Forces: Physical Science for Kids

Reviews

PBS.ORG Early Learning Books About Forces and Motion
"How do magnets work? What makes one team win tug of war? Author Andi Diehn uses everyday examples to help children explore the science topics of gravity, magnetism, friction, pushing, and pulling. Read more online. 

The 50 Best Science Books for Kids 2018
This is yet another book in the amazing new series called Physical Science for Kids. It is aimed at children from the age of four onwards, explaining to them some of the physical forces though entertaining everyday examples and simple language.

To add to the fun, there are also some great age-appropriate experiments so that children can see and feel for themselves how forces work in their life.

Finally, as in other books in the series, the text is accompanied by colorful illustrations that keep the kids’ eyes glued to the pages - well, at least until they run-off to conduct some of the experiments.  Learn more at Psyci.co

Booklist Starred Review
“Forces, despite its down-to-earth scientific grounding, manages to do the nearly impossible. Diehn brings gravity, magnetism, push-pull forces, and friction to life in everyday contexts, without a hint of schoolroom jargon. Discussion of the forces arises naturally by inquiring what happens in a variety of situations. The tone of the book is set with an opening poem, then moves to the idea of forcing something to happen or be done, and only then reaches the scientific concept of forces. The action of each force is presented simply, clearly, and naturally. Gravity holds everything together. Magnetism also holds things together. Friction makes things slow down or stop. Helpful examples involve jumping (the author warns, “Don’t jump out of trees!”), fridge magnets, tug-of-war, pushing a swing, and—several times in the book—a pet lizard. Shululu’s illustrations add to the fun, giving the book a storybook quality. Children, parents, and teachers alike can enjoy learning the charming, often funny, relatable, and accessible science within this Picture Book Science series (4 titles) offering.”

Unleashing readers.com
Young children have so many questions about the world and how everything works. Curiousity runs wild in their brains, but more than anything they just want to learn and absorb. This series is a must get for parents, classrooms, and libraries because it addresses many of the questions that kids have. Read more online.

Readleanrepeat.blog
“Andi Diehn’s Physical Science for Kids collection: Matter, Energy, Forces, and Waves, illustrated by Shululu, is a collection of four books written for kids ages 5-8. With lighthearted illustrations and kid-friendly, conversational prose, these books introduce basic physics concepts through discussion of every day observations. Each book has a focus just narrow enough to allow for the introduction of approximately 10 terms (defined in a glossary at the end of each book), several interactive questions, and a TRY THIS! section with coordinating activities in a length perfect for the targeted age group. The result is a series of interactive, high yield books that set a great foundation in physical science while simultaneously conveying that science is fun, interesting, and within reach. My kids love these books—not only are they chosen for story time frequently, but each reading results in multiple follow-up questions and a burst of renewed enthusiasm for science!”

Picture Book Buzz
“Finding interesting and interactive ways to introduce early readers to nature and science is a one of my goals. There are so many fascinating and bizarre animals, awe inspiring natural places, and amazing science that surrounds us daily. I enjoy discovering fun and informative picture books that share these wonders with younger readers.

Andi Diehn and Nomad Press have created a nonfiction, picture book series that takes the larger themes of energy, forces, matter, and waves and brings them down to examples kids can relate to.” Read the complete review online

Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Science books are always a big hit around here. During our normal read aloud time each day, it’s guaranteed that at least one of them will be science-based. Given that I am reading to two first graders, a preschooler, and an 18-month-old, our choice in science books is typically picture books.

Nomad Press has some great ones to offer. We received the Physical Science for Kids Set for review. The set includes four books: Forces, Waves, Matter, and Energy. All four softcover books are 28 pages long with a one-page glossary at the end of the book. They’re all fully illustrated and just plain fun to read and look at.

Each of the books gives sound scientific concepts in easy to read and understandable terms. They’re relatable, funny, and get the kids thinking. The books are written for children ages 5-8, but children older would enjoy them too.

Forces addresses gravity, magnetism, push/pull forces, and friction. Those might seem like big concepts, but when you read the book, even my preschooler can explain why she falls down sometimes- gravity!

“There are forces that make us stick to Earth. There are forces that make your soccer ball fly into a goal. There are forces that make your soccer ball roll to a stop before it even gets to the goal!”

See? Relatable, story-like information that really gets the kids thinking. Several times after reading Forces the kids pointed out different types of force that happened in everyday life.

The Physical Science for Kids Set has been a wonderful addition to our home library. The books are simple enough for everyone to understand yet contain enough scientific truth to be considered a science resource.  They are written in a way that makes them great read alouds, and simple enough that my 7-year-old can confidently read them.

Mom Read It
"These are a lot of fun: color artwork on every page, a fun poem to kick off each book, and my favorite part: an explanation of the scientific term, with all the uses of the term."

Wrapped in Foil
"Energy, Forces, Matter, and Waves will appeal to the young reader who loves to learn about words. Andi Diehn has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing, so her approach is to make vocabulary shine. The titles start with a lively poem to introduce the topic. Next, the author shows how words can have one or more meanings in everyday usage. Finally, she exposes readers to the more specific definitions of the terminology as it is used in the physical sciences and delves into the concepts. The creative and textured illustrations by Shululu (the pen name of artist Hui Li) add just the right amount of fun to every page."