Editorial Review

"Is it a fact--or have I dreamt it--that, by means of electricity, the world of matter has become a great nerve, vibrating thousands of miles in a breathless point of time?" If you, like Nathaniel Hawthorne, are kept up at night wondering about how things work--from electricity to can openers--then you and your favorite kids shouldn't be a moment longer without David Macaulay's Read more

Reviews (24)

Amazing Book for the Inquisitive.
This was one of my favorite books as a child, and is a great deal of the reason why I have such an interest in science.The explanations are well written for anyone to understand, and the diagrams really help the reader understand the science better.If you, like me, take things apart to find out how they work, this is the book for you.

Great book
The book was a gift. It helps in the learning process.
A Work of Art
"The Way Things Work" took almost three years to create. A cute and sometimes silly "Great Wooly Mammoth" makes his appearance throughout the book. The facial expressions and animal antics are at times very amusing.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Popular works    5. Reference - General    6. Science & Nature - General    7. Technology    8. Technology (General)    9. Technology - How Things Work/Are Made    10. General science    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / How Things Work    12. Technology & Applied Sciences   

Reviews (10)

Fun, fun, fun!!!
I have a just turned 5 year old that LOVES science and experiments.Although this book I believe was recommended for older children, there are plenty of experiments that I can do with him at his age and get immediate results.Since there are experiments that are targeted for older children, this is one of the rare books that we'll be able to use for several years down the road.I love it so much it's going to be one of my staples in gift giving - it's easy & fun enough for those even not interested in 'science'.

great book for young minds
My 6 year old son absolutely loves this book.He was so excited about the experiments that everyone we knew was told about the new experiment.He understanding what he is doing with the experiments.I would recommend this book and I have to his teacher at school.

Kidz Love Science
I bought this book for my son, and liked it so much that I bought 10 copies to give to each child at my son's birthday party.He wanted a science party so this was the perfect take-home gift for the kids. Beats a goody bag full of candy and plastic toys... but I don't want to digress on how I hate goody bags at birthday parties!The experiments here are interesting and easy to set up.And, the puzzles and games on the side make it something the kids can pick up and read on their own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Experiments    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. School & Education    7. Science    8. Science & Nature - Experiments & Projects    9. Science & Nature - General    10. Experiments & science projects    11. Schools & education centres   

Reviews (27)

perfect for getting kids to read
I bought this for my nephew for his 10th birthday. When he opened it he said "now I can take my name off the list at the library cause I OWN it" For the rest of the party he regaled us all reading from the book. In the hour he owned the book he learned several new words. What a great way to get kids to read.

Perfect gift book forlittle boys!
My nephew LOVED it. I expected more pictures and less text but it didn't bother the 8 year old. He got tons of thrills just from the kid picking his nose on the cover. Perfect gift for a wild little boy along with a container of that oozing slime you get at Walmart. (the fits of giggles from the booger jokes are worth everything)

It's nasty and the kids love it
I bought this for my classroom bookshelf. I teach 7th grade science and my kids fight with each other to read it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aversion    2. Children's 9-12 - Science    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Curiosities & Wonders    6. Encyclopedias, Juvenile    7. Handbooks, vade-mecums, etc    8. Handbooks, vade-mecums, etc.    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Miscellaneous    12. Reference - Encyclopedias    13. Science & Technology - General    14. Encyclopaedias & reference works    15. Humour & jokes    16. JUVENILE NONFICTION / Reference / Encyclopedias    17. JUVENILE NONFICTION / Science & Nature / General (see also headings under Animals or Technology)    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / Curiosities & Wonders    19. Natural history & pets   

Reviews (1)

Fairly detailed book for early elementary children.
I have this book in my preschool classroom, but it is not one that I read at storytime. We use it as a resource when one child begins to question how or why the leaves change color. It is a helpful resource for me as an adult to understand the process, yet in simple language and with pictures to make it interesting for children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Autumn    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Color    5. Fall foliage    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Leaves    9. Science & Nature - General    10. Science & Nature - Trees & Forests    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / General   

Reviews (1)

Life Science textbook
It is very helpful to have the book as I am tutoring a student in science.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General   

Reviews (8)

Don't Rant and Rave
I'm a therapist in private practice.I send this book home with elementary school age children and they love it so much that they don't want to bring it back! They are relieved to know that they are not the only ones who get angry.The bookgives them great tips on how to calmdown. Moser knows children and has a sense of humor.Enjoyable pictures.

Good One...
I'm a school counselor and use this one with my middle elementary aged kids (3-4 grade).They enjoy it and it's easier for them to understand.I really recommend this one.

Don't get mad, get busy
This 61-page picture book contains simple language easily read by first and second graders (on a par with Dr. Suess), but its sophistication about children's anger will keep them coming back until they are approaching middle school. Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. General    5. Juvenile literature    6. Temper tantrums   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General   

Reviews (7)

Our sons answer
While looking to educate my adopted Chinese son ... only in this country for two years, I noticed his interest in life sciences and chemestry. So, we bought him his first Microscope for this Christmas and were trying to figure out how we can teach him the many things/uses we had forgotten in 42 years since my school days. Well ..... this book is the perfect answer. Not only does it explain the microscope, but it gives great experiments and things to build from household items as tools to carry my son further than I could. The writting will be a little dense per page for his understanding, but any good parent that will use this to help their child will be able to take that child to high knowledge and functionality in the microscope realm.

Excellent Seller
The item arrived in condition as described and it got to me fast

Awesome book!
Santa brought our seven year old a nice microscope and a copy of this book.It is FULL of great ideas for experiments-including where and how to get samples.My husband and I found it fascinating, and we are all enjoying the new toy. I don't know how much use a microscope would get without a great book guiding you along.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Science    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Science & Nature - Experiments & Projects    6. Science & Technology - Experiments & Projects    7. General science   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General   

Reviews (4)

Superlative bookshould stave off "nature-deficit disorder". . .
This book is an absolute delight, and the 'pairing' of poet and artist is inspired. Beckie Prange's woodcuts are reminiscent of the genius of work by Gustave Baumann(1881-1971: Chicago, Brown County INDIANA, & New Mexico).
Listen for me on a spring night...and I'll sing you to sleep
Take it from one who grew up -- and still lives -- across the street from a pond, Joyce Sidman knows pond life! With the beautiful, strong first poem "Listen to Me" about the peeper frogs waking in the spring, SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN introduces readers to all aspects of pond life, from cattails to painted turtles to the food chain. In addition to poems written a variety of styles, Sidman also includes a paragraph of interesting facts about the subject. And it's all capped off with the Caldecott-honor-worthy woodcuts created by Beckie Prange. All in all, a wonderful read-aloud for kids grade 1-4 studying ponds, ecosystems, or poetry...or just for fun. "Listen to Me" joins my personal list of all-time favorite poems.2006 Caldecott Honor Book.

Bug bug bugsy
Poetry's not my bag, baby, so when I find myself reviewing a children's book of poetry my confidence just ooooozes away.Oozily.I know enough about poetry to know that I can't judge meter or metaphor or any of that jazz.I can tell if a line scans or not, and that officially marks the limits of my poetry-criticism qualifications.It's so much easier when a book garners universal praise.That way I know it's good and I can follow suit.Now as of this review "Song of the Water Boatman" has appeared on School Library Journals Best Books of 2005, the Boston-Globe Winners of 2005, the Bulletin of the Center For Children's Books Blue Ribbon Awards of 2005, and the New York Public Library's 100 Titles For Reading and Sharing circa 2005.Oh.And a little something called the Caldecott Honor, but who's counting?From all these high muckety-mucks in their own little separate worlds, I can only reach the obvious conclusion that there's something pretty cool going on with "Water Boatman" here.A quick peek inside, a swift skimming of a poem or two, and then an in-depth read of every word and image did indeed convince me that it's a lovely work.Would I go about handing it shiny silver medals?Probably not.But as poetry goes it's gorgeous and, almost more importantly, there's a little non-fiction stirred into the mix for spice!
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Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Poetry / Plays    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children's poetry, American    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Poetry    8. Poetry    9. Poetry - General    10. Pond animals    11. Ponds    12. Science & Nature - General    13. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    4. Children: Grades 7-9    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Implements, utensils, etc.    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Science & Nature - General    11. Spies    12. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (4)

The Nature of Science and Evolution
Anyone arguing about science and using the words "proven," "hoax," "proof," have NO idea what Science actually IS, let alone religious faith. THERE IS NO "PROOF" INVOLVED IN SCIENCE. The concept of proof is limited to the court and legal systems as well as to Geometry class proofs,a class which I doubt many of the naysayers actually took when they were in High School.
Challenging... yet inviting
Of Physical Science books I have yet to find one superior to this.The text is thorough enough to be challenging yet inviting to the student.Regardless of your religious beliefs I would highly recommend this text.Our local Christian school uses this text and skips over the evolution part.Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.It's such a shame.Another plus for this series is the support materials offered to supplement the text.There are skill sheets, lab sheets, CDroms, test booklets, a plethora of choices.Great for home schoolers!

