4/1/04 School Library Journal
Demonstrations of basic concepts in appealing packages. The first title carefully explains the way reflected light creates color and the way the human eye can be fooled by optical illusions. Experiments in Magic illustrate density, the properties of water molecules, and air pressure. A number of activities include the use of a heat source such as a candle. However, safety warnings appear at the beginning of each volume and individual experiments note when adult assistance is required. In Sports, an experiment with sneakers and leather-soled shoes provides a demonstration of friction and has practical application, as does finding the "sweet spot" on a baseball bat. Boxed sections list the items needed for each activity. Numerous clear photographs, simple computer-generated drawings, bold colorful backgrounds, and large-print texts will make these titles particularly attractive to beginning readers.