|
The Adventures of Adam the Atom |
Casey Waid |
Well-illustrated children's picture book that
makes a brave attempt at putting across atomic structure and chemical
bonding to young readers.
 |
7-10 |
|
Albert Einstein and his inflatable universe |
Mike Goldsmith |
Reasonable combination of biography of
Einstein and his science, but somehow doesn't quite click at this level. |
11-15 |
|
Angry Animals Shuffle
Puzzle Book |
Nick Arnold |
Another attempt to spice up a
Horrible Science topic, here with six sliding puzzles. Fun, but not perfect.
|
7-10 |
|
Animal |
David Burnie (Ed.) |
Wonderful illustrated reference guide to the
animal kingdom - not popular science really, though. Technically for adults
but works fine for children too |
Family |
|
Animal Baths |
Beth Fielding |
Quite interesting to discover
the range of animal cleaning techniques, but doesn't set the world on fire.
|
8-11 |
|
Animal Colours |
Beth Fielding |
Collections of animals with
different colours, briefly described - pictures are good, but doesn't tell
us enough of the whys and wherefores of the colours.
|
7-11 |
|
Animal Tongues |
Dawn Cusick |
Remarkable range of uses for tongues and great photos
in this well illustrated tour of the animal kingdom's mouthy appendages.
|
8-11 |
|
Ask Me Anything |
Kim Bryan et al |
Lively and heavily illustrated
trivia reference, with lots of material, but hasn't got enough science and
is quite difficult to look things up in.
|
9-13 |
|
Bang! The Complete
History of the Universe |
Patrick Moore,
Brian May, Chris Lintott |
A superbly illustrated
introduction to the basics of cosmology, for older children and adults,
though we think it works best for 11-16 readers.
|
11+ |
|
Biology: life as we know
it! |
Dan Green and Simon Basher |
Tiny format and dramatic
Japanese-style illustrations make this an original looking book on biology - but the heavy
handed attempt to sound cool won't appeal to everyone.. |
10-12 |
|
Body |
Richard Walker
(Robert Winston - editorial consultant) |
Stunning 3D graphics of the
human body, derived from MRI scans, used to build up a graphic picture of
our inner structures. |
9-16 |
|
Body Science |
James Cracknell |
Goes beyond the obvious
science-of-the-body to use the body as a springboard for investingating
different areas of science in good DK fashion. |
10-14 |
|
Bug Butts |
Dawn Cusick |
Manages to provide a
surprising range of activities that occur around insect bottoms - not
exactly science curriculum stuff, but appreciated by younger readers. |
8-11 |
|
Bulging Brains |
Nick Arnold |
How can a young reader fail to enjoy a book
with instructions on DIY brain surgery? Excellent mixture of brain facts and
yuck factor. |
10-14 |
|
Bulging Brain Experiments |
Nick Arnold |
The DIY version of Bulging
Brains. Benefits from a plastic cover and full colour, but is a bit of a let
down, because the experiments tend to be optical illusions and the like. |
8-12 |
|
Can You Feel the Force |
Richard Hammond |
Good and well-illustrated
introduction to physics from forces to light, apparently authored by TV
presenter Richard Hammond. At its best when it gets practical. |
10-13 |
|
Car Science |
Richard Hammond |
Using cars to illustrate
science, mostly around the physics of motion and energy, this is an
enjoyable approach, hosted by Top Gear presenter Hammond.
|
7-11 |
|
Chemical Chaos |
Nick Arnold |
Sound introduction to chemistry with enough
pongs, bangs and mad goings on to please any fan of horrible science. |
9-14 |
|
Climbing the Rainbow |
Carol Arnold |
Seven short stories putting
across different aspects of science for young readers.. |
8-11 |
|
[Would you believe] Cobwebs stop wounds
bleeding |
Richard Platt |
An enjoyable exploration of
the history of medicine, particularly the wackier quack cures and mistakes,
but also covering the oddities that do work (like the title) and the key
elements of modern medicine. |
9-12 |
|
Codes: how to make them
and break them |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Very practical introduction to
codes and ciphers with the usual Murderous Maths fun elements and a good mix
of history and how-to.. |
9-13 |
|
Cracking Codes |
Diana Kimpton |
Secret messages, dark mysteries - it's all
there in the history of codes and ciphers, and this book makes a great
introduction to the subject.. |
9-14 |
|
The Cause of Mosquitoes'
Sorrow |
Surendra Verma |
Chronological trip through
scientific breakthroughs, beginnings and blunders providing quick tasters.
