Elementary students and their teacher engage in discovery about properties of matter. This idealistic story of science lessons, accompanied by jolly cartoon illustrations, is followed by directions for the activities described (more suitable for school but doable at home with the proper materials). The material sometimes strays into more complex concepts without enough accompanying explanation.

<p>Oh to be a kid in Mr. Whiskers's primary science classes. The next best thing is reading and doing hands-on science explorations at school or at home with this guide. Mr. Whiskers is a hip young teacher with red crew cut and goatee who sets simple rules and gives children free range with collaborative inquiry centers. He encourages them to explore, discover, and share big ideas about matter. Seven of those big ideas are boxed in the drawings to reinforce them for the reader. He concludes with a word to parents and teachers about inquiry, provides recipes, and gives addresses for supplies. His approach models NSTA recommended practices and national Science Standards. The eight multiracial kids and their laidback mentor are having a great time, while exploring important concepts. The illustrator's humorous pen-and-watercolor drawings are appealing and action-filled without overwhelming the text. Hopefully, Ross, a naturalist and author of 40 books for children, has many more Mr. Whiskers adventures planned. Great fun, with appealing science. (Nonfiction. 7-10)</p>

K-Gr 3-Mr. Whiskers allows his eight students to spend the day exploring seven science centers around the classroom and on the playground. As the students experiment, they uncover "big ideas" about matter. For example, using water droppers allows them to figure out that matter takes up space, while playing with "gloop" points out that matter can be explored by using the senses. As each concept is revealed, it is displayed in the ink-and-watercolor illustrations on a bulletin board, banner, or clipboard. Although this book is not as fantastic as Joanna Cole's "Magic School Bus" stories (Scholastic), it takes a similar approach by encouraging students to learn through interacting with one another as well as with adults. Readers can follow the characters' thought processes through the narration and in dialogue bubbles. Mr. Whiskers provides a note to adults at the beginning about how students learn through exploration and again at the end by supplying information on how to create learning kits (including addresses for purchasing supplies). Although adults might be able to glean some ideas from this book, it's really more for entertainment.-Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.