Isabel Thomas

I wish I'd had this during my high school chemistry classes. At the time, I felt as if I'd been thrown into the stoichiometry deep end with only the vaguest of conceptual life rafts. The way this book breaks down how elements are related and connected to each other...how they were discovered and what they're used for...even the brief mention at the end of why elements are reactive/non-reactive and how they bond with other elements...all of this would've been a welcome conceptual framework as show more I began diving deeper into the subject.

There are a few typos and some entries where the symbols describing the element contradict the text (e.g., the symbol indicates the element is a strong conductor while the text says it's non-conductive), but overall, this is a vivid, engaging, and very thorough introduction to the periodic table and the elements. It made me want to try a chemistry class again...maybe this time it wouldn't feel as if I were beating my head against a brick wall. show less

The author is a science writer who, as mentioned in the book jacket, is also a children's author shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize, the Association for Science Education Book of the Year, and the blue Peter Book Award. I've not heard of these awards, and will be sure to research more about them.

This well-written, and lovingly illustrated book is the story of a mother fox who seeks food for her three baby cubs. As the months progress, she teaches them how to hunt for show more food and shelter. Sadly, one rainy night she is killed by a car hitting her. As her body flies through the air and lands on the ground, the author teaches that now all is not lost. As the seasons turn and fallen leaves decay, the body of the fox is used for the earth by planes, air, and various birds and bugs. Now, new life feeds and grows.

As the author teaches, "every particle that once was fox finds a new place in the world." And, life is not lost, death is not the end, but a new beginning.

Used as a teaching tool, at the end of the story, the author writes in more detail about what happens when something dies. Reinforcing the fact that Death is not just an end, but in reality it is a brand new beginning, this book might be used for a child who lost a beloved pet and/or loved one.

Yet another example of how illustrated books teach lessons through text and illustrations. I highly recommend this one!

Four Stars show less

This artful and accessible guide to the periodic table - the ultimate reference tool for scientists worldwide - names all 118 chemical elements and helps young readers understand the remarkable ways we have learned to use them.

Graphically stunning layouts feature each element's letter symbol and atomic number, exploring its attributes, characteristics, uses, and interesting stories behind its discovery. Complete with a comprehensive introduction, conclusion, and glossary, this is the perfect show more introduction to chemistry for inquisitive minds. show less

Complete with a magnifying glass to expand the scope of this tour of the systems of the human body, this is a fun book of answers to many of the questions one might have. As a retired nurse and mother of a slew of growing people and relative to many with questions they'd rather read instead of asking, I HIGHLY recommend it!
The illustrations by Damien Weighill are fun, simple, brilliantly colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and show more great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, church library, health care office, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions via NetGalley. Thank you! show less