Air

Two titles chock-full of activities that kids can do on their own with household materials. Both are interesting to read and appealingly presented. Air introduces its properties and many uses. Detailed descriptions allow readers to make observations firsthand. Making wind and string instruments, hot-air balloons, and paper airplanes are among the projects included. Water explores the composition and versatility of the compound in its multiple forms. Illustrated experiments demonstrate such principles as the water cycle, pressure, surface tension, and chromatography. Both volumes feature informative full-color photographs and illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions. Philip Sauvain's Water (New Discovery, 1992) is a comparable presentation. -Zenata W. Pierre, Portland Public Schools-SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL