Gift Ideas

Geomag Panels – Review

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GoScienceGirls' Review of Geomag Panels

GoScienceGirls' Review of Geomag Panels
In this review article, I would like to share my personal opinion about the Geomag panels. I have two daughters aged 7 and 4 respectively. I used to spend a lot of time playing with them but in an educative manner. I make sure to gift them toys that not only make them feel happy but give them some knowledge as well. That is how I came across these Geomag panels. In one word I can say that this toy is the best replacement for LEGO blocks. Let us understand in detail about Geomag Panels and feel glad that you identified the best gift for your kid aged 5 and above. I assure that this toy can be played by anyone and there is no upper age limit. Playing with toy enhances the fine motor skills and improves hand eye coordination. Only because of some small parts we suggest kids under age 5 should not use this.

Get your Geomag Panels here.

Brief Intro About Geomag

Switzerland based Geomag company is keen on producing magnetic toys to kids. This will allow the models constructed to get fixed easily with the help of the magnetic attraction. They are a pioneer in manufacturing magnetic toys for more than a decade.

 

About Geomag panel

 

This is a toy that contains panels made in plastic, steel non-magnetic balls, and magnetic rods. Previously there were many rods colorful, shining with metal balls but few panels produced by Geomag. The purpose of this product is to allow kids to make solid shapes with the help of the panel

 

This comes in a set of 32, 50, 68, 83, 114 and 92 pieces including magnetic rods, steel balls, and panels. I will be giving you details about the 68 piece set which I bought to play for my elder kid. Let me also tell you how it turned to be a useful gift for my younger one as well.

This 68 pieces set consist of 24 rods and these are not colored but silver rods. Both the ends of these rods are magnetic representing north and south pole. The 20 steel balls are nonmagnetic. Remaining 24 pieces are the panels which are made up of plastic material and they come in different geometric shapes. These are in different colors and to be precise there are 5 triangles red in color, 12 green triangles, 10 baby blue square panels and 2 blue panels which are larger in size.

 

What can be done with this product and how kids can use it?

 

  1. With the help of the panels, kids can learn colors, shapes and fundamental geometry. My toddler can identify shapes and color. Yes, there is spherical balls, cylindrical rods, square, triangle, pentagonal panels. Red, blue and green colored panels. You can buy more sets to get a mixture of colors and shapes.

geomag panels construction of 3d structures pyramids

Image Credit: Aldo Cavini Benedetti

  1. Grown kids above age 5 can use this toy to construct simple structures and thereby understand geometry dimensions like height, length, diameters, etc.
  1. Elder kids can construct 3D models and panels giving them a solid shape. Rods and steel balls help them stay fixed. The creativity and logical thinking ability of kids develop and they can master the art of constructing different models. This way it is better than the LEGO block.
  1. Older kids can be taught magnetism, gravity, and geometry. Yes, when they try to fix two rods few may repel and others may attract. SO there they understand the invisible force called magnetism. The polarities north and south can be understood. They will know that opposite poles attract each other and like poles repel.

Then now coming to gravity it is the force from the earth that pulls things downwards. This can be learned by constructing a maze game and move steel balls on the plate by keeping the rods below.

They can construct architectural buildings like bridges with the help of the panel and rod thus has a greater scope to become engineers and architects.

geomag panels construction of architectural shapes bridgesImage Credit : Karl Horton

  1. With all these activities, kids can develop spatial thinking skill and learn to make different shapes. For instance, they will know the number of sides of a square, triangle, and pentagon. They can relate pentagon and triangle in one way and square and pentagon in another way. So they will become experts in fixing shapes.

 

Best Features of Geomag panels

 

  • As mentioned in the uses section Geomag panels can be used to learn concepts and play as well. Kids are fond of playing and we adults want to teach them concepts. Using this toy both the purpose gets resolved.
  • Many numbers of rods, panels, and balls open an avenue to construct different models at the same time it can engage more kids.
  • It is not necessary that one full pack is used by a single kid at one time and the concept of sharing is taught to kids.
  • They become responsible when they deal with many parts and develop the habit of counting and collecting them to keep them in one box
  • They can identify different metals and nonmetals with the help of the magnetic rods.
  • Kids can understand STEM concepts using this toy that include Science, technology, engineering, and Math.

 

Things to be improved

 

  • Having spoken about the benefits and the best uses, let me also tell you the tough time I faced with the toy. The plastics are not sturdy, but they form the base for fixing the rods. Therefore the plastics break easily which must be considered by Geomag and provide a better quality plastic.
  • However, their magnets are extremely strong that sometimes they disturb getting fixed to the not required part of the construction and makes kid lose interest in the game.
  • The packing can have some boxes for the steel balls as kids find it difficult to deal with the rolling balls.
  • The provider can also consider providing polyhedron shaped balls which will not roll as the steel balls.
  • The polarity of the magnet can be marked to help kids handle them quickly for making their construction easy. But this is not mandatory as it will help kids to learn the polarity better when they test with each rod.

 

Caution note for adults’

 

I agree it is a play toy but that does not mean you can allow kids to handle them alone. The small balls cause a choking hazard and monitor kids not to swallow. Similarly, the magnet rods should not be put in the mouth as they may get attracted in the intestine and cause serious health issues. Do not use any broken panels which may hurt kid’s hands.

 

Finally, make sure not to keep magnets near computers and magnetic media which will cause interruption and lead to malfunction of the systems.

 

5 more similar products for you to compare

 

I do not want you to go choice less and hence adding these 5 products letting you compare with Geomag to purchase the best. Also, you can consider gifting a different product to kids if you already have Geomag Panels.

 

  1. Happy Genius Magnetic Blokcs – Amazon Link – This contains 110 pieces and all are magnetic blocks of different shapes with an instruction manual. There are no steel balls and magnetic rods so kids of any age can play it safe. Different size, shape and color combinations are there within the 110 pieces and hence kids can learn construction plus magnetism.
  2. Magz Electrobix – Amazon Link – There are 40 blocks magnetized and consist of lights. Apart from the usual building concepts and magnetism now kids can be taught about light as well. Feel great to include one more science lesson in a playful way with the help of Magz Electronix 42 piece magnetic light upset.
  3. Magnetic Stick N Stack – Amazon Link – 72 pieces including 60 magnetic tiles, stile mags – 12, and these are made with powerful magnets. These are marketed with the aim of allowing kids to make a model of car, airport, etc. The powerful magnets are 3 times strong when compared to the usual magnets. The stile mags help in adding letters, pictures, and shapes to the creation.
  4. Goobi Juniors – Amazon Link – This is best suited for toddlers as they contain magnetic rods but encapsulated in plastic molding with steel balls fixed inside. So no choking hazard and kids can make any model with magnetic force. However, the magnetic force is strong enough to allow the construction to remain fixed.
  5. Exasticks Magnetic Blocks – Amazon Link – With 32 square and 32 triangular panels’ kids can construct even a car model as they also provide wheels with this set. The magnetic colorful panels stay fixed letting kids think logically and make different models. Also, the exclusive bag offered with the set makes the life of parents easy to collect and store them for future use.

 

I am glad to recommend you all to choose the Geomag Panel as the fundamental magnetic toys as they are worth the price and develop the critical thinking skills of kids.

Disclaimer:This post contains affiliate links from Amazon. An affiliate link means that when you purchase using the link provided in this page, I would get a small referral fees WITHOUT any extra cost to you. I highly appreciate your understanding and support.

Book Review : Ivy and Beak Break the Fossil Record

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Go Science Girls Review Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record

I love reading books and so do my daughters. It is because right from their young age I started reading books aloud for them. My elder daughter 7+-year-old has started reading on her own small books and my younger one still reads the book looking at the pictures. So once I came across this book Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record, I was fascinated at the cover looking at two little girls at the age of 7 with their smiling face reminded me my two daughters. I purchased the book to read it for my kids. As usual, I just wanted to share my opinion about the book with you all.

Let me give you a brief intro about the author, then a short summary about the story, and then a few benefits of gifting the book to kids. Finally, I will share my honest review about the good, better and the bad allowing you to decide whether or not to buy this book.

Go Science Girls Review Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record

Author

Annie Barrows born and raised in San Diego (California) is a professional writer and is well-known for her Ivy and Bean series books. She has written books for adults too. From 2003 she began her journey in writing books for kids and before that she was working as an editor and has written books for adults. From 2003 to 2018 she has published 11 books in Ivy and Bean series. She knows palmistry and written about fortune telling as well.

