Member Reviews
I really liked the book, explained in a simple but precise way. Everything is clear with the illustrations to color without the need for overwhelming texts. The information is contextualized very well, starting from the bigbang and the formation of atoms in the universe.
It defines what an atom is and the states of matter. Subsequently, the chemicals bonds and ionic bonds are defined, in addition to the positive or negative charges of the atoms, which are fundamental concepts to understand their structure, the chemical reactions and the exchange of electrons / energy.
The information is well contextualized within the natural sciences: phenomena that occur in the atmosphere, geology and biology, explaining fundamental chemical processes that allow life. It also includes physiological processes in our body, exemplifying some chemical reactions. At the end, an introduction to the periodic table of the elements and causes of global warming is included.
I feel confident recommending the book to educators and parents, I will include it in homescholing with my son.
My First Book About Chemistry is a neat STEAM based book with black and white pages to color which give a short capsule overview of biochemistry, geochemistry, basic atomic theory, and nuclear chemistry. Due out 15th Jan 2020 from Dover, it's 48 pages and will be available in paperback format.
I have been talking about STE(A)M education and books since the very earliest days of this blog. It's vitally important to expose kids to the concepts as soon as possible. They're the ones who are going to be making our future. They're the innovators, creators, inventors, discoverers of tomorrow's world. The more our kids are engaging with the world around them, the better. Critical thinking skills are more vitally important now than ever before. We're bombarded with messaging and media spin from the moment we're born and learning to differentiate the truth is a vital survival skill. That's where STE(A)M comes in. Finding fun ways to keep their interest is key.
This would be a great choice for classroom or homeschool use as well as a welcome gift for a science interested youngster (circa 8-12 years). Learning about chemistry while coloring the pages is fun and a lot more effective for learning than just reading alone.
Four stars.
This is another great book in Dover's educational series of science-based coloring books. It's packed with information and great detailed drawings, and could be used by elementary aged kids but also kids who are quite a bit older. Lots of topics are explored. The price point is excellent ($5.99 retail), as always with Dover books. I'll probably get this one for my younger son who loves science. I'd recommend coloring it with colored pencils since lots of the drawings are rather detailed.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
My First Book About Chemistry by Patricia J. Wynne, Donald M. Silver is a awesome educational tool for a young learner. This book teaches the reader many interesting and important facts about Chemistry and life on earth. This book is filled with realistic illustrations and easy to understand captions. You will explore topics such as Chemical energy, thunderstorms, acids and bases, "smell cells", and animal poisons. Each page can be colored with markers or crayons as you read and learn. I would recommend this book be in every library and in every school teachers classroom.