The Science of Light and Color (Living Science)

Grade 3-5-These books provide some very simple information in an attractive format. Each double-page spread is devoted to one aspect of the subject. A bold heading is followed by two or three paragraphs of text, and either a related puzzler or an activity. Colorful photos or illustrations fill the remainder of the space. Sound covers such topics as musical instruments, nature's sounds, sounds that people cannot hear, echos, sonar, and sound careers. Miller-Schroeder's book briefly addresses topics like the colors of light, light and shadow, rainbows and prisms, colors of paints and dyes, seeing light and color, color blindness, plants and light, and camouflage. Only the most basic information is included. For example, in the section headed "Colors of Paints and Dyes," the text consists of two paragraphs that define pigments and explain how they are reflected. A puzzler asks "Think of an orange fruit. What colors of light reflect from its surface?" Pictures include a color wheel, a snowman with a caption about white objects, and a field of flowers. These volumes may be helpful introductions for children who are beginning to explore the subjects, but have limited application for students searching for materials for reports.
Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Estero, FL
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