Sophie Blackhall has been the backbone in illustrating pictures for Ivy and Bean series. She is an Australian living in New York. She has illustrated more than thirty children books. Her illustrations are really flawless and make the kids dwell into the book for hours together.

Check Ivy and Bean series of books here.

About Ivy and Bean break the fossil record (August 2007)

 The storyline of all the books in this series revolves around two little friends Ivy and Bean. In this story, the two little girls try all possible things to make a world record by searching for the fossil of a dinosaur in Bean’s backyard. This is the 3rd book in the series. It all begins when the two little girls find an opportunity to read books in class. Bean reads “Book of world records” and tries to get her name in the books by attempting several things including inserting straws in her mouth etc. She is indeed naughty. At the same time, Ivy was engrossed to read about Mary Anning the paleontologists who discovered the fossil of an ichthyosaur. This inspiration of Ivy on Mary Anning and the fire of Bean to make a world record combine together and soon these two little girls start looking for fossils in Bean’s backyard. They discover bones, and much more to break Mary Anning’s record.

And now, I want you to read the book to know what happens in detail.

How does this book make the best gift to kids?

This book is written in simple English and kids of age 7+ can understand. Also, it will help them improve their vocabulary. The illustrations are neatly crafted to let kids imagine how the children in the story play their characters. It includes fun and naughty activities of kids which will attract kids for further reading. Finally, the science of paleontology can be emphasized to kids easily. Good to have this book at home to enthuse kids reading habit.

Best Better and Bad about the book

The best part of the book is, kids will feel glad to read books that contain characters of the same age. It will be easy for them to relate to. Therefore here in this book, they will understand about word record. Certainly will need your help to know how one can get their names in a world record.

Next, they will develop an interest in Paleontology as Ivy and Bean in this book spend most of their time in the backyard looking for bones and fossils. Paleontology is a vast subject and feel glad that you can teach them easily with the help of this story.

Parents can educate kids about basic discipline by comparing the act of Ivy and Bean. Best way to let kids know about good and bad along with the consequences.

However, the author could have focused a bit more on polishing Bean’s role as she was portrayed to be a bullying child with her sister. This sets a wrong example for the kids who read the book.

Since it is girls dominated book, boy children might not show interest is another drawback.

Finally, the bad point about this story is giving importance to witchcraft, spells, and ghosts. It might be required to keep the book moving but target audience being kids the author could have handled the story in a different way.

Caution Note to Parents

In case you decide to buy this book for kids, then you need to be around and explain to them about Paleontology. Do not allow them to experiment anything alone like Ivy and Bean did in the story. Also, educate them about bad behavior and let them understand the outcome of such an attitude.

Alternatively, for older kids ask them to read the book and then sit with them to know if they understood things correctly. Provide inputs wherever required and make sure they interpret the right things rightly.

My Rating

I would give 8 / 10 for this book. The only issue with the story is the bad behavior of the kids, mean attitude with siblings, and the witchcraft. Otherwise, the story was good that will ignite the kids to understand about Paleontology. A good book to improve kid’s vocabulary.

I would personally suggest you purchase the book only when you know your kids are matured enough to interpret information. Hence I would make a choice of gifting this book to elder kids above age 9. You can still read the story to younger kids and do not emphasize more on the bad attitude part.

Get your copy today on Amazon and share your thoughts with us to help other parents like us.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All the opinions are either mine or of my kids.  This post contains affiliate links. An affiliate link means that when you purchase using the link provided in this page, I would get a small referral fees WITHOUT any extra cost to you. I highly appreciate your understanding and support.

Review: Magic Science for Wizards Only Science Kit

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Review Magic Science Wizard Only Kit

Review Magic Science Wizard Only Kit
We would like to provide a review of the magic science kit for the little wizards at home. Yes, you can now make kids do magic with the help of this kit.

In actual, there is a science concept behind every activity done using this kit. However, to fascinate little ones we call it as magic. This is just not a usual review but more.

We have collated the experience of several of our readers from online who purchased this kit for their kids. Therefore we have not hesitated to list down the good and the bad points in using this kit. You can read this review to make sure this will suit your kids need.

Come let us get into the review.

Magic Science Kit

Before directly knowing the good and the bad let me first tell you what is this kit all about, how to use this, and the uses of this kid. Then we will share the plus and the minus and finally, we will also suggest similar kits available in the market.

I am sure you will benefit from reading this and that is the very purpose of my efforts.

All About : Magic Science for Wizards Only Science Kit

As the name implies, this is a kit with a set of items packed along for making some activities. You can feel glad to teach science for your little ones using these experiments. They can feel happy about playing prank with you using these magic tricks. Yes, for them it looks magical and for us, it is science behind.

Scientific Explorer is continuously offering these kinds of activity-based kits for kids. All these experiments develop the imagination of kids. Make them explore and nurture critical thinking. Also, it encourages children to learn more concepts in a fun-filled manner.

 

What does the kit contain?

 

  • Baking soda – 2 ounces
  • Wizard wand (1) and Cap (2 nos)
  • Citric acid – 3 ounces
  • Clear tube wand – 1 no
  • Color tablets – 12 nos
  • Measuring scoops – 2 nos (1 each small and medium)
  • Polyacrylate copolymer (cross-linked) – 1 ounce
  • Purple paper – 1 sheet
  • Red cabbage powder – 0.25 ounces
  • Start stickers – 1 sheet
  • Test tube Stand
  • Test tubes – 4 nos
  • Vegetable oil – 2 ounces
  • Zinc sulfide – 0.07 ounces
  • Instruction Manual

Magic Science Wizard Only Kit

How many activities can be done? And what are they?

 

There are 9 nine activities which can be done using this kit and that is why there are items like zinc sulfide and others.

 

  1. Magic Hat – Make a magic hat to get the look for a real wizard. Maybe you can start with this activity first to give a feel to the kid that they are real wizards and then make them do other activities as a wizard does.
  2. Magical Wand Lava color-changing froth can be made.
  3. Use baking soda, citric acid and the test tube for getting foam. This is the chemical reaction between the acid and base. However, kids will feel proud of making a simple white powder into a foamy solution.
  4. Color change of powder can be done by making use of the Hocus Pocus Powder. Another magical trick for kids.
  5. Feverish Fizz of bubbling frothy foam is done to just show that the magical power is increasing day by day.
  6. Color changing potion that is frothing and also boiling just before you can be achieved with this kit.
  7. Go deep into science and magic in parallel by making a Glow-in-the-Dark Bubbling Potion.
  8. Test tube crystal balls can be created. Put the crystals in the wand and fill water to see them grow big in a few hours.
  9. Wizard Wand Creation – It is now possible to make a wizard wand for casting spells. Little black magic fun for kids. Finally, there is an effect of watching a horror movie.

 

Best, better and bad

 The best part of the kit

 Let us begin with the good things first

Science

Kids can learn science concepts not in the usual monotonous fashion but with some thrill, excitement, and fun. These days making kids study is a challenge indeed and hence you can opt for this kit and enthuse them for education. Tell them they can become a real wizard by doing these magic’s and slowly teach them science concepts as well. Trust me, this small effort of yours can make your kid a future scientist.

Contents of the kit 

There are so many things provided with which you can do 9 activities following the activity guide. But it can be more if you can search online and teach them additional experiments using the items provided with the kit. Even though these things are available at home and you can use a glass tumbler in the place of a test tube, still kids will love to have their own materials. That way this kit is really a purposeful and motivating one.

Motivation

This kit is the best inspiration for kids to learn science. They may think it is magic and will start using it. Later they will master the science concepts. Yes, you need to go in their way to engage them but take them along by providing a practical education.

 

Better but needs improvement

 

Always, remember when someone likes a product they will just say good and I like it. So is our review as general feedback in the good section. But, in this section, we will provide a detailed input of why this product is just better and what needs to be improved.

 

Age group

The color potion experiment is slightly underwhelming for kids of age 7 and above. So maybe the label should not say 6+ years and kids between 4 and 6 will have real fun. Grown-up kids know the concept and hence do not have fun. It is not a bad kit but can be used by a smaller age group than mentioned in the box. Magic lava experiment and glow in the dark activities really worth making but again well suited for kids of age 6 and below.

Experiment Duration

The fizzy frenzy experiment gets over quickly as the reaction between baking soda and citric acid will happen for a few moments. However, we can supplement with baking soda and vinegar available in our house to continue the fun and teach them science. For the product cost, the ingredient quantity provided is less. This can be improved.

Product Quality

The purple paper can be thicker as the purpose of it is to make a hat. The paper provided is the usual paper and hence not very strong.

