While You're Waiting for the Food to Come: A Tabletop Science Activity Book : Experiments and Tricks That Can Be Done at a Restaurant, the Dining Room Table, or Wherever Food Is Served (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Eldon Doty (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-8-A delightful book of science experiments to do in restaurants. All manner of science facts are taught in 30 simple activities, from "How many times can you fold a piece of paper in half?" to problems dealing with electrical charges, air pressure, and the principles of flight. The book is organized like a menu, with "Appetizers" that introduce basic concepts, "Main Courses" that provide more detailed endeavors, and a "Desserts" section that contains a glossary and list for further reading. Each experiment includes a list of materials ("Ingredients"), steps to follow ("Recipe"), explanation of the scientific principles involved ("Food for Thought"), and links to other events and phenomena ("More to Chew On"). An "Attention-Attraction Factor Key" indicates whether people at other tables will notice what you're up to. The black-and-white cartoons provide information and entertainment. A winner.
Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Perhaps this book should come with a warning, as children will have such a good time testing Muller's "restaurant science" activities that the ambience of some dining establishments might be disrupted. Fortunately, there's an "Attention-Attraction Factor Key" that rates the level of attention each activity is likely to draw and cautions kids to check with a parent to be sure the activity is appropriate. Cleverly organized like a menu, the "Appetizers" section features five simple activities that serve as introductions to concepts explored in the "Main Courses" section. Muller suggests going through the activities in order, but kids can choose individual "entrees" from the Main Courses section--four to seven high-interest, carefully explained experiments on topics such as gravity, the senses, density--and follow up with "Side Dishes" that expand on or vary the "entree" activities. A glossary and a bibliography constitute the "Desserts" for this appealing hands-on science book. Chris Sherman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 84 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books (NY) (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531301990
• ISBN-13: 978-0531301999
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,270,211 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for young experimenters, October 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: While You're Waiting for the Food to Come: A Tabletop Science Activity Book : Experiments and Tricks That Can Be Done at a Restaurant, the Dining Room Table, or Wherever Food Is Served (Paperback)

The book is great for young experimenters. Easy to follow instructions and clever writing get kids into the 'science is fun' mindset. The 'Food for thought' section that accompanies each activity explains the science behind the activity clearly and with the right amount of detail for the intended audience. (Tested on my 10-year-old son). Each activity concludes with a 'More to chew on' section that enables kids to relate what they've observed to other examples of the same principle. Many of the activities focusing on static electricity, air pressure and buoyancy could be used for elementary school science fair projects. There is an awesome demonstration of center of gravity. Other activities deal with sense of touch, taste and smell. There are a couple of activities exploring optics. The scientific method and related concepts are introduced. The illustrations are extremely helpful in diagramming the text. Older kids (and adults) will enjoy the reading for the subtle titles like 'Stop Making Cents' and 'A Salt and Gravity'.