cover image Are There Rainbows on the Moon?: Over 200 Weird & Wonderful Science Questions Answered

Are There Rainbows on the Moon?: Over 200 Weird & Wonderful Science Questions Answered

Erwin Brecher, PhD. and Mike Gerrard. Carlton (IPG, dist.), $16.95 (288p) ISBN 978-1-78097-1070

This delightful book of little-known facts and hypotheticals is organized like an informative practice quiz, proposing questions about everyday science before offering succinct explanations. Some are great parlor tricks, like how to get an unpeeled egg to fit in a bottle; others answer eternal questions such as "Why is the sky blue?" Brecher and Gerrard avoid talking down to the reader, giving clear explanations for each puzzle infused with their wry sense of humor. The thought-provoking experiments and concise explanations (provided at the end of each section) encourage the reader to seek proofs for themselves. And to encourage speculation, they give a section on "tongue-in-cheek physics" in which they look at some of the unreachable goals of science: time travel, perpetual motion, the perfect secret code. From silly to serious, Brecher and Gerrard deliver a wide range of scientific situations from daily life. Some topics are perfect for elementary schoolrooms, while the complexity of other problems will have educated adults reaching for pad and paper; this book has something for everyone. (June)