|
10+ |
|
Dangerous Dinosaurs Jigsaw
Book |
Nick Arnold |
Great fun with six 48-piece jigsaws, lots of info on
dinosaurs and the rare opportunity for a science book that will work with a
younger than usual reader. |
7-11 |
|
The Dinosaur Magnet
Activity Book |
Jill Sawyer |
Young readers' dinosaur fun with four board page spreads and 11 magnets - but could be a
bit more for the money. |
5-8 |
| Do
You Feel Lucky |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Of all the mindboggling fields of mathematics
there is no other than combines so much everyday value with being so
contrary to common sense. Delightful and fascinating. |
11-15 |
|
Do Try This At Home |
Punk Science |
Big, colourful, learn science through practical experiments in the home
book from the Science Museum's comedy team. Also a DVD of things not to do at home. |
8-12 |
|
Dr Frankenstein's Human Body
Book |
Richard Walker |
Imaginative and fun take on a book exploring the working of the human body,
though the Frankenstein part is rather underplayed. |
9-12 |
|
Earth (e.explore series) |
Matt Turner |
Series with good web links and
especially attractive online clipart, but the book on the Earth isn't really
readable through, nor does it work as a reference
|
9-13 |
|
e.encyclopedia of science (e.explore series) |
Camilla Hallinan (Ed.) |
Series with good web links and especially attractive online clipart. Quite a
good young person's science encyclopedia, but more suited to school than
home.
|
9-13 |
|
The Essential Arithmetricks [AKA Murderous Maths: Tricks of the Trade] |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Arithmetic is kind of useful, but could be
seen as dull. Not any more once the murderously mathematical Kjartan Poskitt
gets his hands on it. |
8-12 |
|
Evil Inventions |
Nick Arnold |
The master of popular science
for kids casts his eye over the world of inventions, both barmy and
practical. Not much science, but good fun.
|
9-13 |
|
Evolution, Nature and stuff |
Glenn Murphy |
Despite a rather irritating format, a strong,
enjoyable introduction to animal biology with an excellent section on
evolution.
|
9-12 |
|
Evolve or Die |
Phil Gates |
Evolution gets the Horrid Science treatment in
a fair and effective book, slightly let down by a couple of errors, but
generally a useful intro to evolution and genetics.
|
10-14 |
|
Explosive Experiments |
Nick Arnold |
A good entry in the series,
describing the importance of experiments to science, and key examples in
different fields, made special by the addition of a pack of do-it-yourself
experiment cards |
9-13 |
|
Extreme Science |
David Orme |
Good entry in a series for
reluctant and struggling readers. Really thought provoking and some good,
striking design.. |
8-12 |
|
Famously Foul Experiments |
Nick Arnold |
Physics, biology and cosmology
in a set of DIY experiments. Tend to be a little indirect, so lack impact,
but plenty of science. |
10-13 |
|
Fatal Forces |
Nick Arnold |
Otherwise excellent tour of the world of force
brought crashing to earth by perpetuation of the existence of centrifugal
force. |
10-14 |
|
Freaky Food Experiments |
Nick Arnold |
A collection of experiments
using food and drink with a handy plastic cover - bound to cause a little
science to be learned and a lot of mess to be created. Fun. |
9-12 |
|
Frightening Light |
Nick Arnold |
What there is in this introduction to light is
quite good (with a couple of exceptions), but there's a lot missing. |
10-14 |
|
Frightening Light +
Sounds Dreadful |
Nick Arnold |
Good value two-books-in one
combo. Could be a bit better on topics, but overall effective on both light
and sound. |
8-12 |
|
From Atoms to Infinity |
Mary & John Gribbin |
A collection of short pieces on everything from the size of space to
complexity theory. Some of it good, some less so.
