These books introduce scientific concepts and include related experiments. Explanations incorporate mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics for a whole-world understanding. Although attractive and simple on paper, a few experiments prove tricky to implement or yield subtle or underwhelming results. While accurate and complete descriptions predominate, some are simplified, such as the definition of zero decibels. An objective section on climate change in Weather refers to "the last few decades," which seems a bit vague. The books boast clear black-and-white and color photographs and full-color illustrations depicting everyday examples of these changing materials. Each title includes information on science museums to visit. Recommended–S. McClendon, Friends School of Atlanta, Decatur, GASchool Library Journal
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This series demonstrates that even young readers can embrace a green lifestyle. Integral to each topic are the hands-on activities that encourage children to explore the concepts being introduced. Each title defines the topic and then presents our current dilemma. Composting presents food chains and webs, focusing on the decomposers. The bulk of the book is a how-to for vermicomposting, with detailed instructions on setting up a worm bin to compost kitchen scraps. Recycling details the problems caused by the massive amounts of waste produced daily and the landfills that result. Energy describes our nonrenewable sources and presents some of the alternatives. Water makes the case for water conservation in spite of its seeming abundance. Each title gives practical examples for reducing, reusing, and recycling specific to its topic. The pages include blocks of text, captioned photographs, and call-out boxes. The activities lack sufficient introductory material and, in some cases, adequate detail in the supplies lists. A concluding discussion for each activity helps readers to make real-world connections. Spot illustrations demonstrate the numbered instructions, but some procedures, such as building a compost bin in Recycling, require more detail. Still, young conservationists looking for hands-on activities will find these timely titles attractive.-Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
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