Energy Makes Things Happen (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) [Library Binding]

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Author), Paul Meisel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 24, 2002 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2

Did you know that energy comes from the food you eat? From the sun and wind? From fuel and heat?

You get energy every time you eat. You transfer energy to other things every time you play baseball. In this book, you can find out all the ways you and everyone on earth need energy to make things happen.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-This worthy title uses familiar examples and a clear focus to introduce basic scientific concepts. An opening scene shows children playing ball, flying kites, and cooking and eating hot dogs, with a rock on a hill in the background. Bradley explains that inherent in the scenarios are different kinds of energy. She then tells how the kite uses the wind, the rock converts stored energy into moving energy, and so on, and discusses how the greatest source of power, the sun, makes food, fossil fuels, light, heat, and wind. The author intentionally makes this a very general introduction; not even moderately difficult words such as "potential" or "kinetic" are used. A simple experiment and a game are appended. While rolling a toy car into a stationary one and observing the result can be easily done, tracing energy back to the sun will probably need adult guidance. Meisel's color illustrations of cheerful multiethnic children match the level and tone of the text perfectly, make it more comprehensible, and add to the book's appeal. While educational theorists believe that children can't grasp abstractions until at least age seven, younger readers will gain some familiarity with the concept even if they don't really understand it. Larry White's Energy: Simple Experiments for Young Scientists (Millbrook, 1995) offers a more sophisticated and detailed introduction, along with many experiments, for older readers, but Bradley's title is a good first exposure to the subject.
Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr 1-3. This entry in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series explains the concept of energy and how it is used. The organization may be confusing: children don't find out until near the end of the book that most of our energy comes from the sun. But some kids will be intrigued by the way the book builds to this information and will keep reading to find out more. The book begins with cartoon-style illustrations showing people playing and working at different activities, all of which, of course, require energy. The text, which includes information about the fueling of both objects and people, goes on to explain that energy gives both heat and light, that all activities require energy, and that energy can be transferred from one thing to another. Appealing art and easily understandable explanations make this a good basis for teaching beginning science principles. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 40 pages
• Publisher: Collins (December 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060289090
• ISBN-13: 978-0060289096
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,830,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great science book for kids about energy, January 27, 2010

By 

M. FB Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Energy Makes Things Happen (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Paperback)

I really like the "Let's Read and Find out Science 2" series. These are great science books for elementary school and they are perfect for my first grader. They use familiar examples to introduce basic scientific concepts in a simple but fun way. They are interesting for both kids and adults. I have found them to be a valuable tool to teach these concepts to my kids.

I really like this book about energy.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Science, December 16, 2009

By 

lori - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Energy Makes Things Happen (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Paperback)

As a Montessori (3 to 6) directress, I would recommend any book in the "Let's Find Out" series. Comprehensive, interesting, and entertaining for children and adults!