Atoms

April 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-With significant oversimplification and topical overlap, these volumes introduce the kinds and states of matter. Aside from the single page on which plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates are mentioned, Different States of Matter is completely dispensable, as three other volumes in the series cover the topic in considerably more detail. Atoms leaves out any mention of ionization or explanation of molecular bonding and also offers a confusing contradiction by defining atoms as "the basic building blocks of everything," then on the next spread launches a discussion of subatomic particles. Elements, an otherwise useful tour of the Periodic Table, inexplicably concludes its visuals with a version of the table that is partly in Chinese. There are no interactive elements beyond occasional questions in the texts or photos of theoretically reproducible demonstrations.

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