Plastic

by Claire Llewellyn

Soft, warm, heavy, slimy...which of these words describe metal or plastic, rubber or wood? This series covers them all -- with big colorful photographs, Fascinating Facts, and easy Try This experiments that introduce simple science concepts in a fun and engaging way, and show how each material is produced, transformed for everyday use, and impacts the environment. That paper plate in the lunchroom will never seem the same again once readers really get to know their Material World!

24 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Claire Llewellyn is a prize-winning author of non-fiction for young readers – in 1991, she was shortlisted for the prestigious TES Junior Information Book Award for Take One: Rubbish – and in 1992, she won that award for My First Book of Time. Since then, Claire has written more than 100 children’s books on a wide range of subjects. Ask Dr K Fisher About Animals was shortlisted for the 2008 Royal Society prizes for Science Books Junior Prize.

Reviews

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Troubling. Even in 2002, it was like.... plastic never biodegrades, but it's so durable and lightweight and flexible and cheap! Yay! So, just don't use single-use plastics for your lunch every day and we good. If only! But actually, I do appreciate how this book lays out some facts and opinions both for and against plastic so kids have a chance to make up their own minds. It doesn't leave you thinking, "OMG we are drowning in this stuff and nothing is being done!" OR "Why do we even use plastic if we know it's so terrible for our planet?" which I guess is, in some ways helpful. I guess I forgot why plastic is good at all.