Great illustrated encyclopedia for kids. It covers the basics of chemistry, but still explains it in a readable, easy to understand way. I love DK's diagrams and colorful pages that keeps readers interested and curious!

This is a great review guide for key concepts! It would be a good textbook supplement or self-learner's guide to mastering the main principles. Logical and clear layout should be accessible for most readers.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Like other DK Publishing books before it, this title is a great reference for students. Plenty of images and an easy to read layout for information.

Good Study Companion for Chemistry Students

If you are familiar with books by DK, you know that they are colorful, straightforward guides about any subject. This book is just like that. Each topic in the book is done on a single page with colorful photographs and illustrations that help provide a good overview of the page's topic. The subjects range from the basics of chemistry, like elements, bonding, and states of matter, to slightly more complex ones, like the math of chemistry (moles, anyone?), organic chemistry, and chemistry of the Earth. Even though this book is said to be for children, I think it would be an ideal companion to a high school or beginning college chemistry course. You could use it to flip through a few pages to grasp the essence of a topic before you plunge into the deeper textbook reading. Doing such provides a mental framework upon which to hang other facts and minutiae that will be read in a full textbook. I think books like this, too, help students who might struggle with the concepts of chemistry will find the simple breakdowns and colorful graphics helpful to deeper understanding.

I’ve long been a big fan of DK books. They are top-notch quality in both textual information and illustrations, and Supersimple Chemistry is no different. It can be used by a range of students from upper middle school through college (the latter as an easy refresher). It’s more a study guide I’d say, meant to be used in conjunction with learning as opposed to being the single method of learning.

And don’t be surprised by it coming out of a youth-targeted publisher or by the illustrations; this is not a book for eight-year-olds. Some pages are certainly easier than others, but there is a lot of complexity in here and overall, it’s meant for older readers with some knowledge. Here, for example, is one paragraph in the organic chemistry section: “The general structure of the compounds in a homologous series is easier to see if the functional group is shown attached to the letter R. R stands for an atom or group of atoms that can be part of an organic compound.” Now, the page does define those terms, but that’ still some heavy lifting.

That said, the visuals, along with the concision and clarity, make this an excellent tool for studying, reviewing before exams, refreshing concepts before labs, and similar situations. The topics start out relatively simple, become more complex, then close with some easier topics as well. Large sections (along with some examples of subsections) include: The Scientific Method, Basic Chemistry (elements and isotopes, basic equations, etc.), Elements (detailing the Periodic Table), Structure and Bonding (Ionic, covalent, etc.), States of Matter, Nanoscience and Smart Materials, Acids (pH, bases, acids, reactions, soluble/insoluble salts), Metals and Their Reactivity (redox, electrolysis, extractions), Energy Changes (chemical reactions, batteries), Rate and Extent of Chemical Change (reactions rates, catalysts, equilibrium), Organic Chem (hydrocarbons, Alkenes, polymers, alcohols), Chemical Analysis, Earth Chemistry (plate tectonics, Carbon Cycle, pollution), Using Resources (ceramics, alloys, recycling, Haber process).

The text comes in at just under 300 pages, and includes a substantial glossary at the end. High quality text and illustrations make this an excellent addition to a high or college student's library (electronic or print).

Supersimple Chemistry is a resource guide for learning and studying chemistry. Due out 23rd June 2020 from Penguin/Random House on their DK imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. As almost always with DK's offerings, I was blown away by the detailed, clear, and solidly expert photography. Every photo is well rendered and easy to follow. The supportive text is also clear and accessible.

This is a well written, factual, science based introduction to chemistry aimed at middle grades and up. The book introduces basic concepts starting with the scientific method and critical thinking skills, through basic chemistry: atoms, structure, isotopes, mixtures, solubility, etc and followed by chapters on elements and the periodic table, structure and bonding, states of matter, nanoscience, quantitative analysis, acids, metals, electrochemistry, rates of reaction, and even (surprisingly to me) a solid introduction to organic chemistry.

The graphics and formatting are top notch. There are color sidebars with explanatory details and side information. "Key Facts" sidebars also give bullet lists of salient points in easily remembered and digested one sentence capsules of information. Photographs and explanations cover all the concepts from lab safety to an overview of geochemistry.

Especially now that remote & self study have become so important, this would make a worthy addition to the student's home library. This book and its sister volume are written under the auspices of the Smithsonian.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

SuperSimple Chemistry: The Ultimate Bitesize Study Guide by DK Children is currently scheduled for release on June 23 2020. It is an aid for coursework, homework, studying for tests, and a comprehensive guide for grades 6-10. Each topic is fully illustrated to support the information, make the facts crystal clear, and bring the science to life. A large central image explains the idea visually and each topic is summed up on a single page, helping children to quickly get up to speed and really understand how chemistry works. Information boxes explain the theory with the help of simple graphics and for further studying, a handy "Key Facts" box provides a simple summary you can check back on later.

