Review by Booklist Review
Books in the Step-by-Step Experiments series offer several science activities related to a central theme. Each volume begins with a chapter introducing the general topic and another, titled Seven Science Steps, that lists and briefly explains the procedures consistently followed in each experiment: research the facts, form a question, predict the outcome, gather supplies, follow the directions, review the results, and reach a conclusion related to the prediction. Each of the four remaining chapters presents an experiment with the same seven-step approach, which is carried out in the clearly written text and colorfully illustrated with photos and digital drawings. Magnets uses supplies readily available in most homes, with the possible exception of the magnets themselves. The series' clean, spacious page design gives visual clarity to each activity presented, and the pictures clearly illustrate the instructions. A colorful and practical introduction to science experiments for young children.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-4-These titles introduce readers to their featured topics and discuss the importance of the scientific method as a means to conduct research. After establishing the "Seven Science Steps" (research, question, guess, gather, experiment, review, and conclusion), each volume provides four related experiments. The activities all contain review sections that, unfortunately, tell readers, in no uncertain terms, the results they should have achieved. For example, an experiment with wedges in Simple Machines states in "Review the Results" that "The soap did not split with the ruler. The soap split with the screwdriver." Young scientists will wonder why they should bother doing the experiments if they already know what results are expected. The links available through the publisher's website are not user-friendly. Clear language, clutter-free layouts, simple illustrations, and full-page photographs add some appeal. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
