Cold LightAges: 9 and up Pages: 46 List Price: $16.95 Cover: Hardcover Published: 10/1/2007 ISBN: 1-59078-468-5 ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-468-6 |
A 17th-century alchemist tried to turn a stone into gold. It didn't turn into gold but glowed in the dark instead. The alchemist began to mold the first luminescent objects. A light also came on one night for the famous chemist Robert Boyle. After he saw a raw chicken glowing in his kitchen, he began his own research into luminescence. These scientists and many others have explored the science and wonder of cold light—the chemistry of animals and things that make light but not heat. With light humor, Anita Sitarski brings the thrill of discovery to life as she recounts the stories of the alchemist, Boyle, the adventurers who first saw bizarre creatures glowing in the depths of the sea, and others. Using easy-to-grasp applications of biochemistry, genetics, and electronics, today's scientists create amazing inventions and applications, from mice that glow to the burgeoning technology of LEDs. Awe-inspiring, full-color photographs accompany the compelling, fact-filled text in these scientific explorations. Significantly, luminescence sheds light on the adventure of science. Reviews"Sitarski offers a well-organized and thorough introduction to light that is produced by something other than heat. ...With a bibliography that includes rich websites and even a place to purchase bioluminescent organisms for science projects, this should be a first purchase for school and public libraries supporting science-fair participants." "A clearly written, chatty text not only discusses the expected bioluminescent critters (think fireflies), but delves into the realms of chemiluminescence, photoluminescence, and LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as well. ...Clear color photos and information boxes abound. A nifty list of further reading and a nice selection of Web sites are also provided. For kids who have been intrigued by such titles as Kris Hirschmann’s Creatures That Glow or Mary Batten’s The Winking, Blinking Sea, this is a deeper look at a topic that has fascinated every firefly-hunting youngster out in the yard with a jam jar on a warm summer night." "The book is fun to read: The color photographs are fascinating, and it's full of quirky facts. ...The writing is accessible and, well, light-hearted. ...Amid all the scientific explanations, the author finds ample opportunity to pile on the puns. ...You might say the book sheds light on a delightful subject." |
