What Is a Gas? (First Step Nonfiction)

Combines bright illustrations with spare, comprehensive text to introduce basic scientific concepts about gas, providing a complementary glossary, a "Fun Facts" section and a graphic image of the oxygen cycle. Simultaneous.

Kindergarten-Grade 2–Each of these introductions explains the relevant state of matter, along with basic vocabulary. The layout is bright with many color photographs featuring children of different ethnicities. The text is spare; each spread includes, on average, three sentences. In Gas, the fact that gases take the form of their container is accompanied by photographs of a balloon slowly filling. The book concludes with a simple explanation and graphic of the oxygen cycle. Liquid states that this form of matter also takes the shape of its vessel and can be changed into other states. In Solid, the text concludes with a simple experiment using a tea bag, drink mix, and glass of water to show how solids can dissolve in a liquid. There is some crossover of coverage among the books. Additional purchases.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
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From the First Step Nonfiction series, this small book introduces a single state of matter: a gas. Each page in the main section offers one or more colorful photographs and a brief line or two of large-print text. After a brief introduction to matter, the discussion moves on to the characteristics of gases and a few examples. The final pages, written in more difficult sentences, include a glossary, an introduction to the oxygen cycle, and a section of "Fun Facts." The explanation is good as far as it goes, but it's puzzling that the introduction to states of matter does not mention solids and liquids. The sentence "There are three kinds of matter" is illustrated with photos of an ice cube in child's hand, water falling into a bathtub, and steam rising from a cup, but the solid and liquid states are not identified in the text. Still, parents and teachers may find the book useful in helping their children grasp the idea of a gas. Carolyn Phelan
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