David A. Adler is a former math teacher and author of more than two hundred books for children. He has collaborated on several science picture books with Anna Raff, including Light Waves and Magnets Push, Magnets Pull, both named finalists for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books. He is also the author of the Picture Book Biography series and the Cam Jansen mystery series. He lives in New York. Anna Raff is an award-winning illustrator of children's books. She illustrated David A. Adler's Simple Machines and Things That Float and Things That Don't, which received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. She lives in New York City.
Adler . . . combines simply phrased explanations and demonstrations using measuring cups, balloons, and other common materials to make the differences between each classical state of matter easy to comprehend. . . . Raff's bright cartoon illustrations add clarifying details and humor. . . . [An] engaging first look at the various states of matter, supported by hands-on components that are accessible to even the youngest experimental scientists--School Library Journal Simple experiments and kid-friendly language teach concepts about matter to young audiences. . . . delivers scientific information alongside eye-catching illustrations with details that will delight.--Kirkus Reviews Overall, a useful addition to the science shelves.-- Booklist In preparation for Grandma's birthday celebration, twin siblings clean up their accumulated mess while Dad struggles with dinner, a scenario that ably launches Adler's discussion of states of matter, anchoring it to readily observable matter around the house. . . . A brief glossary rounds out this title, readaloud- and discussion-ready for primary science classes. --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books