Customer Reviews

I Face the Wind (Vicki Cobb Science Play)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alas poor science books. Forever to be doomed to the non-fiction section of the library where, occasionally, a student will pull one out to help with their school's science project. I've always found children's scientific picture books to be especially depressing little creations. More often than not they're drawn or illustrated in such a way that their messages go out of date, even as their science remains correct. Fortunately for us all, I don't think this will be the fate of "I Face the Wind". True, it's trendy. But it is also such a nice little compilation of facts and experiments that I hope it doesn't disappear too quickly in the unused library shelves for all time.

The book begins with a "Note to the Reader". That reader, as it happens, is actually the adult who will be reading this book with their child. The note implores "readers" to allow their children to first read about the experiments and then find their own results before moving on in the book. This might get a little tedious if the experiments were vast complicated affairs. Fortunately, author Vicki Cobb has limited experiment materials to those objects people already have around their house(tape, wire hangers, etc.). No experiment is dangerous and none of them require adult supervision in any way.

The book is sort of an Intro. to Science for younger children. Kids will enjoy the bright colorful illustrations. Each scene takes place across a pure white background, occasionally dotted by a window or a tree. The pictures will certainly date in 5 to 10 years down the road, but if you want something that will make your kids interested in science NOW, then this is the book for you. And hey, it won the Robert F. Sibert Honor in 2004! If you're brave enough to take a chance introducing your kids to a little well wrought non-fiction, this here's a good starter book for them to consider.

This book is a great introduction to the concept that air is a real thing even though it can't be seen. It has easy experiments that anyone could do at home. The illustrations give life to the experiments and the information. The story does an excellent job of introducing the idea of air as a real thing even though kids can't see it. It touches on the science of molecules. I would recommend this book for preschool clear through elementary. It would be a great starting off point for discussing gases and I would consider it a very early flirtation with chemistry.

This is the first review I've written. As an elementary teacher and mom, I read a lot of children's books. Strong nonfiction for preschoolers seems to be pretty rare. "I Face the Wind" has simple yet thoughtful text and smart experiments that can be done while reading (great for short attention spans). For a topic that can be abstract for young readers, Cobb does an outstanding job in aiding comprehension and inspiring conversation and experimentation. We own this book and have recommended to many friends.

I bought this for my daughter and think it is great. My son loves it too. I really like that it has alot of fun things to try to learn about the wind. Great book for 5-8 year olds!

This informational book is a cute way to teach a small science lesson to a young reader. The book turns science into a fun subject. Kids will love the colorful pictures and be excited to do their own experiments. I would use this book in a lesson in my classroom. This book is also a winner of the Sibert Award!

This was a fantastic find. It has colorful illustrations, clearly explained concepts and instructions for experiments. We used it in a weather/wind study and they loved it. Three years later they still talk about the things they learned and experiments they did.

We'll definitely use this again and seek out additional books by this author.

*taken from my review at goodreads