Whirlers and Twirlers: Science Fun With Spinning

Gr 4-6-Cobb explores the nature of motion and force beginning with the observation that people are not really designed for spinning. This is followed by several examples of circular motion. Observations made about spinning, friction, and the gyroscope effect build on one another. Examples and experiments include whirlers, propellers, and yo-yos. The cartoon illustrations of the narrator (a female with big eyes and a large mouth) and her scientific assistant (a stubby, lavender-blue droid named Igor) are clever, but do not always clarify concepts, and they look as though they are intended for a much younger audience. Children who may be attracted by the cartoons, large type, and boxed comments are unlikely to understand the text. Lack of indexing and a table of contents further limits usefulness.

Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 3-5. This hands-on guide from the author and illustrator of Bangs and Twangs (2000) and Squirts and Spurts (2000) explores the science of spinning objects. Assisted by her comical alien sidekick, Igo, the knowledgeable narrator, grinning widely, introduces concepts and suggests related experiments. In addition to encouraging kids to try the activities, which are laid out with step-by-step directions when necessary, the text offers simple explanations using examples such as tops, yo-yos, pinwheels, and gyroscopes. The occasional broad humor in the cartoon-style illustrations and the breezy informality of the text take the fear out of physics for young readers. Carolyn Phelan
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