I Face the Wind (Science Play)

I was seeking books about the wind to help my daughter get over her fear of the wind. Although this book was too advanced for her age, I love how it teaches kids to investigate air and wind for themselves. Very nicely done.

Great science book for kids.

I bought this for my daughter and think it is great. My son loves it too. I really like that it has alot of fun things to try to learn about the wind. Great book for 5-8 year olds!

A really great science book, but as a grandparent I wouldn't buy it ... it is only an occasional read. However, if you happen to have a library walking distance from your house (I do) & you are trying to encourage your 2 year old grandbaby to become a quantum physicist (I do) then this whole series of books is a great, fun way to get young children interested is science.

I Face the Wind by Vicki Cobb is an excellent book for elementary school kids who are beginning to learn science, the art of wind, and how air moves. It explains the concept that air is a real thing even though you can't actually see it. It encourages the readers to try experiments at home using things like the book, balloons or a clothes hanger. I can see this book being used in a kindergarten classroom where kids are learning the basics and starting to discuss beginnings of science. I also really enjoyed the illustrations. Julia Gorton, the illustrator, used images that incorporated the concept of wind such as a tornado, an umbrella, and a tree to write words and show the effect to the young readers.

Alas poor science books. Forever to be doomed to the non-fiction section of the library where, occasionally, a student will pull one out to help with their school's science project. I've always found children's scientific picture books to be especially depressing little creations. More often than not they're drawn or illustrated in such a way that their messages go out of date, even as their science remains correct. Fortunately for us all, I don't think this will be the fate of "I Face the Wind". True, it's trendy. But it is also such a nice little compilation of facts and experiments that I hope it doesn't disappear too quickly in the unused library shelves for all time.The book begins with a "Note to the Reader". That reader, as it happens, is actually the adult who will be reading this book with their child. The note implores "readers" to allow their children to first read about the experiments and then find their own results before moving on in the book. This might get a little tedious if the experiments were vast complicated affairs. Fortunately, author Vicki Cobb has limited experiment materials to those objects people already have around their house(tape, wire hangers, etc.). No experiment is dangerous and none of them require adult supervision in any way.The book is sort of an Intro. to Science for younger children. Kids will enjoy the bright colorful illustrations. Each scene takes place across a pure white background, occasionally dotted by a window or a tree. The pictures will certainly date in 5 to 10 years down the road, but if you want something that will make your kids interested in science NOW, then this is the book for you. And hey, it won the Robert F. Sibert Honor in 2004! If you're brave enough to take a chance introducing your kids to a little well wrought non-fiction, this here's a good starter book for them to consider.

This is the first review I've written. As an elementary teacher and mom, I read a lot of children's books. Strong nonfiction for preschoolers seems to be pretty rare. "I Face the Wind" has simple yet thoughtful text and smart experiments that can be done while reading (great for short attention spans). For a topic that can be abstract for young readers, Cobb does an outstanding job in aiding comprehension and inspiring conversation and experimentation. We own this book and have recommended to many friends.

This informational book is a cute way to teach a small science lesson to a young reader. The book turns science into a fun subject. Kids will love the colorful pictures and be excited to do their own experiments. I would use this book in a lesson in my classroom. This book is also a winner of the Sibert Award!

This book is excellent for young children! My kids are between 2 and 5 years old and it really catered for all of them. It even introduces the concept of molecules in a really approachable way, which made for the perfect way into chemistry with my 5 year old!