Floating in Space (Let'S-Read-And-Find-Out Science Books)

Examines life aboard a space shuttle, describing how astronauts deal with weightlessness, how they eat and exercise, and some of the work they do

Kindergarten-Grade 2?These titles provide brief yet clear information on their respective topics. Day Light discusses the nature of light, darkness, and seeing, and the role heat plays in generating light. Floating in Space discusses how astronauts move and cope with weightlessness in space. Amusing illustrations, verbal and pictorial, demonstrate how gravity works. Children will find much of the information both entertaining and interesting, such as the way astronauts eat with magnetized trays that hold utensils in place. Full-color paintings illustrate the first title and softly colored cartoons enhance the latter. Both are worthy additions to collections that need science materials for early grades.?Katherine Borchert, Arlington Central Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In this Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science entry, Branley (see review, above) takes readers on a space shuttle mission, from blast-off to touchdown, but focusing mainly on life in orbit. As he points out, ``zero gravity'' is a misnomer--but only barely; so negligible is gravitational pull that astronauts temporarily grow an inch or so as their joints relax, are able to stand on the walls and ceiling, have to learn new ways to eat, sleep, and use the toilet, and must be very careful about stowing small objects before re-entry. In Kelley's cheerful watercolors, smiling space travelers--including one woman--bounce around the shuttle's cabin and suit up for extra vehicular tasks while back on Earth, a young girl eagerly tracks the flight on television. While in the claim that heavy equipment--even the 12-ton Hubble telescope--can be lifted in space, Branley oversimplifies the effects of inertia and momentum, his choice of detail about conditions in space will surprise and delight readers. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.