This is a slight departure from the sort of books I typically review, but ever since my father had a book published on science and experiments for elementary students (40+ years ago?), I’ve been interested in this sort of book. All of my children (now young adults) have shown great interest in science, which delights me (despite my own science ineptitude).
This iScience reader about sound is a delightful book that manages to address the younger reader without talking down to them. It does not take for granted there’s previous knowledge of what sound is or how it works (one of the first sentences is: “All sounds begin with vibrations.”). It speaks mostly of music, which is very appropriate to these students who may just be starting to play instruments, but even if not, the book offers up some very simple experiments with everyday household items (yes … really, some everyday household items and not just items that can be bought at a local specialty store).
In these few pages, the book even manages to offer up some information that was new to me (remember, I said I was not particularly science proficient) … that sound travels as much as four times faster in water than in air, travelling the length of thirteen football fields in one second. Awesome!
I quite enjoyed this book.
Looking for a good book? If you are a teacher, or a parent who loves teaching opportunities at home, then this book is really great for a science lesson in sound!
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
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Sound: Music to Our Ears
authors: Emily Sohn and Pam Wright
publisher: Norwood House Press
ISBN: 1599534193
hardcover, 32 pages