Optics for Kids: Colors and Light

Light written by Jo S. Kittinger

Light allows us to see and keeps plants alive. But did you know that it can also cut diamonds or metal, measure a moving object’s speed, and read CDs and DVDs? This book details the science of light. It explains where this energy comes from, how it affects life on Earth, what uses people have found for it, and more.

Motion Madness written by Gianni A. Sarcone

This title in the series will demonstrate how your eyes see and interpret light and motion, sometimes in the strangest ways! Watch static images come to life, learn about saccades and peripheral vision, and fool your friends into thinking you can make objects move with a special trick.

The Optics Book by Shar Levine & Leslie Johnstone

What could be more important than light? It makes plants grow; gives us food; lets us see bright, beautiful colors; and provides warmth. But to grasp the nature of light–and vision–we must understand optics. These delightful hands-on experiments vividly demonstrate the workings of absorption, reflection, refraction, and more. Toast marshmallows by the sun’s intense heat. Create a “ray box,” and view the entire spectrum through a water prism, and a rainbow in soap bubbles. Or try filters to really see the world through rose-colored glasses! Along with a materials list, the book includes safety instructions, explanations of the scientific principles underlying each experiment, a note on color blindness, and a glossary.

Optical Illusions: A Trick of the Light written by Gianni A. Sarcone and Marie-Jo Waeber

This title in the series looks at how light, color, and shade can mess with your mind! Learn how contrast, assimilation, and after-image can make things change color in front of your eyes, and recreate these amazing illusions for yourself with fun experiments.

Experiments with Colors written by Salvatore Tocci.

What do you see? — How do we see colors? — Experiment 1, Mixing the colors — Experiment 2, Separating the colors — Experiment 3, Turning blue — Why are objects colored? — Experiment 4, Seeing colors in a different light — Experiment 5, Separating the colors in black — Experiment 6, Turning black and white into color — How can you color things? — Experiment 7, Coloring fabrics — Experiment 8, Printing colors — Fun with colors — Experiment 9, Naming the colors.

All about Light written by Monica Halpern

Sunlight, animal light, artificial light, the speed of light; reflection, refraction, shadows, colors, wavelengths-all explained in a new and illuminating book.

A Ray of Light: a book of science and wonder written and photographed by Walter Wick, Walter

The wonder of light has fascinated readers for ages. Walter Wick’s mesmerizing photographs paired with simple yet fascinating text and scientific observations help readers understand the secrets and complexity of light. You will learn what light is made of and how it fits alongside everything else in the world. Walter introduces readers into the mystery behind incandescence, light waves, the color spectrum and iridescence as well how we perceive light in our world and beyond. Walter Wick demonstrates that science and art both offer ways to observe the world around us.

Super Simple Experiments with light and color: fun and innovative science projects written by Paige V. Polansky

Light at work — Color — Work like a scientist — Materials — Light-beam relay — Bending laser beams — Flashlight color show — Jelly bean jumble — Box of rainbows — Afterimage spin

Manipulating Light: reflection, refraction, and absorption written by Darlene R. Stille

Provides an explanation of how light works, including how it bounces or reflects, how it bends or refracts, and how light gets absorbed. Also discusses mirrors, telescopes, and colors.

Optical Physics for Babies written by Chris Ferrie

It only takes a small spark to ignite a child’s mind! Written by an expert, Optical Physics for Babies is a colorfully simple introduction to optical physics. Babies (and grownups!) will discover how light is refracted and reflected, and even how rainbows are made.

Optic for Kids activities Age 5 and up: https://www.optics4kids.org/activities/5-and-up

Colors of Light At Home Activities guide: https://www.osa.org/osaorg/media/osa.media/Get%20Involved/Colors_of_light_Notes_for_Parents_and_Teachers_final.pdf

Color & Light – Optics for Kids: https://a2zhomeschooling.com/explore/physics_kids/color_light_optics_kids/

Light science for kindergarten: https://www.kindergarten-lessons.com/science-for-kids/

PBS for Kids Night light video: https://net.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/buac18-k2-sci-ps-objectslight/objects-and-light/

Tails and Tales: Cats

Itty-bitty Kitty-corn written by Shannon Hale

Kitty, who looks like a kitten yet feels she is actually a unicorn, begins to doubt herself as others ridicule her, until she meets a unicorn that helps her discover and embrace who she is.

I Found a Kitty! Written and illustrated by Troy Cummings

When Arfy finds a homeless kitten, he writes letters to prospective owners, hoping to find the perfect home for his new friend.

Emergency Kittens! Written by Jody Jense Shaffer

Introduces Emergency Kittens Mimi, Twee-Twee, and Adorbs, superheroes willing to help anyone in need.

The Three Little Kittens and One Hungry Mouse! Written and illustrated by Barbara McClintock

A humorous reimagining of the classic nursery rhyme about three kittens, who lose, find, and ultimately mess up their mittens–and share their pie with one hungry mouse.

Only the Cat Saw written and illustrated by Ashley Wolff

As Tessa and her family get ready to settle down for the night, the cat gets ready to explore and sees many things.

No Fuzzball! Written and illustrated by Isabella Kung

Fuzzball is queen of her home, where her “subjects” do her bidding and make sure she is groomed, fed, and entertained, calling her name “nooo Fuzzball” all day long–but one day they leave the house, and when they do not return promptly Fuzzball starts to worry, and finally, in a panic, she resolves to be a more benevolent queen, and maybe redecorate the house to show her feline approval of her staff.

Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten written by Laura Purdie Salas

Clover Kitty does NOT want to go to kittygarten! Although she might like a friend to play with, kittygarten feels overwhelming for a sensory-sensitive kitty like Clover. And when she arrives, it is exactly as she fears: her classroom is too loud, the lights are too bright, and everyone comes too close. So Clover throws a fit…and decides to quit kittygarten. But when a classmate comes to check on her, she begins to reconsider. Maybe it’s time for Clover to give kittygarten another chance?

Nonfiction

Pounce! A how to speak cat training guide written by Tracey West

From the experts who brought you How to Speak Cat, learn all about how to train your favorite feline friend in this fun, interactive guide. Whether you want to train your kitty to walk on a leash or are trying to teach your cat to scratch a scratching post instead of the couch, this comprehensive guide will take you through all the steps you need to know to get started.

Cats by Dawn Titmus

Are your readers curious about owning a cat? Look no further! Readers will learn all about taking care of a feline friend. They’ll discover different breeds of cats and learn which one is best for their home and lifestyle. Information on how cats act in the wild will fascinate them, and explain a lot of domesticated cat behavior.

Cat facts: https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/cats/what-is-cat/

Find out how fast your cat learns: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/books/article/cat-science

Paper craft stand up cat: https://www.freekidscrafts.com/standup-cat/

Newspaper cat collage craft: https://threelittlepumpkins.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/newspaper-kitties-inspired-by-denise-fiedler/#more-359