Learning about materials and their properties provides a wealth of opportunities for young scientists to experiment and test their hypotheses. These books are full of fascinating facts and suggestions to try out. Encompassing the scientific method, fair testing and the states of matter, there is plenty for readers to discover.
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Let’s Investigate Everyday Materials
by Ruth Owen
Review: Bright and appealing, Ruth Owen invites young readers into the fascinating world of materials. Simple definitions help children to understand scientific terms. Clear, bold photographs accompany the text effectively supporting the written content. The book begins by considering what materials are. It then looks at the properties of materials before turning its attention to common materials such as wood, metal and glass. A chapter on recycling materials makes for an interesting read. Near the end of the book, readers are invited to experiment, an invitation that many are sure to accept. Coming in at 32 pages, this short introduction sets the stage for more in-depth inquiries in the future.
Suggested Reading Age: 5 – 9 years old. In my opinion, this is best suited to the 5 to 7 or 8-year-old age range.
Experiments with Materials
by Isabel Thomas
Review: Part of the Read and Experiment series, Experiments with Materials takes readers on an interactive exploration of materials. The scientific method and how to administer a fair test are explained in a child-friendly, easy-to-understand manner. The book is mainly divided into key questions which are subsequently followed by an experiment for learners to carry out. Questions include: What are materials? What is a mixture? How can mixtures be separated? Back matter includes how to find out more about materials and a glossary. A useful safety guide for adults helping with the experiments is located at the beginning of the book. This would work equally well at home or in a school library.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 – 9 years old.
Outdoor Science: Materials
by Izzi Howell
Review: Visually appealing, Outdoor Science is a great resource to spark readers’ enthusiasm about materials. Colourful photographs and tidbits of information give readers plenty of examples and facts to think about. Interactive elements abound in the text. Prompts to “Spot It!”, encourage children to look for certain materials as they are out and about, whilst activities such as making model rafts, help them to explore the properties of materials. Simple experiments further add to the book’s appeal. Fun, informative and engaging, this 32-page book would make a useful addition to a unit of study on materials.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 to 11 years old.
Materials (Essential Physical Science)
by Louise and Richard Spilsbury
Review: Louise and Richard Spilsbury’s book is perfect for slightly older readers who want to further develop their beginning understandings of materials. Bright graphics, “did you know?” boxes and plenty of memorable facts make this highly appealing and child-friendly. The book explores how we use materials and tell them apart as well as physical and chemical changes that occur. Additional chapters consider how we make new materials as well as how we choose them. In short, this is a worthwhile addition for readers beginning to delve more deeply into this area of science.
Click here for a peak inside.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 – 11 years old.
Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World
by Mark Miodownik
Review: Mark Midownik provides older readers with a novel look at materials. Over the course of eleven chapters, Midownik explores modern materials through a variety of lenses. These range from purely scientific to anecdotal to historical, adding interest and making this a highly readable book. Stuff Matters is perfect for students to dip into as they are studying and working with different materials. Taking this approach will allow them to delve deeper into the topic without overwhelming them as a wealth of information contained within its pages.
Suggested Reading Age: Older teens and beyond.
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Please leave a recommendation for any materials books you know below .