Light - Hardcover

Grade 6 Up-- This series uses the familiar ``Eyewitness'' format to trace scientific developments and discoveries. Arrangement is roughly chronological, with douboned illustrations and photos on each spread, a wealth of information is provided, ranging from explanations of processes to historical tidbits and trivia. Descriptions of solar cells and interference colors ( Light) and the telegraphle-page treatments focusing on general areas of interest. Light covers such topics as shadows, refraction, lasers, and holograms, while Electriticy includes conduction, magnetism, communication, and more. With six to eight captiic receiver (Electricity) are brief, but clear and concise. Despite these strengths, the format limits the books' usefulness. Readers with little background will be overwhelmed by the deluge of information. Solid explanations of electricity and light are there, but it is hard to follow them systematically with all of the sidebars and related factual fragments. Photographs are of excellent quality and are effective in illustrating the concepts discussed, but many require prior knowledge to understand and appreciate them. Although they cannot match the broad appeal of McCarthy & Arnold's Reptile (1991) or the Natural History Museum staff's Rocks & Minerals (1988, both Knopf), these titles will be useful and attractive supplements to science collections. --Steven Engelfried, Alameda County Library, CA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal