Communication

April 1, 2012

Gr 2-4-This series covers a surprisingly large amount of ground in each title, introducing the topics at their most basic level and increasing the complexity of the information. For example, Sports begins by discussing "Moving Your Body;" it goes on to present the role of muscles, blood circulation, and nutrition in body movements before covering how forces, including gravity and friction, are at play in athletics. It ties things up with a discussion of materials used in sports equipment and clothing. In every volume, selected words are bolded in the text and defined at the bottom of the page, as well in a glossary. Titles end with a simple experiment focusing on one aspect of the topic being discussed. The design is not visually exciting, though there are plenty of color photos and diagrams. Solid introductions.

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July 1, 2012
Colorful photos and clear diagrams make this an eye-catching book, and the simple sentences are a laudable attempt at explaining how various communication techniques use scientific principles. But the information, though accurate, is frequently simplistic, and no distinction is made between science and technology. Definitions are at the bottom of each page, and an experiment constructing a paper-cup telephone is appended. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)