Gary's Favorite Chemistry Books Here are some of my favorite resources for chemistry ideas. They range from teacher resources to trade books for kids. Have you got a favorite book you'd like to share? Drop me some e-mail and let me know, and we'll share your ideas!

VanCleve, Janice. Chemistry for Every Kid. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1989

This book is easy for a fifth grader to read. It includes descriptions of activities using mostly everyday materials. The descriptions of what is going on are short and clear.

Daintith, Ph.D., John, Editor. Facts on File Dictionary of Chemistry. Facts on File, Inc., 1988

Do you need a handy reference for all that chemistry you've forgotten or never learned? This concise book has clear entries about both chemistry concepts and chemicals.

Cobb, Vicki. Science Experiments You Can Eat. Harper Trophy, 1972

This book is a classic kids paperback that can be a great teacher resource. Clearly written with many experiments to try at home or school. It still sells after 25 years for a reason.

Cobb, Vicki. More Science Experiments You Can Eat. Harper Trophy, 1979

This 1979 "sequel" is also great.

Newmark, Dr. Ann. Eyewitness Science - Chemistry. Dorling Kindersley, 1993

The Eyewitness Books are wonderful. They combine eye-catching graphics with concise text to create an engaging taste of science. Many of the concepts illustrated in the book reinforce and extend concepts from the TEAMS Science Chemistry module.

Liem, Tik L. Invitations to Science Inquiry. Ginn Press, 1987

This is one of my most dog-earred resources. While not restricted to chemistry, this book is a wonderful chemistry resource. Several of the activities demonstrated in the studio are from this book. A number of the activities are more appropriate for high school, but there is a wealth of resources for an upper elementary of middle school teacher. The book includes a nice description of science inquiry as well. While not cheap, this book is a superb resource for a teacher of science.

There are a number of books that you would regularly see on the shelf in the studio if the camera were to show the shelf up close. They may not be specific to Chemistry, but they are great books.

Hann, Judith. How Science Works. Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (Dorling Kindersley), 1991

This book is one of the favorites of my own kids. It is visually engaging and includes many, many things to make and try. The science concepts are explained nicely as well. Although most of the experiments require adult help in their construction, the descriptions of the projects reveal a lot of science. This book is part of a series that includes titles like, How the Earth Works , and How Nature Works - they are all quite nice.

Lowery, Lawrence F. The Everyday Science Sourcebook: Ideas for Teaching in the Elementary and Middle School. Lawrence F. Lowery, Dale Seymour Publications, 1985

If you can only buy one book, consider this one. My own copy is now held together with a rubber band, which show how much I use it. Originally published in 1978, this book has the classic feel of all the activities we wish our teachers had done with us back in school. Topics cover the wide range of elementary and middle school science content, with ideas in just about any area you might want. Perhaps one of the most valuable features of the book is its organization by big ideas and supporting concepts (generalizations and contributing ideas). Larry Lowery is a scholar who understands kids, science, and teaching. This book is a gem.

Well, there's a start. Of course, there are many more, as witnessed by the many volumes in my own collection. But enough of my ideas - what are your favorite resources? Share them with us. Keep in touch, and Keep Doing Science!