|
9-12 |
|
The Future is Wild |
Douglas Dixon & John Adams |
Wonderful idea, mostly extremely well done, of
speculating on the way animal life will evolve in the next 200 million
years. Though technically an adult book, this glossy, illustrated volume is
fine for younger readers too. |
11+ |
|
Galileo (What's Their
Story?) |
Jacqueline Mitton |
Reasonable biography of
Galileo for the young reader. Has most of the facts, but lacks a certain
bite, and compromises a little in the simplification
|
7-11 |
|
The Gobsmacking Galaxy |
Kjartan Poskitt |
The truth may be out there, but it's not all
in here - a fair but unexciting galactic tour. Marginally better than Space,
Stars & Slimy Aliens |
9-14 |
|
Gross Universe |
Jeff Szpirglas |
Almost all the yucky bits of
human and animal bodily functions exposed to the young reader, from snot to
farts - bound to attract. A bit like walking around a good museum of bodily
grossness.
|
8-11 |
|
The Horrible Science of YOU |
Nick Arnold |
Very readable book on the science of the body with plenty of fun facts, and
a better exploration of themes than many of the competitors.
|
7-12 |
|
How Loud Can You Burp? |
Glen Murphy |
More answers to children's science questions -
the dialogue format is a little forced, but plenty of good entertaining
stuff in here.
|
9-13 |
|
How Cool Stuff Works |
Chris Woodford et al |
There are few things more
appealing to a young reader than cool, and this book is packed with
explanations of the cool technology around us, superbly illustrated
|
9-13 |
|
How to Build a Time
Machine |
Hazel Richardson |
Uses the concept of building a time machine to provide
an excellent introduction to the history of time measurement and a fair
exploration of black holes, but gets in a twist over the time machine itself
|
9-12 |
|
How to Split the Atom |
Hazel Richardson |
Good children's popular
science approach to the basics of atoms using the pretence of being a "how
to split the atom" guide - sometimes a little worthy, but mostly good fun
|
10-13 |
|
Human Body (e.explore series) |
Richard Walker |
Series with good web links and especially attractive
online clipart. The book gives a very good, traditional exploration of the
body
|
11-14 |
|
The Incredible Internet |
Michael Cox |
The Internet is an essential part of modern
life, and having an introduction to it is an essential for today's young
technologist. The historical background here is fine, but the majority of
the content disappoints |
10-14 |
|
Insect (e.explore series) |
David Burnie |
Series with good web links and especially attractive online clipart. An
enjoyable tour around the lives and nature of insects.
|
9-13 |
|
Instructions for Me |
Cinthia Jan/Jennifer Miles |
Well-illustrated picture book
in rhyme that takes us into the mystery of DNA and how it can instruct cells
to make up the different parts of us and everything alive.
|
4-8 |
|
Inventors & their bright ideas |
Mike Goldsmith |
Enjoyable mini-biographies of inventors from
Archimedes to Baird, but lacks a little oomph (perhaps nature of subject). |
10-14 |
|
It's All in your Head |
Sylvia Funston & Jay Ingram |
A good grounding in the
functions of the brain, from senses to recognition and memory. Reads well,
though the text seems aimed at a slightly higher age than the presentation. |
9-13 |
|
Jig Jiggle Sneeze |
Joy Vitalis |
Interesting idea of explaining
a cold virus through the adventures of Rhina O'Virus, but the use of
metaphor is so strong it's difficult to spot the science. |
4-8 |
|
Killer Energy |
Nick Arnold |
One of the best of the Horrible Science
series, with an excellent introduction to energy, temperature and
thermodynamics. (Much more fun than that sounds!). |
10-14 |
|
Killer Energy + Shocking
Electricity |
Nick Arnold |
A very good value combo of one
of the best of the Horrible Science series, with an excellent introduction
to energy, temperature and thermodynamics and a fair go at electricity. |
8-12 |
|
Leonardo da Vinci & his super-brain |
Michael Cox |
Delightful story of Leonardo, taking in
