About the Author

Chris Oxlade is an experienced author of non-fiction books for children. He has written more than 200 titles on science, technology, sports and hobbies, from encyclopedia articles to fun activity books.

Reviews

Chris Oxlade has produced many well received science books for children in grades 3 through 6. Making a Circuit is a durable edition in his new It's Electric!" series. Electric circuit fundamentals are concisely and accurately presented in twelve facing page chapters, using short, large print sentences. Each chapter has two half-page, full-color, high-quality graphics on heavy, coated paper with flash captions for emphasis. After presenting common things powered by electricity flowing through insulated conductor loops, the author describes simple battery powered circuits using conventional color-coded polarity designations, + red and _ black, and current flow direction through the circuit loop from + to _. Circuits are shown to be formed by connecting components, such as a bulb, buzzer, switch and battery, with terminal for interconnection. Using symbols for the components, circuits are presented in diagrams from which a circuit can be built. The important distinction between series and parallel component connection is presented in a four-page chapter. The loop completion concept introduced is shown to extend to household circuits and safely using electricity is emphasized. A glossary and index, each on one page, help find covered concepts; and a list presents resources for further study. Although one website resource file name no longer exists, this book is highly recommended for elementary school science libraries. --H.C. Potter, Behavior Theory Institute, Louisville, KY Science Books & Films 4/11/2012-- "Science Books & Films"

This nonfiction book explains how electric circuits work and incorporates important vocabulary in a kid-friendly context. Photographs include battery-operated toys, typical classroom circuit-making materials, and circuit boards.-- "Science & Children, NSTA, "Teaching Through Trade Books: It's Electric!""

(4) K-3 It's Electric series. Both volumes present simple physical science terminology and concepts related to electricity, circuits, and batteries. Examples of everyday use of electricity to light, heat, and power machinery, as well as suggestions for energy conservation, are given. The brightly colored layouts include photographs of children conducting activities with batteries and wires and generic stock image of electricity use. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. -Danielle J. Ford The Horn Book Guide Fall 2012 issue-- "The Horn Book Guide"

This book is written for young children ages 6-9 to explain the scientific concepts of electricity in terms that can be understood. Each page contains science vocabulary, accompanying explanations, and definitions of the words. While the vocabulary will challenge elementary readers, the large font and clear, explanatory diagrams on each page will make it accessible. . . .This is a good science book for school libraries and classrooms. It could be used at a station or for hands-on work, as well as for reading.-- "Science & Children, NSTA"

This series by Chris Oxlade introduces concepts related to electricity in an easy-to-read format using brief sentences, simple words, and real-life examples and applications that are age-appropriate. Each page includes a color photograph or images, text relevant to the image, and a callout box. Children will benefit from this text for science classes, and the large pictures make these books good for reading aloud to a group. The books define the title words, and then address how these are used, how they work, and the scientific concepts behind these technologies or devices. This series will help students gain a basic understanding of electricity and its components, and will serve as a good beginning resource for English language learners. Glossary. Index. -Sara Rofofsky Marcus, Student, Empire State College, Bayside New York Library Media Connection October 2012 Issue Recommended-- "Library Media Connection"