annieb123's Review of The Periodic Table Illustrated (Mini Encyclopedia)

by Abbie Headon

The periodic table provides the most convenient way of organising chemical elements by specific icons, and is widely used in chemistry and physics as a quick and easy resource for scientists and students. It provides an easy visual reference of the periodic law, which says that when elements are arranged in order of their atomic numbers, an approximate recurrence of their properties is evident. In nature, elements up to atomic number 94 are known; further elements have been synthesised in a laboratory. The Periodic Table Illustrated is a compact guide to the currently known 118 elements and their properties. Find out about copper (Cu), a reddish metal that has been used since ancient times for making utensils, weapons and piping, and has proved to be a good conductor of heat; learn about aluminium (Ai) and its strong, lightweight properties, which has led to it being used in aircraft manufacture and building construction; marvel at carbon (C), which makes up 0.025 percent of Earth’s crust, and which is also one of the main elements of diamond, the hardest known natural material, and which is used as a cutting tool and for jewellery; and discover radon (Rn), a radioactive, odourless gas and considered a toxic health hazzard. This book will inform and fascinate anyone interested in the core chemical elements that make up our world and which are found in everything we make.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Periodic Table Illustrated is an accessible basic illustrated guide to the periodic table of the elements written and curated by Abbie Headon. Due out 14th Aug 2024 in the UK (October 2024 elsewhere) from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback flexibound format.

This is a well written basic reference guide for all ages, but marketed for a younger (middle grade +) audience. The language is simple and direct, and readers of all ages will have no trouble understanding. A short introduction covers nomenclature and very basic atomic structure and components.

The bulk of the book is taken up with 2 page spreads for each of the elements by atomic number (the order they appear on the table of the elements). The entries include info such as date of discovery, the atomic symbol, melting & boiling points, weight, a short description, and some photos or illustrations: for example, the entry for Hydrogen shows a cosmic "gas cloud" illustration and the famous black & white picture of the Hindenberg exploding.

Five stars. Up to date, useful, colorful and graphically appealing. It would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, and a good choice for home reference use since it's up to date. (Fun fact, Avogadro's number has changed (!!) since I had freshman chemistry a million years ago).

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

Reading updates

28 July, 2024: Started reading

28 July, 2024: Finished reading

28 July, 2024: Reviewed