What Is Energy?

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"Energy is eternal delight," the mystic poet William Blake wrote, but those looking for a less metaphysical definition for classroom use are advised to pick up What is Energy?, one of five titles in the Energy for Children series, instead. Combining animated figures, graphics, and live action, the kid-friendly format explores the various kinds of energy--heat, chemical, mechanical, electromagnetic, and nuclear--illustrating the ways we use energy with a wide range of neat examples, including robots, radio-controlled toys, and a giant electromagnet in a junkyard. Presenting solid informational content in an entertaining manner ("you'll have to use your own energy," in addition to the electromagnetic energy of a vacuum cleaner to clean your room, the narrator notes at one point, showing a typical child's room strewn with clothes and books and papers), this program also includes review segments regularly spaced throughout to reinforce learning. The video concludes with a demonstration of the first four types of energy by an appealing multicultural group of young students. Highly recommended. The other titles in the series are: All About Heat, All About the Conservation of Energy, All About the Transfer of Energy and All About the Uses of Energy.

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K-Gr 4-Part of the Schlessinger Science Library, this live-action series focuses on energy. The female narrator guides viewers as a "silent film" actor, cartoon character, and multiethnic cast of children illustrate the points being taught. Transfer of Energy discusses potential and kinetic energy and energy transfer between them. Conservation of Energy focuses on saving energy and includes information on recycling and composting. Uses of Energy asks where energy comes from and how it is used, including future possibilities. What Is Energy defines energy as the ability to do work and concentrates on heat, chemical, mechanical and electromagnetic energy. All About Heat talks about aspects of heat and cold including ways we measure heat (Fahrenheit and Celsius), convection, radiation, conduction, expansion, contraction and states of matter. Each video includes reviews of what has been learned as well as several simple scientific experiments. New terms are defined in context. A wide range of energy sources is explored, while it is clearly stated that the sun is the ultimate source of most of our energy. There is some overlap between videos, which helps to reinforce key concepts. This series clearly explains basic facts about energy and would be a valuable addition to science collections.

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal. Used with permission.

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