Activity Guide

The guide can be more elaborate as well as contain more experiments. With the given items it is certainly possible to make much more than the 9 activities alone. Instead of letting the purchaser look at the search engine, the provider can expand the experiment list. Even the instructions are not in detail and we had to search online for more details.

Packing

The idea of providing ingredients is well-appreciated but the packing needs improvement. Either it should be presented in a small box or in a re-sealable bag. Once opened it is not possible to keep them as the covers are torn to open and there is no way to re-seal them. A ziplock cover would be the best option that can save space but re-sealable as well.

 

Cons 

  • Magic potion part in the manual has typos and instructions are not complete.
  • The experiments are almost similar and hence count 9 is not the real count.
  • Glow in the dark could have been brighter.

 

Caution Note for Parents

There needs supervision by the Parents as the kit contains chemicals. Baking soda, for instance, should not be consumed by kids raw they have not developed tolerance at this young age.  While making the magic lava experiment exercise caution and kids must not go closer as the chemicals affect their eyesight. The overall presence of elders around is mandatory to help kids understand and play it safely.

Why it is the perfect gift

Kids always look for fun. They are curious about the magic shows. They want to become magicians too. Such kids can be presented with this kit and they will feel excited to become a wizard. At the same time science behind the magic can be taught to them and that way they will grow their knowledge.

To do away with the Smartphone mania you must certainly consider gifting kids with this kit. Best way to spend quality time with kids.

 

5 Products similar to “Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit” available on Amazon

 

  1. Playz Kaboom! Explosive Combustion Science Lab Kit – 25+ STEM science Experiments. Kids of age 8 and above will enjoy and do hands-on science activities.
  2. Scientific Explorer My First Fizzy Foamy Science Kit – 7 activities and almost similar to the product we reviewed in detail just now.
  3. Scientific Explorer My First Science Kit – STEM way of learning and kids can construct, explore, engineer and learn science.
  4. EPlayz STEM A+ Kids Chemistry Juniorxperiments & Reactions Science Lab Kit – Contains more than 32 experiments and the instruction manual is detailed allowing kids to master STEAM activities.
  5. Scientific Explorer My First Chemistry Kit – 14 chemistry activities can be taught and children above age 5 can get benefitted.

[*Product links are affiliate links. Your support is highly appreciated]

Disclaimer: All the opinions in this review is my own (or my kids’ 🙂 ). This is not a sponsored post. This post does have some affiliate links. An affiliate link means that when you purchase using the link provided in this page, I would get a small referral fees without any extra cost to you. I high appreciate your understanding and support.

Book Review of Ada Twist, Scientist

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Book review of ada twist scientist
Product Reviewed: Ada Twist, Scientist

Author: Andrea Beaty and David Roberts(Illustrator).

Reading level: 5 – 7 years olds

Star Rating: 4.0 / 5 stars

The Strength: Awesome fiction story, well narrated, written and illustrated with beautiful pictures with the portrait of the main character as female who is very curious about everything around her and questioning it.

Our Opinion: A wonderful picture book for the kids to bring out the scientists in themselves.

Its been 4 months since I heard about this book and wanted to present one for my daughter. Coincidentally, one of my neighbor had bought it for her daughter and lent me once she had completed it.

The same day I started reading it for my daughter and both of us were more curious and interested in going through each chapter and finally we finished it so soon and I must say it was “Awesome”. from then on I was wishing to write a review of Ada Twist, Scientist and here it goes.

Ada Twist Scientist

Our review of Ada Twist, Scientist

What if a little girl starts to find answers for her “why” and “how” questions, is all about Ada Twist, Scientist. Sounds familiar? An awesome fiction story with the simple line of what if a kid starts to find answer for all her “why” questions through her endless curiosity for science.

The heart of the story, main character, “Ada” is portrayed young, black, school going female, who is endlessly curious, and firm to find out the “why” of everything around her, she just can’t help questioning and conducting experiments to test her theories for, Why are there pointy things stuck to a rose? Why are there hairs growing inside your nose? and so on. When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada gets read to find the source. But unfortunately her experiments lead to increase the stink and get her into trouble. She finds the solution or not, but her way of approach for the problem, her thinking, testing, questioning and eliminating is all about the book.

