarios are utterly compelling all on their own, all sorts of sidebars lead readers off on equally intriguing tangents. Photos, illustrations, charts, and maps supplement the text. Each case also includes a relevant project or experiment, so the hands-on detectives will find plenty here to keep them occupied.
Science on the Loose: Amazing Activities and Science Facts You’ll Never Believe
by Helaine Becker
Maple Tree Press, 2008
“Your personal scent is something you are born with. New moms can actually identify their infants simply by sniffing the tops of their heads!”
From the first page, Helaine Becker makes it clear that she thinks science and fun are natural neighbours. Becker begins by laying out the basic principles of the scientific method (start with a question, form and test a hypothesis, record the results and repeat). She then provides dozens of quirky bits of information, asks plenty of thought-provoking questions, and guides readers through the process of devising and carrying out experiments to test ideas. Though there are plenty of projects to tackle, this is more than a book of experiments. Science on the Loose helps children think about the world through a scientific lens while developing a critical perspective, which ultimately will help them sort out fact from wishful thinking.
Human Body
by Linda Calabresi
InSiders Series, Simon & Schuster, 2007/2008
“When something irritates the sensitive lining of the nose, the chest muscles suddenly contract, causing a sneeze. Irritants, as well as germs, are expelled. A sneeze can reach speeds of 155 miles per hour (250km/h).”
The InSiders Series includes titles about popular subjects like space, predators, dinosaurs and Ancient Egypt. Human Body uses the same format and eye-popping illustrations as others in the series to teach readers about various aspects of human physiology. In addition to the subjects one would expect in such a book (skeleton, organs and major functional systems), the book also includes information about bionic bodies, a time-line of medical knowledge, and some basic nutrition facts. This is a great resource for future doctors.
Everything but the Kitchen Sink: Weird Stuff You Didn’t Know About Food
by Frieda Wishinsky and Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Travis King
Scholastic, 2008
“The record for pancake flipping is an amazing 349 flips in two minutes. The largest pancake anyone tossed measured a whopping 50 feet across!”
What a brilliant collaboration! Wishinsky and MacLeod are both well-established writers with solid track records writing engaging non-fiction for children. And, they both love food. No surprise, then, that Everything but the Kitchen Sink is informative, quirky and a lot of fun. Food facts and trivia are interspersed with activities (plan a 50s party!), recipes (the Haystacks sound delicious), quizzes and puzzles. Word origins (and food origins) blend smoothly with science, pop culture, odd statistics and food-related records (kids can read, for example, about the world’s biggest burger and a truly wacky collection of eating contests). Travis King’s silly, cartoon-style illustrations keep the tone light and playful. After reading this book, nobody will look at food in quite the same way again!
Nikki Tate is an author who lives on Vancouver Island. Kids who like to write should visit Nikki’s website at www.tarragonisland.com or www.stablemates.net.
