I Face the Wind (Science Play) [Hardcover]

Vicki Cobb (Author), Julia Gorton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 15, 2003 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Science Play | Lexile Measure: 540L (What's this?)

Ever lose your hat in a strong wind?

Ever feel the wind pushing you from side to side?

Know why you can feel the wind, but never see it?

You will!

Renowned science author Vicki Cobb makes scientific principles easy for even the youngest kids to understand. Follow this book with a young child who loves to play. Bring along balloons. Find a windy place. Together you'll face the wind and see that learning is a breeze.

Discover science, and the world will never look the same.

Great hands-on activities and irresistible illustrations by Julia Gorton make Science Play a perfect way to learn about science . . . just for the fun of it!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-The well-known science writer explains the properties and characteristics of wind in an easy-to-read format. The writing is clear and the explanations are age-appropriate. "Air is made of a gazillion tiny balls floating in space. These balls are so small that they can't be seen. They have to be imagined." The crisp graphic artwork brings the wind to life. A young girl gets pushed by it, has her umbrella turned inside out, watches leaves shake on a tree, and engages in lots of other activities that illustrate the movement of air. The topic lends itself well to experimentation and Cobb offers youngsters several demonstrations-some with objects and some as simple as blowing out one's breath-that can be used successfully at home or in the classroom. This is a simple introduction for those kids who always want to know the "why" behind even the most mundane events.
Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-K. From the Science Play series, this colorful volume encourages children to observe, experiment, and learn about wind and air. The digital illustrations are eye-catching, and the combination of information and experimentation is engaging. However, in trying to present things that cannot be seen and are difficult to describe, such as molecules and air, the text sometimes simplifies too much: "Air is real stuff." The book's strength is the same as that of the previous books in the series, which takes into account the active learning style of young children. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688178405
• ISBN-13: 978-0688178406
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Everyone knows it's Windy February 29, 2004

By E. R. Bird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars T-Air-rifc! June 23, 2003

By Wendy Somerlot Bittel

Format:Library Binding

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and Smart November 19, 2008

By Rachel J. Morgan

Format:Hardcover

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.