Burn: Michael Faraday's Candle (Moments in Science) - Softcover

Pattison, Darcy; Faraday, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1629440450 ISBN 13: 9781629440453

Publisher: Mims House, 2016

Synopsis

What makes a candle burn? Solid wax is somehow changed into light and heat. But how? Travel back in time to December 28, 1848 in London, England to one of the most famous juvenile science Christmas lectures at the Royal Institution. British scientist Michael Faraday encouraged kids to carefully observe a candle and to try to figure out how it burned. Since Faraday’s lecture, “The Chemical History of a Candle,” was published in 1861, it’s never been out of print. Faraday originally gave seven lectures on how a candle burns. Pattison has adapted the first 6000-word lecture to about 650 words for modern elementary students. Known as one of the best science experimenters ever, Faraday’s passion was always to answer the basic questions of science: “What is the cause? Why does it occur?”

About this title

About the Author:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Darcy Pattison is the author of Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub, which was named a 2015 National Science Teacher's Association Outstanding Science Trade Book. Desert Baths was named a 2013 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book. For more, see darcypattison.com/book. 
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Peter Willis With over 20 years' experience in illustration and design, illustrator Peter Willis continues to be as enthusiastic and passionate about his work as ever. His illustrations have palpable character, bringing them to life through his craft and quirky approach. He lives in North East England with his wife and daughter. This is his debut picture book. Peter Willis brings humor to the story, but he also manages to convey accurate information about matter and its physical properties.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 1–4—Adapted from scientist Michael Faraday's own "Chemical History of a Candle," this is the story of one of the Royal Institution's Christmas lectures for children, specifically, Faraday's 1848 talk and demonstration on candles. The lecture series began in 1825 and has continued to present day, with a pause during World War II. The story starts with descriptions of the excitement of the crowd, the sights and sounds of the London streets, and the lecture hall, structured for the crowd's ease of observation and safety. Faraday guides the crowd, describing what is happening and the thought process a scientist uses when making observations. A diagram aids in the discussion of what happens when a candle burns. The main takeaway is that readers should always ask and answer the questions "What is the cause? Why does it occur?" when making observations. The book is whimsically illustrated in various media and incorporates printed text into the artwork. However, the text, which includes challenging vocabulary, British spellings, and, occasionally, odd sentence structures left over from the adaptation of the original lecture, makes the intended audience unclear. VERDICT Despite a few missteps, this is a potential selection for readers who will have the opportunity to perform experiments afterward or those beginning to learn the process of scientific inquiry. Also, a good option for fans of Jacqueline Briggs Martin's Snowflake Bentley (HMH, 1998).—Paige Mellinger, Gwinnett County Public Libraries, Lillburn, GA

About this edition

• Publisher: Mims House
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1629440450
• ISBN 13: 9781629440453
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Willis Peter