Tag Archives: Physics

Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels by Daniel Kirk

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Newton and Curie are a pair of squirrels AND scientists. They spend their days near a school watching children on the playground and in their classroom. They observe the kids on the swings and seesaw and then watch the teacher’s lessons through the classroom window. Using what they observe, they build their own versions and discuss concepts like gravity, force and energy. One day, their bird friends’ nest falls out of the tree and Newton and Curie are to the rescue. They use a lever to enter the classroom and obtain materials necessary to fashion a pulley to return the nest to its place on the tree branch. And, they declare at the end “Science is fun!” . I have to agree!

This story is a great way to introduce some basic physics concepts in a fun, engaging manner. Illustrations are beautifully drawn and there is accompanying information about the real Newton and Curie, as well as a glossary and resource list. Author/illustrator Daniel Kirk, who gave us Library Mouse, creates a sweetly drawn, humorous and accessible introduction to scientific concepts that are exemplified all around us – especially on the playground!

Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate Feats of engineering with 25 projects (Build it yourself series)

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Summary:  Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate feats of Engineering with 25 projects by Donna Latham, is the latest edition of the excellent (Build it yourself series), which includes such titles as Backyard Biology: Investigate habitats outside your door with 25 projects and Robotics: discover the science and technology of the future with 20 projects by Kathy Ceceri.  “Bridges and Tunnels” explains in simple terms the social, scientific, natural and artistic forces behind the creation of bridges and tunnels.  Words that may be unfamiliar to young readers are highlighted and defined in boxes on the page they are discussed.  Several chapters cover the science (physics) of building bridges and tunnels and several cover well-known bridge and tunnel disasters and why they happened.   Each chapter offers clear instructions for experiments to demonstrate principles discussed in the chapter and instructions for a “build it yourself” project.  The volume is completed with a glossary, index and list of resources.  The author, Donna Latham has great credentials.  She is an award-winning author and playwright and the author of Amazing Biome Projects You Can Build Yourself, Deciduous Forests, Deserts, Garbage, Norah Jones, Oceans, Respiration and Photosynthesis, and Tundra.  She is also a librarian at the Schulz Graphic Novel Library, a muralist at Dartmouth College, and a staff writer for the comics journalism website The Beat (www.comicsbeat.com).

What I like about it:   Purchase this for the simple, explanatory writing style and the many project ideas it offers your students.  It was written for 4th through 6th grade students, but would work well in a middle school library.   As a basic text for understanding the physics and engineering behind building structures, this is an excellent introduction.  I loved the “build it yourself “ activities which extend the science in the book.  Students can enjoy building “Newton’s Rocket mobile,” or a “Craft stick beam bridge.”

Who I recommend it for:   Public libraries, school libraries, students in upper elementary and lower middle school, science teachers, science clubs for youth, boy scouts and girl scouts.   Excellent!