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Good Housekeeping Amazing Science

Good Housekeeping Amazing Science

Aubre Andrus, Rachel Rothman

Best Experiment

Thicker Picker-Upper

Comparatively test the difference between toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues. How are 3 related paper products different and why?

Why we love it:

Many books have gimmicky experiments designed to wow, but they lack depth. This experiment was designed by someone asking a real question: How are these products different? We know that toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues ARE different, but how exactly? Once you ask the question, it becomes one people want to know the answer to.

Unique Experiment

Odd Couples

There is a scientific reason why combining salty and sweet foods creates a whole new taste that is different from enjoying them separately.

Why we love it:

I read lots of activity books, but I have never seen this one. The activity has you eat salt and sweet combinations like apples with cheese to experience how the flavor is enhanced. This is a hands-on version of the scene from Ratatouille (2007) where Remy eats a strawberry with cheese and experiences his passion for food.

Don't Believe the Hype

  1. The book states over 80 experiments.In actuality, it is 44 with optional extensions for each experiment.

  2. At the back of the book is a check box chart of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math for each experiment.This grid is beyond a stretch. Of all the experiments, I would deem 1 of them to be involving technology, the chart states 25. Yeah no, this cover is jumping on the STEAM catchphrase to get you to buy.

  3. The book has several experiments clearly inspired by professionals at Good Housekeeping and a dozen filler experiments. The filler experiments are a bummer, we are not buying this book to get yet another basic recipe for slime.

Takeaways

  1. Under the filler experiments, there are some gems in this book. At least 1 author in this book put some serious thought into the questions real people are asking.

  2. Science is solid, every experiment has a scientific explanation for what is happening and why. We hate being left hanging.

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