Darwin Fish
Even if you do not beleive the evolution theory, that does notRead more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General   

Reviews (8)

maps and more!
Excellent book! Not only it teaches about maps (from the map of your room to the map of the world) and geography but it is also excellent for teaching about
Me on the Map
My six year old daughter loved this book.The words were easy enough for her to read and the repetition reinforced her early reading skills.We used this book as an introduction to perspective, maps, and self-awareness.The pictures were fresh, clean, and uncluttered.We plan on getting the rest of the series.

Great Perspective for Younger Children
A very simplistic but impacting look at maps from a me/mine perspective beginning with her room, house, street... all the way to world and then back to room.The theme is "everyone has a special place in the world and this is how you'll find me"; using a map.The illustrations of the map are very vague in terms of detail, but gives a great relative perspective of the area it comprises.It will introduce the younger children and provide a more vivid explanation to the older ones.I would recommend ages K-4th grades. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Maps    7. Science & Nature - General    8. Atlases    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General   

Reviews (7)

Educational and Fun
My 3 year old daughter loves it.It explains the process at a level she can understand.Great when used with the Butterfly Garden.

The Perfect Butterfly Book for Preschool-Third Grade
I am the director of a lower school (pre-k-2nd) and we have used this book for years. It is the perfect way to introduce children to the wonderful world of metamorphosis. And if you can also actually get the Painted Lady Butterflies and "grow" them in your class, it is an invaluable experience. We have our children keep journals and then buy them each a copy of this great book (it's cheap in paperback) and they get to keep the experience forever. One correction to another review: painted ladies and all butterflies do spin chrysalids, not cocoons. They look similar, but the chrysalis usually has little specks of gold in it, which is where the name comes from. Yes I am a huge fan of this book--and a huge fan of butterflies. This author also has a lovely book about honeybees, called Honeybees.

THE Book to accompany Butterfly Houses, Pavillions
We got this book in addition to a home "Butterfly Pavillion" by InsectLore. It prepared my son and us for what to expect as the Painted Lady Butterflies were developing through each stage. So even duringthe lulls in the action, we could spark some anticipation. Which heightened the whole process for my 5 year old. Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Insects, Spiders, etc.    2. Butterflies    3. Caterpillars    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Juvenile literature    7. Metamorphosis    8. Nature - General    9. Science & Nature - General    10. Animals    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / General    12. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (1)

How do Apples Grow?
Betsy Maestro has done it again!Her book about how apples grow is both informative and fun to read.Students will be captivated by the story andthe pictures.This book is a must have for all classrooms! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Flowers    5. Juvenile literature    6. Plants    7. Reproduction    8. Science & Nature - Flowers & Plants    9. Science & Nature - General    10. Science & Nature - Trees & Forests    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / General   

Subjects:  1. Activity programs in education    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. Elementary School Science And Health    6. Preschool & Kindergarten    7. Science    8. Science (Specific Aspects)    9. Study and teaching    10. Study and teaching (Elementary    11. Study and teaching (Elementary)    12. Teaching Methods & Materials - Science & Technology    13. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Science & Technology    14. General science    15. Primary / junior schools    16. Science: General Issues    17. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (7)

Everything has worked as written
My DH is using this and other books for a science and gadget class with 10 K-2 kids.He likes this book as the experiments are easy and fast paced enough to keep the kids' attention, a real issue with this bunch.
A lot of parent/kid fun
I have bought many of these kinds of books for my now 5.5 year old.Each book is different, some with more stuff that is age appropriate than others, but I've ALWAYS manage to find at least a few things in these books to have an hour of fun father/daughter time.This book is no exception.The simple experiments on color, gravity and energy are quite simple, enjoyable to do, and my daughter did learn a thing or two.The old she gets, the more I'll be we will draw from this well written book.
I like it!!!!
I disagree with Dixie who had written the previous review! The bookwas not written for 3 year olds! A good parent reviews the info and suggested age levels in the review section before buying. We have been very happy with these books. After buying one other, we bought this one and love it just as much. These experiments are simple to read and study. But the teach important science concepts so I am as happy as a mom can be...but again...I read the age level before buying the book! Someday I hope to make a list of recommended books...this will be one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Science    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Experiments    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Science    8. Science & Nature - Experiments & Projects    9. Science & Technology - Experiments & Projects    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Energy, weight, force & movement    12. General science    13. Interactive & activity books & packs    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Experiments & Projects    15. Natural history & pets   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General