But her parents fail to understand her curiosity and send Ada to the Thinking chair for the mess she had created. Distressed Ada, keeps thinking as much possible and makes it an even bigger mess. Finally, the parents get to understand that their daughter is not naughty, but much curious in finding solutions for all the questions around her.

The best part is when Ada’s parents understands her daughter and starts encouraging her by helping her find solutions for the everything she questions.

This book is indeed a book for parents to get to know the curiosity in their kids and to encourage them when they question on something. at the same time helps kids to understand that not everything will turn out perfectly in at the first try.

Let me discuss some of the things which could have been better in the book

We observed that the writer seems to accomplish so many things in the book at the same time. I think, because of this, the intended meaning gets carried away by “progressive” paragraphs with different messages.

The stress on being a troublemaker seems that kids can only become scientists if they become troublemakers.

Though the writer’s intention is to celebrate black girls’ achievements, the writing does at times provides more positive thoughts towards the two white boys while suppressing the goodness in Ada.

The book is too wordy for anyone below 5 years of age. For preschoolers, I would say, Parents should read out to them. 

My daughter’s view:

Cool Book to learn science. 

Ada Twist Scientist Book Reivew
How to buy Ada Twist Scientist (* Affiliate Links)

You can buy this book online from Amazon.com (US Link) or from Amazon.co.uk (for UK ). You can also get this from famous book repositories or book stores. 

Comment in this page and let us know if you have read any other book for science protagonists. We would love to read and review about them, so that the knowledge can be spread to other readers as well. 

Disclaimer:All the opinions in this review is my own (or my kids’ 🙂 ). This is not a sponsored post. This post contains affiliate links. An affiliate link means that when you purchase using the link provided in this page, I would get a small referral fees WITHOUT any extra cost to you. I highly appreciate your understanding and support.

Halley Harper; Science Girl Extraordinare: Summer Set In Motion : Book Review by GoScienceGirls

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Halley Harper - Science Girl Extraordinaire summer set in motion book review

Book Reviewed: Halley Harper; Science Girl Extraordinare: Summer Set In Motion.

Author: Tracy Borgmeyer.

Age Range: 7-10 year olds

Star Rating: 4.7 / 5 stars

What we liked: This is a chapter book that shares the adventures of an awesome 9 year old little girl who loves science and curious about science, at the same time introduces many scientific concepts in a fun and appropriate way for the kids to fall in love with the science.

Could have been better: Story line is very much predictable. There is not much of varieties in the characters. Girls who love science are portrayed as not-normal and weird, like a square peg in a round hole in this story.

Our Verdict: This is pretty simple and easy to read book, filled with lots of fun that will make anyone giggle, encourages a love for science and most specially, female is portrayed as the main character, who is a science-loving girl, which will help the young girls to relate easily. Hats off to Tracy!!

Our review of Halley Harper; Science Girl Extraordinaire: Summer Set In Motion

This book starts with a mischievous 9 year old girl, Halley Harper, who creates a mess while trying to attempt a science experiment at home.  In order to avoid such mess and keep her experiments out of their home particularly kitchen, her parents decide to send her to some science camp. She also overhears someone calling her a square peg in a round hole and almost believes it to be true. At the same time a science camp is happening and they send her for the summer. Halley accompanied by her best friend Gracelyn goes there, where the real adventures and mystery begins.

She must work along with the fellow camper and try a series of challenges with her love for science involving Newton’s Laws of Motion. But a series of “Mishaps” lead Halley to believe that the camp is being destroyed and more likely to be closed forever. Will Halley use her science knowledge to uncover the mystery? Will she make her experiments to turn ordinary into extraordinary and save Camp Eureka from closing forever?

Book Review of Halley Harper; Science Girl Extraordinare: Summer Set In Motion

This is simply a book fully packed with scientific concepts and detailed explanation for your little ones to understand in an easy way, at same time helps in demonstrating these concepts through varies ideas which in turn can be replicated anywhere(Home or school or camp). Believe me, the kids will surely try at-least an experiment at home and hope parents encourage!!

