Shadow Play: Making Pictures with Light and Lenses (Boston Children's Museum Activity Book) [Paperback]

Bernie Zubrowski (Author), Roy Doty (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Boston Children's Museum Activity Book

Who thought shadows could be such fun? They are-with Shadow Play.

This lively science activity book shows you how to turn a cardboard box, a light bulb, and some Plexiglas into a shadow box, and then use the box to create fascinating shadows with everything from pieces of cardboard and wire to three-dimensional objects to clear glass bottles. Once you add a magnifying glass and make a few simple alterations, your shadow box becomes a box camera. By changing light sources and switching lenses, you'll be able to produce all kinds of special picture images. Over fifty imaginative experiments help you explore some of the basic properties of light-and discover how studying shadows led to the invention of the camera.

Shadow Play is the perfect book for learning more about the world, or just having a great time. With it, you'll never look at a shadow in the same way again!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-With Zubrowski's latest book, children can learn about the basic properties of light and how the study of shadows led to the invention of the camera. The more than 50 experiments are grouped into three general sections: the first shows how shadows are made in natural and artificial light; the second describes how a shadow box is constructed and used in further activities; and the third tells how a box camera is made. The lists of materials needed include suggestions on where to purchase items that are not readily available. The directions, diagrams, and guided interpretations of "What's Happening" are easy to follow. The "Further Explorations" section that follows each experiment suggests related open-ended investigations. Safety notes are highlighted with an icon (a finger with a string tied around it). Shadow Play offers a wealth of interesting, creative projects. Although it would be possible for readers to work through them on their own, adult help will probably be needed, not only to set up and guide the procedures, but also to sustain interest and aid in interpreting results.
Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Like the other volumes in Zubrowski's Boston Children's Museum Activity Book series, this appealing science book offers activities designed to help children learn through playing around with the subject at hand. Beginning with observations of the shadows cast on a sidewalk by people holding cardboard tubes and geometric figures, the projects become more complex with the use of a projector and mirrors; the making of a shadow box for viewing of shadows cast by three-dimensional objects; wire figures and transparent materials; and experimentation with a box camera built from a refrigerator carton. The clearly written text and practical directions make the activities sound nonintimidating, and Doty's cartoonlike diagrams and illustrations make them look like fun. A good resource for students and for teachers seeking ways to engage children in the exploration of light and shadows. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688132111
• ISBN-13: 978-0688132118
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,081,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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