Animated Science: Periodic Table

by John Farndon, Shiho Pate (Illustrator)

The elements of the periodic table come alive in the first book in a stellar nonfiction comic series by Shiho Pate! From oxygen to hydrogen, carbon to plutonium, Animated Periodic Table makes chemistry come alive! In this book you'll meet the building blocks of you, the world, and the universe and see how they come together to make everything you see, do, and use every day. With a narrative nonfiction text, kid-friendly information, and Shiho Pate's hilarious illustrations, Animated Periodic Table is a perfect introduction and ready reference, appealing and laugh-out-loud funny. Easily accessible for readers just learning the elements, with more interesting facts and details for older kids honing their knowledge. Great for all ages!

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

John Farndon is an internationally known author, as well as a playwright, composer and songwriter, whose work has been performed at such theatres as the Donmar and Almeida in London and the Salisbury Playhouse and selected for showcases, such as Beyond the Gate.

He has written hundreds of books, which have sold millions of copies around the world in most major languages and include many best-sellers, such as the award-winning Do Not Open, which received rave reviews in the USA and became a cult-hit as well as featuring on the New York Times and Washington Post best-seller lists. In earlier years, he wrote mostly for children, and has been shortlisted a record four times for the junior Science Book prize. Books such as How Science Works and How the Earth Works each sold over a million copies worldwide. But recently he has written much more for adults.

Many of his books focus on popular science, and in particular earth science, nature, and environmental issues. His Practical Encyclopedia of Rocks and Mineral is widely used as a reference work by geologists, while The Atlas of Oceans, his big book on endangered life in the oceans for Yale in the USA (A&C Black in the UK and Australian Geographic in Australia), garnered glowing reports prepublication from major figures such as the Cousteaus, Carl Safina, Nancy Knowlton and Harm de Blij.

But he has covered a wide range of topics, from contemporary China to the food market. The history of ideas and intellectual curiosity is a particular speciality.

In 2010, his book for Icon Do You Think You're Clever? was a best-seller, reaching the top 20 on Amazon and the top 10 in South Africa and Turkey, and was shortlisted for the Society of Authors Education Award. The follow-up The World’s Greatest Idea was selected as one of the top 50 Wish List books of the year in South Africa.

He has been interviewed extensively on radio and TV stations around the world, and conducted talks, demonstrations and displays at many events, from the Brighton Science Festival to the Oxford Literary Festival.

Reviews

[Iamreddave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun book for kids. Bright fun drawings and good explanations

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing elements in bright colors bring the periodic table to life in this non fiction offering. Many short chapters cover the different groups of elements, their makeup of atoms, protons, electrons and neutrons, and their properties. Many graphs and small illustrations, including cartoons, make the study of chemistry seem like a gas! This book would work best in a classroom where the periodic chart is being taught, or as a gift for a chemistry obsessed young scholar. The publisher indicates that there will be 20 tear-out cards, like baseball cards, of different elements as well. There is a table of contents, but not enough information in the partial preview copy to indicate if there will be an index.

It is extremely busy, so it would work best for someone who is already sold on the joy of chemistry.

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2021, this non-fiction graphic novel is a light-hearted tour through the periodic table. Tweens on up would enjoy this fun read. Insights on where elements were discovered or synthesized are included. Tucked in among the various types of elements are details on the who, what, why and whens of their discovery. Featuring Dmitri Mendeleev's innovative organization of the periodic table in 1869, with just 60 chemical elements to today's table which includes 94 naturally occuring elements and 24 more created elements. The light hearted cartoons and suggestions for a few simple experiments are just a few of the reasons to like this title. Check out your local library to see if they have a copy!

[Mike Reiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely phenomenal book, for kids, yes, but also for adults. I first started reading this to my kids in February in bits and pieces but then we committed to reading every page and every detail in the last two months. I wish I had had this book in high school! Everything makes sense, the elements come to life, you can see the interrelation of types of elements, their sociopolitical backgrounds in how they were discovered and used, and there are some pretty scary warnings here about how many of these we are almost out of. Brilliant stuff.

[Simone S · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my personal opinion, this is one of the very best books about the elements in existence. It uses entertaining illustrations, amazing facts, and humorous writing. The amazing art is by Shiho Pate and the creative and witty writing is by Jhon Farndon. I especially love the abundance of humor included in the book's writing. Books like this are what make reading fun! I would recommend this book for ages 7+.

[Alexandra Hinrichs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this cover to cover with my 7-yr-old, who was captivated!

[Lachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing science words and lovely pictures.

[Ellen McGinty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that will inspire kids (and adults) to learn more about the world and the elements that shape it. Highly recommend!

[James Boulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book because it was so long and detailed but I enjoyed the illustrations and cool facts about the elements. I plan on re-reading this book to write a better review for it.

[Colt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational.

[Paleoanthro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know what you are thinking...a children's book, really...well, it was meant as a gag gift by a teacher whom I insisted needed some science themed motivational posters around the classroom (Think Positive...Like a Proton!) , but it was actually a fun way to learn about the periodic table that was surprisingly enjoyable (and, admittedly, a nice break from some serious topics). Yes, geared toward that younger crowd, it had some details I was not aware of and is put together in a fun manner that will keep kids engaged, while learning about the elements.

[Sarah Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I did mark this small insignificant book as read, my goodreads reading challenge is not doing good. This book is really cute. The illustrations were adorable. And also helpful with chemistry if you care about that