The Mad Scientist Handbook: How to Make Your Own Rock Candy, Antigravity Machine, Edible Glass, Rubber Eggs, Fake Blood, Green Slime, and Much Much More

Okay, so first graders are a little young to use this book.

Maybe.

My son needed a Show and Tell project. He was anxious to do "science", since a classmate had demonstrated a vinegar and soda "bomb" just recently.

Enter The Mad Scientist Handbook. I accompanied him (as parents often do in his class) and assisted with the preparation. The Green Slime was a huge hit. Even better, my son is interested enough in science to want to do a Science Fair project this year. (We may make a lava lamp, for which instructions are included in this book.)

I can't recommend letting younger kids loose with this book and no supervision. But I can recommend several projects in this book as parent/child projects, or for demonstrations in a classroom full of younger children. The first graders we made Green Slime for now have a little different view of science. (Their wonderful teacher, who is so good at so many things, is uncomfortable with science -- she's convinced she's not able to teach it well, and she's not terribly inspiring in that one realm.) Maybe some of these children will keep on thinking science is fun for years to come.


Rubber chicken bones...sparking lifesavers??!!   May 24, 2001
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is the most fun you can have with science without someone getting hurt. I have amuzed even adults with experiments from this book. The one that always gets them "ooing" and "aaing" are the sparking wintergreen lifesaver trick and the firecracker steel wool pad. THere are so many fun things to do in this book. If you know anyone who thinks that science is boring then you need to get this book and get them interested. I can't say enough good things about this book! Get it!


Wonderful Book - Watch out Middle School Teachers   July 14, 2000
This book is a "must read" for curious middle-schoolers. Lots of ideas for fun things to do and lots of trivia to go enhance the enjoyment of science.

Science teachers might want to read it too - great ideas to make science more interesting.

Joey has a unique perspective on life -- his books are lots of fun to read. (and we remember that volcano in 4th grade)


What ever happened to the MAD SCIENTIST in YOU?   June 14, 2000
 34 out of 34 found this review helpful

Remember when we were curious about why things worked the way they do? Joey Green apparently never forgot!

Whether you want to make your own lava lamp, stink bombs, fake blood or a cosmic ray detector this fun and entertaining book is perfect for the young or young-at-heart.

Each of the 50+ experiments clearly and simply explains what you need, what to do, why it works and bizarre facts about the various elements of the experiment or the materials used.

The format is easy to read, simple to follow and the Bizarre Facts section is often laugh-out-loud hilarious. Thankfully the book is not bogged down with long and boring science lesson type explanations that have the effect of punishing the curiosity.

Earn "cool" points with the kids while introducing them to the wonderful world of science and why things work the way they do. Great for school projects, homeschool or just remembering how fun it was to be in fourth grade and learn by doing.

This is a great book!