Reviews of popular science books for children http://www.popularscience.co.uk 2000-2009 Creativity Unleashed Limited Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:45:00 GMT Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:45:00 GMT Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:45:00 GMT A young reader's introduction to the important topic of climate change and environmental science. Gets four stars because it is important, but comes across as rather dull with occasionally trite solutions. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev114.htm Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:55:00 GMT A very good value combo of one of the best of the Horrible Science series, with an excellent introduction to energy, temperature and thermodynamics and a fair go at electricity. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev113.htm Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:25:00 GMT Good value two-books-in one combo. Could be a bit better on topics, but overall effective on both light and sound. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev112.htm Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:55:00 GMT Very readable book on the science of the body with plenty of fun facts, and a better exploration of themes than many of the competitors. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev111.htm Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:35:00 GMT Six fun 48 piece jigsaws with a bit of science content - entertaining, though science content is lower than most Horrible Science titles. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev110.htm Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:15:00 GMT Collections of animals with different colours, briefly described - pictures are good, but doesn't tell us enough of the whys and wherefores of the colours. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev109.htm Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:55:00 GMT Interesting idea of explaining a cold virus through the adventures of Rhina O'Virus, but the use of metaphor is so strong it's difficult to spot the science. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev108.htm Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT Remarkable range of uses for tongues and great photos in this well illustrated tour of the animal kingdom's mouthy appendages. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev107.htm Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:30:00 GMT Quite interesting to discover the range of animal cleaning techniques, but doesn't set the world on fire. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev106.htm Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:20:00 GMT Manages to provide a surprising range of activities that occur around insect bottoms - not exactly science curriculum stuff, but appreciated by younger readers. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev105.htm Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 GMT Book on the body that's so much more than just another illustrated anatomy book - great articles on everything from history of medicine to how the body moves. Recommended. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev104.htm Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:55:00 GMT Much better than the title suggests - a great, highly illustrated guide to how the brain works and how to make the most of your brain, with lots of fun activities. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev103.htm Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:20:00 GMT Lively and heavily illustrated trivia reference, with lots of material, but hasn't got enough science and is quite difficult to look things up in. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev102.htm Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 GMT Well-illustrated picture book in rhyme that takes us into the mystery of DNA and how it can instruct cells to make up the different parts of us and everything alive. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev101.htm Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:00 GMT Well-written picture book on the aspects of the Earth that support life - air, water, gravity, magnetic field etc. Illustrations not quite as good as the text, but fine. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev100.htm Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:00 GMT Well-illustrated children's picture book that makes a brave attempt at putting across atomic structure and chemical bonding to young readers. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev99.htm Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:35:00 GMT Seven short stories putting across different aspects of science for young readers. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev98.htm Thur, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT The king of British maths TV brings his magic touch to measurements and the use of maths in them, from ancient times to the present day. Fun and effective heavily illustrated book. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev97.htm Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:10:00 GMT Interesting idea of basing a children's book around things that scare us, but doesn't get the age targeting right and doesn't always work. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev96.htm Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:40:00 GMT Review - A game in which the player has to use their knowledge of how things move under gravity to set up a sequence of events around a screen to collect keys and rescue creatures. Good fun, though would be better with a hint option. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/software/rev23.htm Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:13:00 GMT A science fiction adventure with plenty of drama, but designed to put across ideas about science and the scientific method. Occasionally a touch obvious, but generally works well. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev95.htm Wed, 25 Jun 2009 15:25:00 GMT Goes beyond the obvious science-of-the-body to use the body as a springboard for investingating different areas of science in good DK fashion. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev94.htm Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:25:00 GMT Nice mix of cartoon strip and text in a story that uncovers the realities of climate change, and what readers can do to help fight it. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev93.htm Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:49:00 GMT Big, colourful, learn science through practical experiments in the home book from the Science Museum's comedy team. Also a DVD of things not to do at home. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev92.htm Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:10:00 GMT Good entry in a series for reluctant and struggling readers. Really thought provoking and some good, striking design. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev91.htm Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:10:00 GMT Tiny format and dramatic Japanese-style illustrations make this an original looking book on biology - but the heavy handed attempt to sound cool won't appeal to everyone. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev90.htm Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT Young readers' (5 to 7) dinosaur fun with four board page spreads and 11 magnets - but could be a bit more for the money. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev89.htm Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:50:00 GMT Not as strong a popular science source as the more conventional Horrible Science books, but good fun and would make an excellent present that might lead a young reader into this excellent series. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev88.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:40:00 GMT Imaginative and fun take on a book exploring the working of the human body, though the Frankenstein part is rather underplayed. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev87.htm Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:50:00 GMT Measuring,units, shapes, time measurement and angles all come under the Murderous Maths microscope. With more practical exercises than usual, a great addition to the series. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev86.htm Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:45:00 GMT The DIY version of Bulging Brains. Benefits from a plastic cover and full colour, but is a bit of a let down, because the experiments tend to be optical illusions and the like. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev85.htm Wed, 2 Jul 2008 07:45:00 GMT More answers to children's science questions - the dialogue format is a little forced, but plenty of good entertaining stuff in here. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev81.htm Tue, 3 Jun 2008 14:45:00 GMT Using cars to illustrate science, mostly around the physics of motion and energy, this is an enjoyable approach, hosted by Top Gear presenter Hammond. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev83.htm Fri, 30 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT Sixty-five more fun science experiments to do in the home. As with the companion volume, an excellent gift for parents who like to do things with their children, or older kids. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev82.htm Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:45:00 GMT Tiny format and dramatic Japanese-style illustrations make this an original looking book on physics - but the heavy handed attempt to sound cool won't appeal to everyone. *** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev80.htm Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:45:00 GMT The master of popular science for kids casts his eye over the world of inventions, both barmy and practical. Not much science, but good fun. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev79.htm Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:55:00 GMT Very practical introduction to codes and ciphers with the usual Murderous Maths fun elements and a good mix of history and how-to. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev78.htm Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:55:00 GMT Chronological trip through scientific breakthroughs, beginnings and blunders providing quick tasters. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev77.htm Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:00:00 GMT A short interview with the author of the Horrible Science books. http://www.popularscience.co.uk/features/feat33.htm Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT Great fun with six 48-piece jigsaws, lots of info on dinosaurs and the rare opportunity for a science book that will work with a younger than usual reader. ***** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev76.htm Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT Physics, biology and cosmology in a set of DIY experiments. Tend to be a little indirect, so lack impact, but plenty of science. Fun. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev75.htm Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT A collection of experiments using food and drink with a handy plastic cover - bound to cause a little science to be learned and a lot of mess to be created. Fun. **** http://www.popularscience.co.uk/kreviews/rev74.htm