history, art, science, engineering - popular science for the younger reader
with plenty of flair and fun. |
10-14 |
|
Living Science |
Anon |
What promised to be a good overview of physics
and its applications (title is a misnomer), let down by feeling of being a
string of unrelated articles, old fashioned science and lack of
acknowledgement of author(s)
|
9-12 |
|
Mammal
(e.explore series) |
Jen Green & David Burnie |
Series with good web links and
especially attractive online clipart (who can resist cuddly mammals?). Like
others in the series isn't readable through, but does work well as a reference
|
9-13 |
|
[Would you believe]
Marzipan contains cyanide |
Richard Platt |
A fun tour of the weird and
wacky side of food that takes in everything from dinosaur poo and roast
dormouse to poisonous meals and factory farming. Could do with a little more
science, though. |
9-12 |
|
Mathmagicians |
Johnny Ball |
The king of British maths TV
brings his magic touch to measurements and the use of maths in them, from
ancient times to the present day. Fun and effective heavily illustrated
book. |
9-13 |
|
The Mean and Vulgar Bits |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Fair introduction to fractions, spiced up with
a side line in averages, but try as he might, it's hard to make the subject
matter thrilling. |
8-13 |
|
More
Murderous Maths |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Very different from the original murderous
maths - more a case of junior mathematical puzzles and diversions, and
that's not a bad thing at all |
9-13 |
|
Murderous Maths |
Kjartan Poskitt |
We get an excellent introduction to the basics
of maths - the only reason for the three stars is, the basics aren't very
exciting! |
9-13 |
|
Murderous Maths: Desperate Measures |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Measuring,units, shapes, time measurement and
angles all come under the Murderous Maths microscope. With more practical
exercises than usual, a great addition to the series.
|
9-11 |
|
My Magic World |
Viswan Rahasya/Amal |
Well-written picture book on
the aspects of the Earth that support life - air, water, gravity, magnetic
field etc. Illustrations not quite as good as the text, but fine.
|
4-8 |
|
Nature Shockers |
Keltie Thomas |
A nice idea - presenting the
odd bits of the world, particularly biology, is a shock, horror tabloid
fashion - but it gets a bit wearing after a while
|
9-12 |
|
Night Sky Atlas |
Robin Scagell |
Beautifully illustrated and very effective
guide to the night sky that should appeal to all ages
|
9+ |
|
The Number Devil |
Hans Magnus Enzensberger |
Delicious and successful
attempt to make maths fun by turning it into a story. It works so well
because it reaches to the very root of mathematics. Excellent!
|
9-13 |
|
Numbers: The Key to the Universe |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Moments of joy with golden
ratios, primes and more, but rather too much tedious numerical manipulation
to keep the attention |
9-13 |
|
Open Me Up |
Richard Walker et al |
Book on the body that's so
much more than just another illustrated anatomy book - great articles on
everything from history of medicine to how the body moves. Recommended. |
10-14 |
|
Oxford Children's Book of
Science |
Charles Taylor & Stephen Pople |
A good stab at covering all
science in one book - well illustrated and designed. The text is just
occasionally a little worthy, but mostly reads well and achieves its purpose
|
11-14 |
|
Oxford First Book of
Maths |
Rose Griffiths |
Excellent introduction to maths for 5-8 year olds,
well illustrated and with plenty of interaction (though does bow to fashion
a little) - rating only reflects that it's not popular maths per se
|
5-8 |
|
Oxford First Book of
Science |
Nina Morgan |
Reasonable introduction to science for 6-8 year olds,
covering UK curriculum topics, but a little old fashioned in style
|
6-8 |
|
Oxford First Book of
Space |
Andrew Langley |
Well illustrated and enjoyable introduction to
astronomy and space for 6-8 year olds, though over-focussed on the solar
system and a little wordy.
