Module 7: Things That Float and Things That Don't

Book Summary 

This informational picture book is about density. The author playfully introduces density and instructs a boy and a girl along with the reader through a series of investigations using scientific inquiry beginning with guessing about what kinds of things will float. After testing a couple of items, the author tells the reader to "make a list of what you found," and the illustrations show the chart they are to make. The chart is identical to the way evidence is collected and measured in core science investigations. The author introduces the concepts of weight, size, and shape of objects, instructing the reader to try a loosely crumpled piece of foil and a tightly balled piece. When the tight ball sinks he explains, "The density of the second ball is greater than the density of water. That's why it sank." He repeats and spirals the concept with more experiments, adding more and more scientific vocabulary, until the concept is thoroughly taught.

APA Reference of Book

Adler, D. (2013). Things that float and things that don't. New York, NY: Holiday House

Impressions

While this book is a fun, attractive, and very pleasurable picture book, it is actually a lesson on the concept of density and gives instructions for scientific investigation. It is written in such an engaging way that no kid could possibly resist conducting the experiments. Illustrations of a boy and girl following the instructions make it even more enticing and clear for even very young readers. The information given is up-to-date, accurate science and scientific method. The entire book is filled with simple hands-on investigations, and participation is encouraged and supported with pleasing illustrations of children conducting the experiments.

Professional Review

K-Gr 2--This introduction to density offers new vocabulary in bold font, delightful soft-hued illustrations, and clearly focused content on flotation. The strong examples provide extension activities that can be done at home or in the classroom. The images enhance the concept as readers meet a boy, a girl, and their dog as they embark on an adventure to discover what will float and what won't. For example, a spread depicting how density is relative to the size of the object shows the dog looking over a kitchen sink full of water as a piece of aluminum foil floats as a loose ball and sinks as a tight one. This title supports the Common Core State Standards that focus on measurement skills, interpretation of data, and incorporation of key ideas and details in the text. Recommended for math collections in public and school libraries and classroom shelves.

Smith, M. (2013, August) Things that float and things that don’t. [Review of the book Things 

       that float and things that don’t, by D. Adler]. School Library Journal, 59(8), 118. 

       Retrieved from www.slj.com

Library Uses

Librarians could supplement elementary science class work with fun lessons in the library using this book.