Let’s Get Moving!: Speeding into the Science of Motion with Newtonian Physics

Author Dr. Chris Ferrie, a physicist and mathematician, plays himself in his new juvenile nonfiction book about physics for early elementary school-aged children. When a red kangaroo comes to his lab with questions about how and why his toy ball moves as it does, Dr. Chris explains Newton’s Laws of Motion to him by demonstrating everyday behaviours with common objects. Examples include opening and closing doors and rolling or throwing toy balls. Some of the experiments are conducted outside with birds flying overhead; others are done in the lab where Chris can be seen wearing a white lab coat with his name on it. The brightly coloured artwork also includes images of Isaac Newton holding an apple and a demonstration of an activity two people can do together with their hands to feel Newton’s Third Law. The round shape of the ball can be seen reflected in decorative details that include more in depth or additional facts about the science words that appear in the story. The various definitions and examples of the words “force”,” mass”, “gravity”, “acceleration”, and “motion” will help children understand the bolded terms that also appear in the glossary at the back of the book. Review points, test questions, and at home demonstrations (materials include a rock, cardboard, cup, scale, ball) extend the story long after the main part of the story ends.