ABC Science Riddles [Hardcover]

Barbara Saffer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grades 2-4--Playful, rhyming, 12-line riddles are arranged alphabetically by key word/answer. For example, "My name starts with letter A./I have a pleasant smell./I'm sometimes used for trinkets/that artists make and sell" and "I begin with letter E./I happen way up high,/when the moon blocks out the sun/and darkens the whole sky." The answers are, respectively, amber and eclipse. Each page includes the riddle, the number of letters in the answer, and an illustration. The boldly colored pictures add more clues. The answers are given on the last page though no further information about them is offered. The main problem with this book is that children old enough to solve the riddles may be turned off by the format. The fact that the subjects of the riddles are so unrelated also limits its usefulness. The book might offer a one-time fun activity for a third-grade science lesson but it is not one that children are likely to pore over or want to hear more than once. Ideas for parents and teachers to write their own science riddles are offered at the end.

Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Peel Productions (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939217554
• ISBN-13: 978-0939217557
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,439,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Enhanced with a page of "Ideas for Parents and Teachers", August 17, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ABC Science Riddles (Hardcover)

Barbara Saffer's ABC Science Riddles is a truly wondrous alphabet book has children figure out words that correspond to each letter of the alphabet, given clues written in rhyme, drawn in vibrant color, and shown in blank spaces for the missing letters of each word. The answers are on the last page for slow guessers! An "Ideas for Parents and Teachers" page at the end offers suggestions to help children learn language and riddles. Brightly illustrated throughout by Jennifer Johnson Haywood, ABC Science Riddles is a highly recommended, fun and educational book which is enhanced with a page of "Ideas for Parents and Teachers" making it ideal for home schoolers as well as classroom curriculum supplementation!