Library Thing Part E Experiment and Activity Book
Gardner, Robert. Experiments with Bubbles. Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 1995. Print.

Purple print on white, with a photo of bubbles floating at a diagonal and falling over the top, caught my attention. Experiments with Bubbles is an old title of 15 years, but yet accessible and relevant to young students interested in finding a science project or interested in a doable experiment for class or at home. In February 2010, the Enslow Publishers’ newsletter announced that Robert Gardner was the recipient of the Science Books and Films 2010 prize for Excellence In Science Books, a Lifetime Achievement Award: Hands-On Science Writing and would be honored at the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual meeting in San Diego. Mr. Gardner has written over 100 science books for Enslow Publishers and is currently finishing the Green Science Projects series to be published by Enslow in 2011. Experiments with Bubbles is also reviewed and offered as a strong resource on page 49 of Resources for Teaching Middle School Science by the National Academies Press, 1998; even though the above text is 12 years old, it is still listed in the current resource list under “Changing the Course of Science Education” from the National Science Resources Center.

One of the first criteria for evaluating nonfiction would be accuracy and authenticity, especially if the book in review has to do with science. I believe this Experiments with Bubbles definitely holds its accuracy and its authority in 2010. It is one of a four book series Getting Started in Science “…that can serve as the basis for many experiments-experiments that involve light, color, chemistry, force, air pressure, electricity, buoyancy, floating, density, …”(Gardner 4). The table of Contents has 6 sections with experiments dedicated to that section or concept. Each section or chapter introduces the experiment but in a nonchalant manner. Mr. Gardner’s narrative style presents observations and poses questions and leaves the reader with some future prospects to consider. Gardner’s parting sentence is full of suspense as he transitions into the following page which is the experiment. Some of the provocative questions are answered by doing the next experiment and some will be answered at the back of the book. A very engaging text, with illustrations and diagrams provided when needed to clarify the experiment.

The title provides a Further Reading page (somewhat outdated) and a complete index at the end of the book. I would definitely have a copy of this title in the school library but I would also have current web sites from NSRC available. Mr. Gardner’s unique writing ability engages the reader and guides the reader to ask questions, notice results, and to connect several of the experiments results together and thus understanding various science principles that lead to answering all the puzzler boxes and integrating the surprise moments.

Intended audience is grades 5th to 8th and curriculum connection is science and language arts. ( )