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How to Make a Universe with 92 Ingredients: An Electrifying Guide to the Elements
What do cars, stars, skyscrapers, and ice cream all have in common? They're all made from the same 92 ingredients...and so are we. And so is everything in the entire universe! How to Make a Universe with 92 Ingredients presents a unique and imaginative way for young readers to connect chemistry and science with their daily lives. By using dozens of familiar objects (trees, cell phones, the Sun), author Adrian Dingle has built a platform from which to teach kids the unfamiliar — that trees, cell phones, and the Sun are all made of a handful of chemical elements found on the periodic table. Full of easy experiments and "Did You Know?" information that's perfect for sharing with friends, How to Make a Universe with 92 Ingredients takes on the impossible and triumphs — it makes chemistry FUN!
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 7, 2013
This is an incredibly fun and informative way to teach kids (and adults) about chemistry. It includes narrative, lots of vivid illustrations, and experiments to demonstrate how all things are made from just 92 chemical elements.
Each two-page spread has a clever title, like “I’m Gonna Make You A Star” and “Dish the Dirt on Soap.” On the latter page, you learn what soap is made of, what scum means (a way to talk about hard water), and how to make elephant toothpaste!
You’ll also find out about why the fizz in soda is worse for your teeth than sugar, how fireworks are made in different colors, how tall buildings stand up, and why salt helps make ice cream. (And yes, one of the learning experiments is a recipe for ice cream!)
At the end of the book, there is a glossary (“Cool Words”) and a list of resources, including websites, for further study. It also includes an awesome periodic table poster on the inside of the book jacket.
Evaluation: I can’t recommend this one highly enough. It’s guaranteed to keep children entertained and fascinated. I should add that I happen to have some children in my life who covet this book, but I love it too much to give it up. I do, however, share the experiments with them. Guess I’ll have to buy them their own for Christmas....
Each two-page spread has a clever title, like “I’m Gonna Make You A Star” and “Dish the Dirt on Soap.” On the latter page, you learn what soap is made of, what scum means (a way to talk about hard water), and how to make elephant toothpaste!
You’ll also find out about why the fizz in soda is worse for your teeth than sugar, how fireworks are made in different colors, how tall buildings stand up, and why salt helps make ice cream. (And yes, one of the learning experiments is a recipe for ice cream!)
At the end of the book, there is a glossary (“Cool Words”) and a list of resources, including websites, for further study. It also includes an awesome periodic table poster on the inside of the book jacket.
Evaluation: I can’t recommend this one highly enough. It’s guaranteed to keep children entertained and fascinated. I should add that I happen to have some children in my life who covet this book, but I love it too much to give it up. I do, however, share the experiments with them. Guess I’ll have to buy them their own for Christmas....
August 15, 2017
Amazing book for children that examines the elements of the periodic table and how they fit together to create our universe.
July 7, 2024
How to Make a Universe with 92 Ingredients may be aimed at children, but it's equally engaging for adults. This book offers a fascinating and accessible exploration of the elements that make up our universe, filled with useful and fun facts.
The playful yet informative approach makes complex concepts easy to grasp, and the vibrant illustrations is pretty engaging.
The playful yet informative approach makes complex concepts easy to grasp, and the vibrant illustrations is pretty engaging.
January 30, 2014
I'm not into science at all, but this is a great book to have on hand as a reference or for gifting to a child who loves science. Read it to find ideas for this summer's reading program...wish there were a few more experiments included.
October 29, 2013
Great for STEM and SRC 2014
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews