Optical Physics for Babies

Baby University

by Chris Ferrie

Optyka dla maluchów

Genres: Science, Childrens, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Physics, Stem, Education

24 pages, Board Book

First published November 22, 2013

About the author

I am Chris Ferrie, father of four and happy husband. My day job is academic research where I follow my curiosity through the word of quantum physics. My passion for communicating science has led from the most esoteric topics of mathematical physics to more recently writing children’s books.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Ferrie's 2013 Optical Physics for Babies is (hands down) the absolute best (and equally the most all encompassingly useable for simple and basic STEM instruction) of his Baby University series of board books I have encountered to date (although my enthusiasm is kind of tempered just a wee tiny bit by the fact that NONE of the Baby University books are in my humble opinion all that suitable for actual infants, that the book titles are therefore rather a bit too gimmicky for me and that I really do more and more wish that Ferrie would also include in his Baby University tomes a list of book titles and websites for further reading and study on the STEM subjects being discussed and covered in the respective board books for when young children are older and might well need and want more complex and involved information).

But the above having been said, I am definitely, I am most certainly going to be rating Optical Physics for Babies with a very solid and appreciative five stars (and my very first five stars for the Baby University series thus far, as I am in fact not considering the lack of bibliographic materials and how the books are not really meant for babies in my reviews). For indeed, with Optical Physics for Babies Chris Ferrie works both verbal and illustrative delightful textual magic and does thankfully also NEVER become too advanced and too confusing for his intended board book age audience, keeping his words and his accompanying pictures delightfully basic and clearly, concisely (and illustratively, brightly) demonstrating how light works, that white light is made up of a combination of all colours that can be reflected or refracted and that when light hits and is refracted by water, a rainbow, and sometimes even a double rainbow with a reversed colour spectrum occurs.

And yes, and finally, I also sure am glad that Ferrie does in Optical Physics for Babies not get into those colours not visible to the naked eye (like for example infrared), that he basically stops with his words and his images for Optical Physics for Babies at a place that has given to young children a basic and delightfully simple explanation (and understanding) of optical physics, of what light is and how rainbows are formed and as such also a perfect point of departure for more complex concepts and explanations for when the board book audience of Optical Physics for Babies is a bit older (not to mention that Chris Ferrie equally does a really great job visually showing in Optical Physics for Babies how reflection and refraction work, so that while both of these terms might on the surface appear a bit verbally complex for young children, the illustrations nicely and basically visually and colourfully show both scenarios clearly and without any kind of complexity and convolutedness).

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

دوست داشتم همه‌ی سریشو می‌تونستم گیر بیارم بخونم؛ متاسفانه تو لیبجن حدود ده تاش هست فقط

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ferrie, Chris Optical Physics for Babies. BOARD BOOK. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017. $10.

A quick look at optical physics and light refraction with a heavy emphasis on rainbow optics. Makes sense, because rainbows are a property of refraction that everyone looks for after a rainy day.

Great for a science teacher friend at any level of education. My science teachers liked this one a lot. Even my optometrist husband gave this one a thumbs up. I really do think that even small children can understand this relationship after going through this a few times. I guess the real question is – will they care? I think of this series like Jennifer Adams’s BabyLit books – they are more for the adults than for the children. I would really suggest buying these for your school library for your science teachers to use.

Pre-K, EL, MS, HS, GIFT – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a college student, I absolutely loved this book, and actually, I wish textbooks were written like this. The concept of light refraction is broken down into about the simplest terms possible, and is demonstrated with some great, simple pictures, as well. There's a few words your kids might have trouble understanding (refraction, reflection, dispersion), but the pictures will help. Would recommend for anyone. :)
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Isaac Gronowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great start to my new science curriculum. I cannot wait for it to rain, so I can shine white light into a rain drop and create a rainbow. My favorite onesie is white - if I throw it at water, will it also turn rainbow? My daddy says that only happens if you put it in the wash with a tie dye sweatshirt. Science is almost as cool as sleeping. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This line of books is amazing and I recommend for every child and adult! We read and re-read all of these, and I've learned a lot. :) Our kids do enjoy reading anything, I have to say, but these seem to be short enough that even a baby can hang in with it the ideas and basic pictures. Currently reading to our 4 year old the most, older kids have also read all of them.

[Ocean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to read this book with my little one. As an engineer in this crazy world we live in I am excited to see how these principles are introduced at such a young age. I will update my review once we read the book.

[Elizabeth Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but truly educational.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent explanation of optical physics. The images help, but the words are still too advanced for a child who doesn't already understand reflection vs. refraction.

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainbows, light, reflection, and a manner of explaining that makes so much sense!

[Sue Winson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint about this book is the misleading title: this book is not for babies. This is the sort of quirky book that both children and adults can learn something about science and (supposedly) complicated physics theories in a ridiculously simple manner apt for "babies". This book is by far my favourite and the most informative children board book about "rainbow" that I have ever seen.

Like most other Chris Ferrie's series of "babies" science book, the book begins with a single circle. "This is a ball", it says. Using an object, a red ball, Chris started to tell us how it reflects red light and absorbs blue and green light. He then talks about how a "clear" ball is formed (all colours pass through it), and how all colours can combine to become "white" light. Chris then tells us about how light travels in straight line until it hits something. The light can be reflected or retracted (it doesn't tell us in what circumstances it will get reflected or refracted, let's hope our children won't ask us the details.)

It then leads us to a favourite thing of many young kids: rainbow! When white light is refracted, there will be a dispersion (turning into separate colours), which is essentially how a rainbow is formed when a white light hits a raindrop. How I wish we have such similar books in our school time. It would have made learning so much fun!

Chris did not stop there. He then talks about rainbow colours, and how a double rainbow is formed (when light reflected two times inside a raindrop). This is probably the only children board book that will get into details like reversed colour order on second rainbow, and uses words like "spectrum of colours". Awesome.

2-year old little-AJ has no idea what this book is all about and doesn't show much interest in those balls and weird colours, but I will sure read this to him again one day when he is a bit older.

Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was interesting ! My daughter is 16 months old and enjoyed the pictures, though it would be better in board book form so actual babies can't destroy it ! :)

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Teaches reflection, refraction, dispersion and ROYGBV.

Highlights: Oh my, the COLORS.

Lowlights: Not a stellar explanation of why objects are certain colors - specifically when explaining color absorption.

[Dave Corun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. An in-depth view of optical physics that delves into subject matter relevant to all babies.

[Heather McC · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ambitious book and a potentially good resource for early elementary kiddos (or anyone wanting a quickie primer on optical physics), Ferrie packs the book with plenty of science vocabulary: prism, dispersion, refracted and reflected light. The up close (and accurate) look at rainbows will entertain the curious minds. Though it's marketed as an EI (infant book), it is suited more for older readers - don't let the kid-like packaging fool you too much here.

[Keyla Arcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Optical Physics for Babies was such an enthralling read. I found myself quivering with trepidation each time I turned the page. Nothing can compare to this captivating academic read. If you seek to understand the mystifying wonders of our world that are just out of reach of our eyes, I recommend this book. From the bizarre refraction to the puzzling phenomena of double rainbows, this otherworldly piece of literature will truly change your perspective.

[Ben Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are these absolutely cute and interesting? Yes! Do they explain fundamental concepts of the universe in easy to digest pictures and sentences? Yes. Do they fluff my yearly reading goal? Absolutely.

One comment, I had to go confirm that black is an absence of color. Would’ve loved to see that in the book!

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully explained in simple terms for my two year old. Reminder, these books are laying foundations for concepts. Planting seeds. These are easy to move through because they aren’t overly busy. Great read!

[Mr. Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mommy read me this book that we borrowed from the library.

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really for parents and big brothers and sisters.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most colorful book in the series by far, and is a good way to teach young children (not just babies) about reflection, refraction, and the visible spectrum.

[Jeani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must.read.them.all. I learned so much!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

More engaging than "Quantum Entanglement for Babies," but only because there are prettier colors.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun airport bookstore read.

[Addie LeMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even I managed to learn a little something from this. Great book to read to kids to teach them the very basics of Optical Physics. Loved the illustrations. Would recommend for everyone to read.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most accessible and brightly colored of the four Chris Ferrie board books I've read. It is the only one that I might actually read to a young child.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and with real information. My 6yo gets more out of it than the baby, of course, but the whole family enjoys it.

[Melinda Weprin · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, interesting to learn as an adult

[Yani G · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun my son (who has 2 degrees in Physics) ended up buying this for his daughter, my grandbaby.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby can learn about light refraction, dispersion, and more in this book.