Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements

by Lisa Congdon

A gorgeous nonfiction book for kids from bestselling artist and author Lisa Congdon!

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements leads young readers in an exploration of all 118 known elements.

From their discoveries to their uses to their special properties, this vibrant book explores all things elements.

• A visually stunning tour of the periodic table
• Complete with profiles of notable scientists, amazing infographics, and more
• Features an illustrated history of the periodic table's origins

This artful survey of the elements combines science, history, trivia, humor, and endless fascination for science enthusiasts of every age.

Middle grade readers will delight in this interesting take on the periodic table of elements.

• Great for science lovers and Lisa Congdon fans alike
• Resonates year-round as a go-to gift for birthdays and holidays for the science-loving kid
• Perfect for children ages 10 and up
• Equal parts educational and entertaining, this makes a great pick for parents and grandparents, as well as librarians, science teachers, and STEM educators.
• Add it to the shelf with books like The Elements A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table by DK, The Periodic Table by Sean Callery and Miranda Smith, and A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Childrens, Art

148 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Fine artist and illustrator Lisa Congdon is best known for her colorful abstract paintings, intricate line drawings, pattern design & hand lettering. She works for clients around the world including the MoMA, Harvard University, Martha Stewart Living, Chronicle Books, The Land of Nod, Simon & Schuster, and Cloud9 Fabrics, among many others. She exhibits her work around the country, including in shows at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and Bedford Gallery. A selection of her abstract works are currently available through New York’s Uprise Gallery. Lisa writes a popular daily blog about her work, life and inspiration called Today is Going to be Awesome. She is the author of five books, including the starving-artist-myth-smashing Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist, and illustrated books Fortune Favors the Brave, Whatever You Are, Be a Good One, Twenty Ways to Draw a Tulip and A Collection a Day. She was named one of 40 Women Over 40 to Watch in 2015. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title implies, this is an encyclopedia of knowledge about the elements of the periodic table. Nice illustrations and easy to understand explanations of each element. Basic uses and some fun facts also included.

As an elementary school teacher, the author "... loved learning with my students about the elements that make up the universe. Years later, I am no longer a teacher, but a professional artist, and making this book is a way for me to use my interest in science and my love for drawing pictures to bring the elements of the periodic table to life for kids and adults alike. ... In this book, I will introduce you to the dynamic and fascinating elements, the roles they play in our lives, and how they function in the world, as well as some of the compelling stories about the people who discovered them."

[AcademicEditor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most science books tend to look and sound alike, but this one is not afraid to be different. With colorful, flat-design-style illustration, and humor, the author makes the periodic table less dry and monotonous. The suggestion is for ages 10 and up, but I think many younger readers could both keep up and enjoy it.

Because it's in encyclopedia format, it's not meant to be a primary text, but would make a nice addition to a library or classroom.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Excellent Introduction

This struck me as a fine choice for a budding chemist. We start with a basic introduction to the atom. We describe the neutron, proton and electron structure, without going into the deeper explanation of the quantum physics behind that. We then look at valences and electron shells, and from there move on to compounds and molecules, but without a complicated explanation of how valences effect how atoms combine. The idea here seems to be to just set up the idea of atomic weight, atomic mass, and electron valences in order to explain how and why the periodic table is arranged as it is.

There is an excellent overview of the table that sets out how it organizes elements, and a very good description of how elements differ from compounds, (and alloys). This is good, solid, basic stuff and it is introduced in a crisp, clear, and easily accessed and understood fashion.

Once that groundwork has been laid we're off to the races. We look at each element, starting with King Hydrogen, and describe each element and explain why it's useful and important. This takes up the bulk of the book. It is interesting, chatty, and easy to digest. Lots of interesting factoids and brief sidebars. We wrap up with a who's who of famous chemists, and a handy basic glossary.

This book is illustrated mostly with drawings rather than photos. Sometimes in introductory science books that can be problematic, because the drawings are more artsy and cute than effective. Not a problem here. Here, graphs and charts and the like are crisp and clear. Drawings, mostly intended to show how elements are incorporated into products familiar from daily life, are effective and recognizable. The net effect is that the book isn't intimidating. That said, a younger reader would need to be familiar with a wide range of common items, (argon lights, smoke detectors), and more exotic products, (catalytic converters), to get the most out of the examples of how certain elements are useful.

