Young students often first encounter physics at school and home when exploring simple machines, learning incidentally through their hands-on explorations. The books highlighted below provide a general introduction to the field of physics. Suitable for children, teenagers and interested adults there is plenty to learn here. If you have ever wondered what astrophysics and quantum physics are, look no further!
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What’s Physics All About?
by Kate Davies (Author), Adam Larkum (Illustrator)
Review: This appealingly presented Usborne book is a perfect introduction to physics. Charming illustrations and clear easy-to-understand language, open up this fascinating field of science to children of all ages. Divided into 6 parts, readers learn about the Big Bang Theory, force, energy and electricity, for example. Frequently asked questions such as “How can electricity flow?” are answered, and compelling questions such as “Why is energy like a superhero?” draw the reader in. A helpful glossary, along with the possibility to access Usborne Quick Links on the internet, helps to reinforce new learning and enables learners to further explore areas of interest.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 – 10 years old.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: I Wonder Why?: Ask students to record key questions they wish to explore about physics. They can then explore these individually or in pairs using the Quick Link provided along with other child-friendly search engines such as Kiddle.
Physics: Why Physics Matter
by Dan Green
Review: With the help of this book, readers will quickly pick up physics’ key concepts. Written in a chatty, friendly style, Why Physics Matter makes an enjoyable yet highly informative read. The fun, colourful cartoon-style characters, including acceleration and inertia, add to the book’s appeal. Likewise chapter titles such as “Wave Gang” and “Nuclear Heavies” invite people in. Additionally, highlighted facts at the bottom of the page are a treat for those readers who love to learn factoids and share them with everyone! This book would make an appealing addition to any science library.
Suggested Age Range: 10 – 15 years old. I believe this book would appeal most to 10 – 13-year-olds.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Fascinating Facts: Ask students to research their own physics facts based on their studies. Share these with each other, families and friends.
My First Book of Quantum Physics
by Kaid-Sala Ferrón Sheddad (Author), Eduard Altarriba (Illustrator)
Review: This vibrant book helps remove the mystery of quantum physics for young (and older!) readers. Its 48 pages are packed full of information presented in a visually appealing way. Full of highly coloured illustrations, bite-size information and easy-to-follow diagrams, this book makes quantum physics accessible to all. Learners will enjoy discovering a whole new world as they find out about “Planck’s Quanta”, “The Mystery of Antimatter” and “Quantum Entanglement”. Truly enlightening, this is a must-read introduction to quantum physics.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 – 12 years old. I feel that older readers would also benefit from and enjoy this book.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Make It Colourful: Ask students to present new learning about quantum physics in a visual way. Encourage them to use colour, diagrams and infographics, for example, to share their learning in an easily accessible style.
The Cartoon Guide to Physics
by Larry Gonick and Art Huffman
Review: Physics textbooks for older learners new to the discipline can be rather dry and uninviting. The Cartoon Guide to Physics is no such book. Engaging cartoons introduce and explain concepts, effectively capturing older readers’ attention. Divided into two parts, “Mechanics” and “ Electricity and Magnetism”, readers explore satellite motion and weightlessness, as well as Maxwell’s equations and light, for example. Highly visual, this book is ideal for those looking for a less intimidating introduction to the subject.
Suggested Reading Age: Older teens and adults.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Delve Deeper: Identify an area of physics discussed in the book and delve deeper. Ask students to present their new learning in a comic book style.
Super Simple Physics
by DK
Review: This DK study guide is a perfect revision tool for learners. Weighing in at a hefty 288 pages, it provides a comprehensive overview of physics. The guide begins by exploring how people work scientifically. This includes reviewing the scientific process, identifying patterns in data and looking at the importance of accuracy and precision. Ensuing sections focus on energy, describing motion, force and motion, waves, light, electrical circuits and space. One topic is described per page, with key facts highlighted in a separate box. A generous amount of diagrams, illustrations and photographs support and extendthe text. This is a perfect book to dip into when learning or revising physics.
Suggested Reading Age: Teenagers to adults.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: One Page Wonder: Ask students to represent their learning about a physics concept on one page only. This can be on paper or digitally, enabling students to add hyperlinks, etc.
Happy Reading!
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Do YOU know of any other physics books to add to this list? Please leave a recommendation below to help further support our community.