The Microscope Book

This is my favorite kids' microscpoe book. I wish that I had had it when I was a child, enraptured by my first microscope. The book uses clear directions, specific lists of materials needed, accessible drawings and actual photographs. The first section, Lights, Lenses & Microscopes, explains the priciples of how a microscope works and why. It also covers how to measure and how to keep a journal of your findings. I wish that kids would read this section, but many may skip directly to the experiments in the next several sections. The book also has some safety tips, but parents should read those parts with the child so that they make sure that these are not skipped. The biology section shows ways to view plants, fish scales and other items. I liked the section on how to build your own microtome using a wooden spool, a carrot and a screw. The geology section is shorter but has some good ideas about looking at crystals. There are also short sections on forensics and fibers. The section on food and the environment include fun activities using mould, yeast and mushrooms. Each activitiy description is short enough to keep an older elementary-younger middle school kid entertained. The author puts in educational snippets that enlighten but do not overburden the young reader. This book is a fun introduction to the microscope that will encourage kids to explore more.

This is an excellent book for kids learning about microscopes. It identifies the parts of a microscope and how to use one. It has a lot of well explained experiments (preparing all sorts of slides) for kids to do. There are photographs of what the slides should look like under magnification. The drawings and cartoons throughout the book make it fun and interesting.

My son wanted a microscope for his birthday. I had already bought some microscope books. This one was the best for beginners. On every page there are detailed but cute color pictures explaining all the technical stuff. ALSO, on each page that talks about viewing a particular object under the microscope, there's an ACTUAL PHOTO of the object under the microscop, so you don't have to guess if you're looking at the right thing. This is a really fun book. Before I looked at this book I was getting discouraged because the other two books seemed way too complicated and thus boring for my 8 year old son.NOT ONLY are the pictures and experiments great, but this book talks about SAFETY, it tells you what overall SUPPLIES you will need, for each individual experiment what SUPPLIES you will need, it explains--in a FUN WAY--how the microscope and other lenses work. ALSO, in the authors own words, "THE MICROSCOPE BOOK is intended to teach children basic techniques and observation skills WITHOUT DESTROYING ANY LIFE FORMS."I commend the authors Shar Levine & Leslie Johnstone and the Illustrator David Sovka.

This larger format book contains a wonderful mix of colorful cartoon-like illustrations and full color photomicrographs of interesting projects for learning more about our small world. The book is entertaining, educational, and fun. Teenagers and adults will want to follow-up with the more detailed book "Exploring with the Microscope", by Werner Nachtigall.

This well illustrated book covers the basics of microscopy for the younger reader in an atmosphere of fun and delight. The reader will learn more about their small world and have a good time with the many interesting projects. This book and it's cartoon-like illustrations and detailed photomicrographs are a wonderful example of a fine science book for young readers.