Newton Is Floating

LoveReading4Kids Says

This engaging picturebook with its bold, energetic illustrations is a clever way to introduce young children to Sir Isaac Newton and to explain gravity, his most famous discovery.

The Newton of the title is not Sir Isaac but a friendly looking spotty dog who, readers will quickly notice, appears to be floating, along with everything else, a sofa, the TV, even the milk poured into a glass. It’s the same outside with playgrounds, supermarkets suddenly a lot more fun. It’s not long before the fun stops however as everything becomes harder, from herding sheep to driving on the motorway.

With badgers, photocopiers and rainbows in space and planets veering off course, things need to go back to the way they were. Fortunately, a surprising and comical way is found.

It’s a brilliant and memorable way of demonstrating gravity that even the youngest reader will understand and end notes share more information about gravity, Newton (the man not the dog), and other scientists whose understanding of gravity was essential to their work.

Other picture books that deliver information in fun and playful ways include How to Spaghettify Your Dog by Hiba Noor Khan and The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

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