Look, I'm a scientist

Boasting full-color photos, fun projects, and open-ended questions that playfully encourage critical thinking, titles in the Look series offer little ones great ideas for active learning. Although the projects in Look I'm a Scientist aren't always as clearly explained, the emphasis on experimentation instead of mere demonstration is a welcome feature. For instance, directions for a classic vinegar-and-baking-soda experiment encourage kids to try different amounts of each ingredient and note how the results change. Each book opens with a discussion of senses and how they help in perception, and inset boxes pose targeted questions about how the projects feel, sound, smell, and so on. This focus on observation will help kids transcend simply following directions and get them paying more attention to cause and effect. In addition to its classroom applications, this series' approachable projects and lively illustrated layouts make it appealing for casual readers, too.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2017 Booklist

PreS-Gr 2-This new nonfiction series from DK introduces preschool and early elementary school children to basic science and cooking activities. Both books begin with a brief guide for grown-ups, a table of contents, and a spread suggesting questions to ask and how to use one's senses when doing the activities. The projects are simple but enticing. I'm a Cook contains recipes for making guacamole, bread, hard-boiled eggs, and rainbow ice, while I'm a Scientist includes activities such as making slime, playdough, shaving-cream snow, and wind catchers. Some of the activities and recipes are followed by ways to extend the project: for example, turning homemade bread into bruschetta or making aliens with slime. The pages are colorful and appealing, with lots of accompanying photos. Unlike in many activity books for kids, the instructions extend beyond the typical two-page format, resulting in a much cleaner layout. Although most of the crafts will require some adult assistance, they are all straightforward enough for kids to play an active role. VERDICT These bright, fun activity guides would make good additions to preschool classrooms and early elementary library collections.-Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.