Summer

Seasons

by Anna Claybourne, Stephen Lewis (Illustrator)

Summer is a time for fun in the sun--and summer-focused crafts offer the opportunity to have fun while learning summer STEAM concepts. This motivating volume includes more than 10 craft ideas that connect readers with STEAM-related information about the season. Each craft, produced with readily available materials, is presented with at-level step-by-step instructions accompanied by helpful illustrations. Sidebars elaborate on key concepts, and further activities are suggested for even more exciting exploration. Readers will love these clever ideas for exercising their STEAM creativity!

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Freelance children’s writer and editor, based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Anna Claybourne writes children's information books on all kinds of topics: science experiments, ancient history, the human body, things to make, the environment, robots, evolution, art, fashion, Shakespeare and many more - as well as retellings of myths, legends and Shakespeare plays, and rhyming stories.

She studied English literature at university, but has always been interested in science, technology and art and design as well. She loves making and crafting, especially sewing, and her house is full of fabrics, craft materials, tools and books. Other interests and passions include camping, cats, outdoor swimming, news and politics, and music - she plays the trombone and has played in many different bands and orchestras, including performing live on a John Peel session in 2002 with Scottish band Ballboy.

Anna was born and grew up in Yorkshire, but has also lived in Canada as a student, Iceland as an au pair, and Costa Rica as a conservation volunteer, where she saw tarantulas, tapirs, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and giant katydids. She now lives in Edinburgh with her two children and two cats, Skye and Socks.

Reviews

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, your first job is guessing how many books will end up being in this series. I can give a hint – when they first came out there were four. This gives us more suitable tasks than that poser, though, relating to showing simple science concepts through simple science experiments and activities. Putting things on construction paper paling under the sun's UV gives us a primitive kind of photograph of them. Salt solutions can be coloured and got to evaporate from art paper, leaving some kind of image behind as well. Oh, and we can blow things up, cook things, make ice cream, and so on. They're not all a hundred per cent seasonal, but it would be perfectly acceptable to think any of these two-page craft jobs and science tricks done best in summer. And while none of them will boost you up to the class swot status, it will instil the idea of getting hands-on science experimentation under one's belt, leaving one in good stead for when class activities get to be more serious. A strong four stars for this, then, is my scientific conclusion.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations, great directions, great activities that are mostly “around your home” based - which is always a win for busy folks!!! I’m always looking for new additions to our homeschool activities and these are a huge hit. I’ll be buying a copy to have for my scouts as well.


Thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my opinion.

[Shaena Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for NetGalley:

This was a great summer activity book using interesting science and technology techniques. Was very happy to find so many activities with items I already have around the house.

Activities for younger and older kids alike, my ten year old really enjoyed the make your own paints and exploding bag activities the best.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun and colorful STEAM activity book for younger elementary kids! Featuring about a dozen simple summer-themed experiments, STEAM Through the Seasons uses everyday materials to convey various scienctific concepts. Some things are overdone (sun prints) but there are some cool new-to-me experiments, too (making "lightning"). My family and I loved that each activity had a brief but effective explanation of the concept that was being taught, and each activity also has a "What else can I do?" section to take the learning a step further.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to checking out the other seasons in this series!

Thank you to Rosen Publishing Group via NetGalley for gifting me with an advance copy to review!