Reviewed with Salvatore Tocci's Experiments with Simple Machines. Gr. 2-5. These books from the True Book series use a good-size font and are illustrated with clear photos and colorful pictures that appear to be digital. Simple Machines begins with an outlandish Rube Goldberg device, which "uses simple machines to make a simple task much more complicated." From this engaging introduction, Tocci moves on to a series of discussions of simple machines in the home and activities using readily available materials to demonstrate the effectiveness and power of these devices. Soap presents the history of soap and the effect of soap on water molecules, then offers eight experiments using soap and water to demonstrate ideas such as surface tension, hard and soft water, air currents, and lung capacity. Each book ends with brief lists of additional readings, organizations, and Internet sites as well as a glossary. Good sources of simple science experiments. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2003 Booklist