The awesome Physics in your city by The Amazing Theatre of Physics

This large hard cover non-fiction book is the perfect introduction to understanding physics for young children. Exploring the city, the authors create an engaging, humorous and personal experience where the readers are taken on a journey to visit familiar places with a simple explanation of how different aspects of physics might be taking place.

On the contents page is a map of the city area with the ten known places each numbered to their corresponding chapter. Each chapter is full of information, clearly set out and highlighted by different coloured spaces. For example, in Chapter 1- In the street - rounded mirrors are often found on small laneways or in carparks to help with seeing around corners. The physics of light is involved. The light bounces off the mirror from around the corner and reflects towards us. In Chapter 5 - At the playground – while climbing up a slide if very tall may be tiring, the higher the slide, the faster the ride down. This is known as an energy transformation.

The colourful graphic style images accompanying the text add visual interest and at times reinforce the understanding of the concepts of physics under discussion. The glossary at the end gives detailed explanations of the words chosen to be included. There are some experiments placed throughout and followed up by more links to others on the last page.

The Awesome Physics in Your City would be a valuable resource for classroom teachers or home school parents when looking at the topic of physics as part of the curriculum, or as an incidental learning experience.

Themes: Physics, Understanding simplified, City life, Humour.

Kathryn Beilby