The main character, Halley, is completely a science-obsessed girl and looks at the world through her curious mind with her interest and quirky love of science, while her best friend, Gracelyn, though not much interested in science, is always happy to tag along with Halley to science camps and support her friend, Gracelyn is a great counter part and her energy when low. Cameron, a girl teenage counselors is a person that the two younger girls admire and respect. Ms. Mac, one of the leaders of the camp,  is very lovable and adorable, one who is very supportive of Halley’s passion. Nathan, one of the male character indeed the main male character, who at times supports the girls at camp, is not quite good and talks inappropriate. Most importantly Halley’s father, who is very much supportive on her love and passion towards science, helps her practice and perform her science mess as much as she wants, has in fact, built a tree-lab at home specially for her and keeps encouraging her. Such an lovable father, right? The book also has a number of other female role-models who are science-loving, which in turn will help bring out lot of women scientist to the world.

It also makes me question as to why Halley is portrayed as a “square peg”, and it bothers me that Halley’s mother is more concentrated in a clean house then her daughter’s love for science and fails to encourage her daughter. Slowly women have started conquering the world in all fields and soon such real girl characters will be noticed and hope to see weird portray of girls who love sciences will be seen something cool in the near future. This book certainly provides a similar role-model for any girls who do love science,  if not, will make them fall in love with science.

Though the story line is very much predictable and could notice a lack of diversity among the characters, this is a “must read” book for the kids to enjoy and cherish the fun with the science and to develop their love for science specially, girls 🙂



11 Experiments That Failed Book Review

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a go science girls book review of 11 experiments that failed by jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter

Book Review of 11 Experiments That Failed

Product Reviewed: 11 Experiments That Failed

Author: Jenny Offill & Nancy Carpenter.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years olds.

Star Rating: 4.6 / 5 stars

Our review of 11 Experiments That Failed

An awesome book which is well written with lot of humor and introduces the kids to the scientific way of thinking and performing experiments with the available things in the home with loads of fun.

This is simply an hilarious story book where a little girl tries to do the 11 experiments and each one turns to be funnier than the next. It is really wonderful that the main character is a young, little, curious girl who thinks herself as a scientist, gets dressed up like a scientist with her pink goggles, gloves, lab coat and performs various experiments which fails spectacularly.

She tries to experiment the questions like : Can a kid make it through the winter eating only snow and ketchup? Do dogs like to be covered in glitter? Can a washing machine wash dishes? What makes fungus grow?and so on. And she decide to find out the answer for those by performing scientific experiments. That is, to try eating only ketchup and snow and observe the results. Sprinks glitter on her dog and checks for the results. Trying to put the dishes in washing machine to see what happens. Trying to experiment on how fungus grow with her brother’s shoes. And the most funny part is she documents all the facts from the experiments, though each one of it fails. All of the experiments have a question, a hypothesis, step-by step instructions (like what is needed, what to do) and results (what happened). For Example : “Question:What makes fungus grow? Hypothesis: If left in a closet, food will rot and become a colorful fungus garden.

What You Need:

Brother’s shoes, Bread and cheese, Water.

What to Do:

  1. Place food inside shoes.
  2. Sprinkle with water.
  3. Hide shoes in back of closet.
  4. Return in two weeks.

What Happened:

Experiment is still under way.” (Accompanying drawing shoes a tennis shoe with mushrooms growing out of it.) Looks silly but awesome right? Budding scientists will surely find plenty to laugh aloud in this book, along with new ideas for experiments to perform on their own.

Each experiment is unique and though we could guess on the results we enjoyed reading and  kept on laughing throughout the book. Illustration along with the mix photographs and drawing makes the book more appealing

An awesome “must read” books for the budding scientist and to be read in the classrooms too. Any young scientist will love this book, at the same time if your kid is already inquisitive, curious, insatiable, and you have had enough, then probably you can hide this book as this might create new ideas in them 🙂  (just kidding). This is an hilarious book for the kids ages 4-8!!

My Daughter’s verdict

“It was funny and humorous and I loved the experiments and the pictures in the book. Would like to experiment on something with the things available from the home”, she said. And as a mother I was very happy on hearing her say so.

Where to Buy

The book is available across all online book shops including Amazon.com (for the US) and Amazon.co.uk (for the UK). It was also available in local book depositories. You can also try checking at your local book store. I just wish you look to find it in stock.

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Disclaimer:
All the opinions in this review is my own (or my kids’ 🙂 ). This post does have some affiliate links. An affiliate link means that when you purchase using the link provided in this page, I would get a small referral fees without any extra cost to you. I high appreciate your understanding and support.