|
6-8 |
|
The Phantom X |
Kjartan Poskitt |
Algebra often frightens off younger readers
before they get started, and this book provides it with just the fun it
needs to make all the difference
|
11-15 |
|
Physics: Why Matter Matters |
Dan Green and Simon Basher |
Tiny format and dramatic Japanese-style
illustrations make this an original looking book on physics - but the heavy
handed attempt to sound cool won't appeal to everyone.. |
10-12 |
|
Pick Me Up |
David Roberts & Jeremy Leslie |
Stunningly different book with
a collection of fascinating pages on totally different subjects. Designed
more for a dip in than an end-to-end read, it will appeal even to adults,
though some will find the format confusing. |
10-15 |
|
The Prometheus Project: Trapped, Captured |
Douglas E. Richards |
A science fiction adventure with plenty of
drama, but designed to put across ideas about science and the scientific
method. Occasionally a touch obvious, but generally works well. |
10-13 |
|
Riotous Robots |
Mike Goldsmith |
Enjoyable exploration of robots in fiction and
reality (mostly reality) with good cartoon illustrations. Rather bitty,
though. |
9-13 |
|
Rock & Mineral (e.explore
series) |
John Farndon |
Series with good web links and
especially attractive online clipart. Like others in the series isn't really
readable through, but does work better as a reference than most
|
9-13 |
|
Science Detectives |
Mike Goldsmith |
Large format, highly
illustrated book showing how science has developed through the life and work
of key individuals through history. Well pitched at the audience - looks
good and reads well.
|
9-12 |
|
Science Magic in the Bathroom |
Richard Robinson |
Lovely mix of magic tricks and the science behind
them, mostly on water, but with bits of acoustics and refractive index
thrown in. Great fun
|
9-12 |
|
Science Magic in the Bedroom |
Richard Robinson |
Rather tenuous connection between bedrooms and
subjects like optical illusions and the mechanism of flight, but another
successful collection of science-teaching tricks
|
9-12 |
|
Science Magic in the
Kitchen |
Richard Robinson |
Great idea of presenting
science experiments as magic tricks. The hands-on approach works well in
this mostly chemistry-based book set in the kitchen
|
9-12 |
|
Science Magic in the
Living Room |
Richard Robinson |
More science pretending to be
magic tricks - in principle linked by the living room, in practice by
Newton. A couple of quibbles, but largely very good
|
9-12 |
|
Scientists & their mind-blowing experiments |
Mike Goldsmith |
Nine top (dead) scientists revealed in all
their glory: biography, work and contribution to history. You may not agree
with the selection - but that's part of the fun.. |
10-14 |
|
Scientists Anonymous |
Patricia Fara |
Interesting
revelations of the life and work of often forgotten early female scientists.
Slow to start, but a great inspiration for a teenage audience once it gets
going |
13-16 |
|
Shocking Electricity |
Nick Arnold |
A mostly solid entry to the Horrible Science
series, largely effective in introducing electricity, but rather skipped
some of the basics. |
10-14 |
|
Seriously Squishy Jigsaw Book |
Nick Arnold |
Six fun 48 piece jigsaws with a bit of science
content - entertaining, though science content is lower than most Horrible
Science titles. |
6-10 |
|
Seriously Squishy Quiz
Book Pack |
Nick Arnold |
Not as strong a popular
science source as the more conventional Horrible Science books, but good fun
and would make an excellent present that might lead a young reader into this
excellent series. |
9-11 |
|
Smart Kids:
Discovering Life: Water, Air,
Matter |
Softkey/Science Museum |
Fun interactive CD-ROM with 100 experiments to
gain insights into water, air and matter. Some problems with the transfer
from French, though |
9-11 |
|
Smart Kids: Touring the Planets |
Softkey/Science Museum |
Fun interactive CD-ROM with 100 experiments to
gain insights into solar system science. Some problems with the transfer
from French, though |
9-11 |
|
Sounds Dreadful |
Nick Arnold |
Sound made simple with excellent illustrations
- not entirely popular science, and couple of small flaws, but still good. |
10-13 |
|
Space, Black Holes and
Stuff (Science Sorted series) |
Glenn Murphy |
Plenty of good content in this
book on astronomy and cosmology, but a few flaws make it not entirely
satisfactory. |
9-12 |
|
Space Travel (e.explore
series) |
Ian Graham |
A solid entry in the
Google-linked e.explore series. The page layout is a bit messy and not
really a through-read, but a good reference and useful website
|
9-12 |
|
Space, Stars & Slimy Aliens |
Nick Arnold |
Not our favourite in the series - very skimpy
on everything but the solar system, and sometimes tedious there, but useful
basics. See also Gobsmacking Galaxy
|
8-13 |
|
Strange New Species |
Elin Kelsey |
An enjoyable tour of the weird
and wonderful in species, with some hot topics like cloning thrown in. A
collection of individual two pages articles, but readable nonetheless.
