Living Things

E. Jane Philipps is head of the Biology Library at Queen’s University
in Kingston.

This bright, sturdy, and attractively designed volume in the Starting
with Science series aims to teach children about “the characteristics
and basic needs of living things.”

The 13 hands-on activities are clearly described and employ
easy-to-find materials, both animate (earthworms, sow bugs, and house
plants) and inanimate (pop bottles, kitchen utensils, and paper clips,
to name a few).

Lively and humor-filled color photographs depict the experiments in
process. With one or two exceptions, the experiments require minimal
supervision, although adult assistance in interpreting the results would
be beneficial, particularly for younger children. A page of ideas for
additional, related activities, a brief glossary, and an index extend
the value of the book.

Living Things offers children and adults hours of thought-provoking
entertainment. Recommended.