In the same spacious format as Adler and Raff's Things That Float and Things That Don't (2013), this appealing book shows two curious kids and their dog playing around with magnetism. They test the attraction of various metals to their simple bar- and horseshoe-shaped magnets. They use the "invisible pulling power" of magnetism to move paper clips separated from the magnets by air, water, and glass. Dangling bar magnets from strings, they determine their north and south poles, mark N and S on the bars, and play with how the designated ends of two magnets attract or repel each other. The engaging artwork, created with digitally assembled and colored ink washes, clearly shows what the children are doing and how the force of magnetism (represented with arrows) is acting on their simple equipment. At times, the dog adds nonverbal humor to the scenes. Presenting information with an upbeat tone and imaginative touches, the book encourages children to learn by doing. An intelligent starting point for hands-on exploration of the familiar yet mysterious phenomenon of magnetism.

This informative, interactive exploration of magnets and magnetism encourages readers to track down materials and investigate on their own. Each physics concept is carefully explained at just the right level and anchored in visible phenomena. Adler addresses common misconceptions or skillfully constructs lines of reasoning that prevent them from developing. Illustrations provide a friendly and helpful orientation to the activities described in the text. Glos., ind.

A first introduction to magnets of both the simple and "on and off" sorts, with basic demonstrations of what they can do. Unfortunately, Adler's opening observation that magnets are attracted to "anything made of iron, steel, nickel or cobalt and some less plentiful metals, including neodymium and samarium" may repel more readers than it attracts. After this, he shifts to a level of discourse so basic that the difference between geographical and magnetic north goes unremarked. Then, amid various demos involving magnets and paper clips or iron filings (the latter "available at most hardware stores"), he presents more or less the same instructions twice for determining which pole is which on a bar magnet—and includes a vague warning to remove any nearby item "made of iron, steel, nickel or cobalt" (like what?) so as not to "confuse the magnet." Raff follows suit with very simply drawn illustrations featuring a pair of dark-skinned children performing the experiments in a household setting (as dad vacuums a rug in the background—OK, points there), but in such a schematic way that the homemade electromagnet's wire wrapping doesn't touch the core nail. Not much here to attract interest—particularly as clearer, more carefully written primers on the topic abound. (index, glossary) (Informational picture book. 6-8)

K-Gr 3In a friendly tone, Adler addresses readers directly in order to facilitate a hands-on investigation of magnets. ("Do you have a magnet? If you do, you can use it as a metal tester&30; Test some U.S. coins. Does your magnet stick to any of them?") In the process of reading and testing, kids discover how magnets work to attract metals such as iron, steel, nickel, or cobalt; how they can move objects through paper, water, and glass; how to magnetize a paper clip; and how an electromagnet works. The large cartoon illustrations blend seamlessly with the text to present data and inject a bit of humor. The book begins and ends with a reminder to students that magnets are essential parts of everyday items, which will help them to integrate this information into their daily lives. VERDICT An excellent guide for young children learning about magnetism.Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York