|
9-12 |
|
Stuff that Scares your
Pants Off |
Glenn Murphy |
Interesting idea of basing a children's book around
things that scare us, but doesn't get the age targeting right and doesn't
always work.
|
11-13 |
|
The Stunning Science of
Everything |
Nick Arnold |
The Horrible Science team go
large format in a whirlwind trip around all of science from the very small
to the incredibly vast = and it works wonderfully well
|
9-13 |
|
The Terrible Truth about Time |
Nick Arnold |
One of the better Horrible Science entries,
with a gallop around time, measuring it, relativity and more
|
10-14 |
|
Time Travel for
Beginners |
Mary & John Gribbin |
Good introduction to the
physics of time travel, but I'm not sure people of this age wouldn't prefer
an adult book.
|
13-16 |
|
Train your Brain to be a
Genius |
John Woodward |
Much better than the title
suggests - a great, highly illustrated guide to how the brain works and how
to make the most of your brain, with lots of fun activities.
|
10-14 |
|
Transform[ed]: How
Everyday Things Are Made |
Bill Slavin |
Excellent introduction to the
manufacturing process of everything from chocolate to surfboards, with an
enjoyable short historical introduction and a well-illustrated step-by-step
description of manufacture
|
8-12 |
|
Wasted World |
Nick Arnold |
A young reader's introduction
to the important topic of climate change and environmental science. Gets
four stars because it is important, but comes across as rather dull with
occasionally trite 'solutions'.
|
8-12 |
|
The Way Science Works |
Robin Kerrod & Sharon Ann Holgate |
Brilliant summary of the
physical sciences, brought alive by experiments that encourage the reader to
get into everything from chromatography to building an electric motor
|
9-13 |
|
The Way the Universe Works |
Robin Kerrod & Giles Sparrow |
Effective exploration of astronomy and cosmology
through experiment and observation, with a fair amount of the usual DK
illustrated genius
|
10-13 |
|
What Makes Me Me? |
Robert Winston |
Stunningly good DK
mega-illustrated guide to what make a human being and an individual person.
Everything from body parts to personality tests.
|
9-13 |
|
Wholly Irresponsible
Experiments |
Sean Connolly |
Sixty-five fun science
experiments to do in the home, learn a little science and make a mess while
your at it (hence irresponsible). An excellent gift for parents who like to
do things with their children, or older kids.
|
9+ |
|
Wholly Irresponsible
Exploits |
Sean Connolly |
Sixty-five more fun science
experiments to do in the home. As with the companion volume, an excellent gift for parents who like to
do things with their children, or older kids.
|
9+ |
|
Why does a ball bounce? |
Adam Hart-Davis |
The UK's favourite TV boffin
explains 101 phenomena - much too short, but still great fun. Not
specifically a children's book, but fine for a young audience.
|
10-14 |
|
Why Explore? |
Susan Lendroth |
Interesting attempt to bring
the wonder of scientific (and other) exploration for the sake of knowledge
to the younger audience through verse and imagery
|
3-7 |
|
Why is Snot Green? |
Glen Murphy |
Fun collection of interesting
science questions, from the book's title to "how big is the universe",
answered in an approachable but informative style.
|
10-14 |
|
Wow Events that Changed the World |
Philip Ardagh |
More historical summary
textbook than popular science book, with an odd choice of topics. Arguably
no science in it at all, the race to the moon being the closest subject.
|
11-14 |
|
Wow Ideas that Changed the World |
Philip Ardagh |
More cultural history summary
textbook than popular science book, with some interesting contact, but
missed opportunities to make things more engaging.
|
11-14 |
|
Your Planet Needs You |
Dave Reay |
Nice mix of cartoon strip and
text in a story that uncovers the realities of climate change, and what
readers can do to help fight it.
|
9-12 |
|
Zodiac: Celestial Circle of the Sun |
Jacqueline Mitton & Christina Balit |
Beautiful picture book of the zodiacal
constellations with interesting historical background, but worryingly never
says that astrology is bunk.
|
9-13 |
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