Science fun with a homemade chemistry set

K-Gr 3 A nice introduction to chemistry for young readers. Wyler describes many all-time favorite experiments: the chang ing colors of red cabbage juice, producing bubbles with vinegar and baking soda, and growing sugar crystals. In addition, Wyler has developed some new experiments us ing chewing gum and nail polish. True to the title, all of the necessary chemicals are readily available. Children are urged to work with adults, especially when heating or handling dangerous chemicals such as powdered bleach. The experiments are thoughtfully grouped into topics: plastics, solubility, chemical tests, gases, and bub bles. Most experiments include a simple explanation, but the discussion of solubili ty and temperature is over-simplified and incorrect. Helpful two-color drawings il lustrate each experiment and discussion, although two errorscarbon, not char coal is the element shown in one experi ment, and a helium-filled balloon doesn't belong with the discussion of air mole cules in anotherdetract from their accu racy. Overall, the book has enough gee- whiz experiments to keep young scientists quite busy. Alan Newman, Johns Hop kins University, Baltimore (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.