SuperSimple Biology: The Ultimate Bitesize Study Guide by DK Children is currently scheduled for release on June 23 2020. This biology book for kids 12+ years old is ideal for home and school learning. From reproduction to respiration and enzymes to ecosystems, this guide makes complex topics easy to grasp at a glance. Perfect support for coursework, homework, and studying for tests. Each topic is fully illustrated to support the information, make the facts crystal clear, and bring the science to life. For key ideas, "How It Works" and "Look Closer" boxes explain the theory with the help of simple graphics. And for studying, a handy "Key Facts" box provides a simple summary you can check back on later.

Both of these books are exactly what one would expect from the titles, and the publisher. They are crisp, clean, and bright looking resources with concise and well written text. The sections are well organized and the pages are formatted to keep readers focused. I liked the balance of illustrations, charts, text, and the key facts boxes. I think resources like this are well timed (although I know they have been around previously) with everyone learning from home for months, and the worries about losing ground with studies, and the possibility of more home learning in the future for many. This would be useful both as a personal resource to support classroom work, as a resource in the classroom, or independent study for those interested in the specific field of study.

This is a great colourful reference guide to basic concepts. The math is simple but still over my head. The diagrams are easy to follow.

This is an excellent, affordable, comprehensive guide to chemistry that really makes it understandable for kids, teens and even adults. Full color photos and illustrations explain concepts like the scientific method, ethical issues, atoms, the elements, balancing equations and much more. Each concept gets just a page or two, but it does a great job of actually explaining them in this time. Priced at around $20, it's an excellent resource. I may purchase it for our homeschool when it is released in June.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

My son got a huge kick out of this. It is in terms he gets and will help him get prepped for middle school chemistry classes. I liked it too, as it wasn't too simple to make me bored for when I need to help him with homework. Well laid out, good graphics, and clear explanations.

SuperSimple Chemistry, by D.K. Publishing, is a wonderful introduction to the beginner level of chemistry. This book is full of color and illustration that will grab the attention of the budding young chemist. The topics are clear, concise, organized, and informative. Each subject introduces a new catagory of chemical study. Readers are presented with just enough material to inspire, while not going into enough detail to overwhelm. Although this book is not to be used as a stand alone textbook, it does serve a certain age range an important purpose. To a newly scientific and curious mind, SuperSimple Chemistry provides a stimulating and fun exposure to the world of introductory chemistry.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of SuperSimple Chemistry:The Ultimate Bitesize Study Guide in exchange for my honest and personal opinion.

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As a high school science teacher, I would love to utilize this book in my classroom. Each page is a separate topic. Topics are organized together so the content builds upon itself. The book gives the most basic facts that a general chemistry would need to be familiar with. I do provide notes for students, and various activities through worksheets, videos, and labs, This book simplifies many of the topics and makes them more understandable for the students. I saw many ways of approaching a topic that I would like to introduce in my classroom.

I think this would be especially good for students who are special needs, because often they are given so much information they are overwhelmed by information. This book does not do that.

I would love to see a workbook or activity book to go along with this textbook.

I love just about any book the DK Smithsonian publishes. This one is easy to read, colorful and will have any 10+ year olds picking it up without a fight. Chapters include Chemical Analysis,Chemistry of Acids,Metals, Organic Chemistry, Earth science, energy, and Climate . The illustrations are part of the lesson that is typically one page long. Great gift from grandparents. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a high level review of chemistry level 1 concepts. The layout is well presented. The illustrations are generally accurate and pleasing to the eye. But this is not a book for any child or teen who needs to learn the subject or has a casual interest in chemistry. In many sections, the content is too vague to help anyone learn and apply concepts. Major concepts are reduced to one page with larger photos and minimal explanations. Readers who have not formally studied chemistry might be confused and lose interest. Anyone who has studied chemistry will see the book as a nice, simple overview- a casual refresher.

This is such a well-compiled science book for older children. It covers basic and more advanced topics but in an easy to understand language that I think kids will appreciate.

As a former high school chemistry teacher for 11 years this SuperSimple Chemistry book is a pretty nice accompaniment to learning chemistry. The graphics are great and as the title implies helps make concepts simple to grasp. There was only one spot that I found that I didn’t agree with as they had an ionic compound (NaCl) and used a covalent bond dash to show a bond. Otherwise I think this book as promise to help many students.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.