Natural Or Man-Made?

November 1, 2011

K-Gr 3-Designated as level K-1, 1-2, or 2-3, each of these slender volumes introduces a science concept by pairing sharp, well-chosen color photos with brief explanatory texts. Every title comes with review questions and quick comprehension/extension exercises. Safety Rules and Science Tools are particular standouts for creating starting points for any level of scientific enquiry. Conversely, Mouse is really an introduction to the components of a PC work station that is unlikely to teach even kindergarteners anything that they don't already know, and in some titles the concepts are oversimplified. For example, Living or Nonliving? declares, "A book cannot move on its own. It must be nonliving," and What Is It Made of? includes an unlikely challenge to identify all the materials in a complex playground structure from a photo.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2011
Grades K-2 This entry in the My Science Library series helps little ones decide whether objects come directly from the environment or have been manipulated by man. Hicks tackles some pretty difficult concepts; for instance, some materials that are handled by humans, like clay, are natural, yet a pot made by human hands from the clay is man made. By using bright color pictures and clear captions, the point is driven home through repetition, presenting several natural objects and the man-made creations fashioned from them. She also includes some surprising uses for natural resources; for instance, limestone is an ingredient in some toothpastes. Kids may also learn new words, like environment and avocados. Back matter includes a glossary, websites for reference, and a teaching focus section to aid discussions in the classroom.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)