It's a Gas!

Ian Wylie Toal is a freelance science writer living in Martindale,
Ontario.

This demonstration/information book aimed at children 7 and up is
designed to answer questions about gasses—what they are, how they
behave, where they are found. The book contains experiments children can
do to demonstrate the behavior of gasses, experiments ranging from the
abstract (bouncing bubbles off a layer of carbon dioxide) to the
strictly practical (baking bread). The procedures are clearly described,
and the experiments are accompanied by explanations of what has been
seen, as well as by additional sidebar information.

The book, which includes a glossary and an index, is attractively laid
out and enhanced by color illustrations. Unfortunately, the experiments
do not seem to be particularly exciting. The results are not dramatic;
there’s not enough exploding, changing color, or transmutation. In
short, they don’t seem to be the kind that will hold a child’s
attention.

It’s a Gas! will probably be most useful as curriculum-support
material about gasses. Recommended with reservations.