[.ca] Mad Professor: Concoct Extremely Weird Science ... (ISBN 0811835545)

From Amazon.com:
From super-secret Zoober Labs, hidden on the island of Kia Ora in the South Pacific, comes this book of experiments that the "budding mad professor can easily complete using materials around the house." Each of these 25 projects is wonderfully illustrated--on laminated, spiral-bound pages--by author Mark Frauenfelder, a former editor of Wired magazine. Broken into four sections, the book provides a basic science lesson before getting down to the experiments, including bits on the scientific method and Asimov's four rules of robotics. Explicit directions and safety tips follow, and each project ends with a How It Works nugget that unravels the mystery behind the science. The experiments include a bunch of old standbys that no budding mad professor should be without--rock candy, vinegar and baking soda volcanoes, returning tin cans-- as well as a host of unfamiliar slimes and putties that should spark interest in how molecules work. (The description of how polymers work will undoubtedly serve double duty as a refresher for most parents.) Many of the experiments require supervision for younger children, and a few use somewhat less common home materials, but instructions are given in each case on where to find them. (Ages 9 to 12) --D.J. Morel

Philo T. Funsworth!:
Very Cool! The book is a great collection of science experiments for kids, written in a witty and imaginative manner. "Mad Professor", like all of Frauenfelder's work, is worth purchasing for the exquisite graphic design alone.

My kids love this book!!:
I bought this book for my daughter's friend, and my kids liked it so much I bought another for them. The experiments are at the right level for my seven and nine year old, and they are a lot of fun. The instructions are very clear and the drawings are cute and add a lot to the book. I highly recommend this to parents of all children.

I would have loved this book when I was a kid.:
As an adult, it really appeals to me, but I wish it had been available 20 years ago! "Mad Professor" is more like a manual than a children's book. It's built to last with a strong hardbacking covering thick laminated pages in a spiral binding, perfect for a budding Dexter's own laboratory. The book is a collection of cool science projects, easy to create at home and each with an introductory story that adds even more fun and fantasy. Projects are grouped by chapter and have full explainations as to what is happening. The book itself has a great "history" and is full of great characters rendered colourfully in Mark Frauenfelder's retro-ish illustrations. Buy this book, and knock up a batch of "Nibble Dough" to munch on while you read the rest of it. Your kids will love it.

Great book! Kids love it!:
This book had even my non-science-interested niece enthralled. We made two types of goo and the volcano. Terrific!

Dissapointing. Could be better:
It seems the author is more interested in drawing cartoons than laying out fun experiments for kids. I bought this for a 10 year old boy and ended up having to search the web for similiar experiments. Turned out the public stuff on the web was more detailed and helpful than this book. Good cartoons though, if you like old Hanna Barbara stuff.