Which Switch is Which?: A first look at electricity

Review also includes:

The Best Ears in the World: A first look at sound and hearing, Claire Llewellyn, ill. Simone Abel, 978-0750237994

These two paperbacks tackle the tricky area of introducing science at Key Stage 1 and sensibly take a picture book approach to the subject, which is more suited to emergent readers who are only just discovering non-fiction. Oddly the publisher fails to mention the science aspect and recommends them as a resource for literacy, which is only part of the story. Which Switch is Which? offers a very simple introduction to electricity, how it is delivered to your home and how it makes things work. In soft colour-wash illustrations, a family of mice scurry about the kitchen worktop (don’t worry, no droppings!) asking questions and providing an explanatory commentary on the running text. A summary page and list of useful words round up what we have learned with an important note about safety. The Best Ears in the World takes a similar approach to sound and hearing, this time with a family of rabbits, as little rabbit learns how our ears help us to hear. Other titles in the series look at force and motion, light, the water cycle and life cycles. Rival publications in this area are the ‘Wonderwise’ titles published by Watts, perhaps more attractively quirky and engaging, but Wayland’s new series keeps it absolutely simple for reception and infant children.