Non-fiction for kids …

Why Is Milk White? & 200 Other Curious Chemistry Questions

By Alexa Coelho and Simon Quellen Field
Chicago Review Press. $14.95 (Ages: 9 and up)

This clever book is the product of a collaboration between an eleven-year-old Los Gatos girl and her neighbor. Alexa came up with the chemistry questions and Simon agreed to answer them. The book they created together not only provides straightforward, easy-to-understand answers to questions such as “How does hair gel work?” and “How do we get electricity?” but it also includes some unique experiments to try at home.

The questions are arranged in chapters with headings like “People and Animals”, “Plants”, “Household Chemistry”, “Health and Safety”, “Things That Catch Fire or Go Bang”, “Thinks That Stink”, “Food”, and “Color”.

Two additional sections, “Chemistry in the World” and “Chemists,” delve into more of the nitty-gritty world of the scientific discipline of chemistry. It is here that questions like “What does math have to do with chemistry?” “Why do chemicals foam up?” and “What are chemical bonds?” are addressed.

This is an excellent book that teachers and parents who are home schooling their children will want to check into. This is an excellent and entertaining way to generate interest in chemistry and embark upon a detailed study of the subject.

Pretty Costumes: Beautiful Costumes to Color

Illustrated by Hannah Davies and Nellie Ryan
Little Simon. $7.99 (Ages: 4-7)

Here’s an interesting variation of the traditional coloring book. Constructed on sturdy paper, each illustration is partially colored but it is up to the child to finish the job using colored pencils or markers. The theme of the book is cultural styles of dress and all the young girls pictured here are wearing clothing you’d expect them to wear in their native lands.

In addition to these costumes you’ll find patterned aboriginal art from Australia, dragon pattern fabric from China, patterned Grecian urns, a henna pattern from India, a Celtic knot pattern, and patterned glass beads from Italy that all need to be colored.

Given the detail of the art, you’ll want to use coloring instruments with fine points and manual dexterity is a must because of some of the intricate patterns.

The scope and eclectic variety of the selections makes this not only a coloring book that will keep the child busy for hours but it also provides a tour of the world.

The pages can also be carefully removed from the book for display or even be framed if one so desires. Although aimed at a younger audience, older budding artists and even adults will find this a relaxing and pleasurable way to wile away a few hours.

The Art of Stone Skipping and Other Fun Old-Time Games

By J.J. Ferrer
Imagine! Publishing/Charlesbridge. $9.99 (Ages: 10 and up)

In an age when so many children turn to electronic gadgets to amuse themselves, this book provides a breath of fresh air. You’ll find a varied collection of games children have played for decades, if not centuries, in this book.

Each entry contains an explanation of how the game is to be played, its purpose, the number of players needed, the necessary equipment, and “tips” or “variations” on how to make the game easier to play or more challenging.

The author divides the games into seven sections. There are games played with a ball, car games, card games, games one can play alone, brain games and games that require either a partner or a group.

While some of these games like “Duck, Duck, Goose”, “Twenty Questions” or “Red Light, Green Light” may be familiar to adults, unfortunately many youngsters today have never heard of them.

If you believe it is time to set aside the handheld gizmos and resort to some type of activity that engages more than just the child’s thumbs or fingers, then this is a book you’ll want to purchase.

Not only will you discover scores of games that will build skills like hand-eye coordination, problem solving and encourage being a good team player but they will also be lots of fun and won’t require a major expenditure of money.

Turn off the computer, shut down the Play Station and Xbox and open this book for new ways of engaging your child. You won’t be disappointed!

New York City History for Kids: From New Amsterdam to the Big Apple with 21 Activities

By Richard Panchyk
Chicago Review Press. $16.95 (Ages 9 and up)

New York City has a rich, illustrious and long history, which is chronicled in one way, or another in this guide designed for young readers. From a small, 17th century fur trading post on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, through the days of the Dutch colonists and the tumultuous times of the American Revolution to the appearance of an iconic skyline, blackouts in the 1970s and the tragedy of 9-11, 400 years of history unfold on the pages of this volume.

Well illustrated with concise, short chapters that discuss some aspect of the city’s past, the narrative is enhanced by interactive elements that engage the young reader. The suggested projects range from painting a Dutch fireplace tile and making a replica of Fort Amsterdam to playing a game of stickball, staging a Broadway show or making a batch of genuine New York Bagels.

Not only is this an ideal book for someone who lives in the city or on the East Coast where a visit to New York is possible, but it is also a good way to expose the young reader to some of the important events that affected the entire country and not just one city. For example, there’s information here on colonial history, immigration, the Industrial Revolution and early American politics.

Use the extensive time line at the front of the book to create additional study projects where the young person can research other important events, people and iconic structures (Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Old Penn Station, etc.).

It’s Our Garden: From Seeds to Harvest in a School Garden

By George Ancona
Candlewick Press. $16.99 (Ages: 5-8)

Follow a group of students in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as they select and plant seeds, care for their classroom garden, and enjoy the bounty of the harvest.

A combination of celebrating the joy seeing adults and children collaborating on such an outdoor project and explaining how to make such a class garden a reality, this book is illustrated with photos taken of the students and their garden.

Along the way, you’ll discover how to compost, create special art activities related to the garden, and how to prepare some of the veggies that come from the garden into delicious dishes.

With a decidedly southwestern feel, “It’s Our Garden” is an evocative book that will encourage both young and old folks alike to come together to share the joys of gardening.