MATTER MATTERS!

Lots of flaps and the occasional pull-tab or pop-up don’t make these swift passes at chemistry any less superficial.

The book skims in no particular order over atoms and elements, states of matter (covering only three), water, air, chemical reactions, acids and bases, biochemistry and radioactivity. Each single-topic spread offers a jumble of cartoon figures and shaped or generic flaps—many of which are hinged to provide additional space for such less-than-rigorously-factual observations as “Soap molecules have long tails that love grease. Their heads love water. They clean by surrounding grease blobs and sticking their tails into them.” Similar tidbits scattered on and around the flaps and a scanty assortment of other movable parts offer chemistry basics, introductions to a handful of famous scientists and a few easy demonstrations like the messy but tired Mentos-and–diet-soda geyser.

Younger flapoholics are unlikely to absorb much of the content, and older lab rats will do better with more systematic surveys.