This excellent entry in the Science Starts series introduces a topic that naturally appeals to kids bbles. The text is simple and easily understood. "Every bubble is a round pocket of gas. . . . Bubbles trap gas within a thin skin. . . . When a bubble's skin gets too thin, the bubble breaks." Weakland goes on to explain why bubbles are always spheres, how they are formed in cold and boiling water, various ways to make bubbles, and where and how they are formed in nature. Several lines of short text appear on each two-page spread and are often shown winding their way around bubbles. The large, up-close photographs are informative (mud gas bubbles), funny (a child "wearing" her bubble gum), and intriguing (a spittlebug covering itself with bubbles as protection from enemies). But most of all, they draw children right into the almost magical world of bubbles. A short glossary and bibliography are appended, and the publisher's Facthound website is presented as a place where children can go to learn more.

WEAKLAND, Mark . Gears Go, Wheels Roll . ISBN 978-1-4296-5253-7 ; ISBN 978-1-4296-6143-0 . LC 2010038880. WEAKLAND, Mark . Magnets Push, Magnets Pull . ISBN 978-1-4296-5251-3 ; ISBN 978-1-4296-6147-8 . LC 2010038879. WEAKLAND, Mark . Seeds Go, Seeds Grow . ISBN 978-1-4296-5252-0 ; ISBN 978-1-4296-6145-4 . LC 2010038877. ea vol: 32p. (A+ Books: Science Starts Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone . 2011. PLB $25.99; pap. $7.95. PreS-Gr 2 A few misleading sentences are unfortunately included in these otherwise stellar introductions to scientific topics. For example, Gears states that "There are many wheels and axles on a car," and Magnets asserts that "A magnet can move the heaviest objects." Beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs, the accessible texts are for the most part informative and yet not overwhelming. Photographs range from the familiar bubble gum to the unfamiliar spittlebug and include an amazing photo of iron filings arranged along the energy lines of a magnet. The text size, jaunty placement, and few sentences per page are perfect for early readers. Purchase to supplement larger collections.