All in all, though, this was a readable, well balanced, and reasonably thorough intro to the periodic table, and it struck me as a nice choice for the interested and motivated younger reader.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artist, author, and activist Lisa Congdon- who you may recognize from Instagram, as well as the artist behind the picture book Round (with Jennifer Ward)!- brings young readers an exceedingly beautiful and precisely organized rundown of elements in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements: The Powers, Uses, and Histories of Every Atom in the Universe. A non-fiction title that can just as easily be digested and adored by children and teens as it can be by adults, Congdon’s singular artistry and presentation style is on full effect here. Divided by element categories (hydrogen plus ten other categories), the encyclopedia breaks down each element as follows: their atomic number, their symbol, their category, year discovered, who discovered them; as well as information and background on the element. Providing readers with a foundational study of every known atom of the periodic table, Congdon’s book further details: an introduction to what elements, atoms and compounds are; how to read the periodic table; a look at endangered elements; and much more. Included in the encyclopedia are also concise biographies and dives into related subjects such as: a look at Dmitri Mendeleev and Marie and Pierre Curie; Oliver Sack’s fascination with element collection; the ‘Deadliest Elements’; particle accelerators; radioactivity; and ‘Standout Chemists of the Periodic Table’ (Glossary and Index are also included at the book’s end). An exquisite non-fiction book that functions as much as an essential reference guide as it does a beautiful coffee table staple, Lisa Congdon’s The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements is a must-read standout. Extras: A foldout of the illustrated periodic table can be found in the front endpapers.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd go out on a limb and say that if I had had this book all those decades ago I might well have got more than a C in Chemistry. After a suitable introduction to the molecule and the periodic table, we delve into all the elements on that table, with a quick-fire look at their properties, and their uses. The end result isn't exactly a perfect encyclopaedia of everything a chemist would need to know about everything, but it certainly provides for a family-friendly exploration of our world, and bringing all these strangely-named parts of that world back to home with reference to everyday objects can only be a success. The mere box-out for every element adds the year it was isolated and by whom, and perhaps a further trivia factoid. Finally, some larger sub-sections cover different topics – such as why some elements have unexpected alphabetical symbols. A lot of home educators should get a copy of this – and school librarians might well end up investing in multiple copies, funds permitting. I can neither love nor hate the artwork here, but I can't see a proper fault.

[Bexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements provides an overview of what elements are and where they come from, and then breaks down the elements in their own categories. Each elements tells which category the element falls into, the year it was discovered, who it was discovered by, and a fun fact. It also provides a tiny blurb of the history of finding the element, what the element is used for, or pictures of what the element is used in. The first 100 elements are broken down in this way, and then the elements 101-118 are in a chart with basic facts but no images or stories. It concludes with information about famous scientists (including women scientists!) and a glossary of basic terms. I don't have a strong chemistry background, but this was a fun read with some good starting points. A little clunky at times with the amount of text, but fun, bright colors make this book engaging.

Copy made available through Edelweiss.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I would have LOVED to have as a kid! A fun and informative book about all known 118 elements? Yes, please! With 148 pages this is a true encyclopedia that is well-organized and easy to follow. It comes with a glossary and nice index. The introduction is great, which includes pages about elements and atoms and all the basic chemistry goodness. There are even pages that include historical information about standout chemists. The illustrations are great at supplementing the information and I feel never go overboard.

This is a great purchase for the 10-15 year old range, and I think would work well for a kid struggling to care about chemistry. This helps bring it to life in a fun way!

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Chronicle Books. Opinions are my own.

[Kat Voss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have addition to any middle grade (or higher) science classroom. Each element gets its own page that contains its most basic information (category, year discovered, discovered by, fun fact) in a highlighted box, as well as several easy to read paragraphs full of information about how/when/what that element can be found or used for. The illustrations and diagrams are colorful and have a sort of simplistic design that draws you in.
This book also contains several pages on the history of the Periodic Table Elements. My favorite pages are the ones that talk about other topics related to some of the elements like "Endangerd Elements" and "Pee-yew! You stink!".

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fabulous.
Loaded with facts and explanations.
It includes a list and brief biography of stand-out chemists as well as a glossary and index.
It begins with the states of matter. Then there is a recap of ancient chemistry, and how the elements are organized (with info of the author of the periodic table - Dmitri Mendeleev).
The main part of the book is a numerical list of the elements with information.
Science classrooms should have this book because it's so accessible. I think it is appropriate for middle and high schoolers as well as a few upper elementary TAG types.

Oh - and there is a fold-out complete table included. Plus, the artwork is good.

[Sinbad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, entertaining, easy to read, well structured, full of fun facts and intriguing documentation about the elements, their discovery, ethimology, use and application.

In particular I appreciate the lines on the consequences in use of some of the elements for health and nature; their helpful applications in health and technology and highlighting the role of women in research.

Lisa Congdon, thanks for making it easy and fun to learn 🙏🏾✌🏾

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion.

This is an amazing introduction to Elements and chemistry and I am pretty sure it would've been useful when I was in school. I really enjoyed the structure of the book, although for some elements I wanted to learn more about their uses. The illustrations were nice too.

[Sandy Brehl]

This is comprehensive and well-organized approach to exploring and making sense of the periodic table of elements and the patterns and attributes of each element. The ways in which the organizational insight was achieved, including numbering and naming and investigating and hypothesizing makes complex content accessible for middle grade (and some younger) readers.

[Sandra]

Not really my style. While it seems like a decent book, I think by the time they're ready for this I'd hand a science minded kid the theo gray elements book instead. I don't think the illustrative style improves comprehension or interest.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I was going to just skim this book because I love Lisa Congdon’s art, but it was actually a really good read! If only my child cared about chemistry…. Maybe when she’s learning it, I’ll grab this book again to help her realize how cool it is. I actually learned a ton from this book.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal book about the elements. The information was great and the illustrations complemented it perfectly. Each entry was thorough and the additional information added throughout the book was terrific as well. Highly recommend!

[Sarah Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for my inner science nerd, and it served as an interesting coffee table book for a while.