SCIENCE STUNTS: Dr. Dazz, Olivia and More
posted by Jordan on Sunday, May 15, 2016
Calling all curious kids! My latest book SCIENCE STUNTS explores the magic of science—and the science of magic. Sci-fi writer and inventor Arthur C. Clarke wrote “Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.†Some science tricks today would have seemed like witchcraft hundreds of years ago. (Tangent: Check out this amazing, true story of how famous magician Robert Houdin actually stopped a rebellion using the science of electromagnetism.) As a child, I loved performing magic shows at birthday parties as “The Great Jordini.†Around that time, I also became fascinated with science experiments that had a big razzle-dazzle factor. So, when I was asked to write a kids science book that showcases the fun side of physics, I jumped at the opportunity. I did a bunch of research to find an engaging collection of science explorations that illustrate physical phenomena such as gravity, motion, heat, magnets, sound, light, and electricity. I was thrilled when my CRAZY CONCOCTIONS illustrator Anthony Owsley agreed to create wonderfully wacky illustrations again.
The book is hosted by Dr. Dazzleberry (“Dr. Dazz,” to those in the know), a physicist and magician who wears a rhinestone-studded tuxedo. He was inspired by some of my heroes, including Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, and Penn Jillette. To help Dr. Dazz explain “The Science Behind the Stunt,†I created cartoon versions of Isaac Newton, Galileo, and Albert Einstein. (In the Acknowledgments I had fun telling this talented trio: “If there are any errors between these covers, I blame you guys for not jumping in a time machine and correcting them.â€)
My daughter Olivia, to whom this book is dedicated, graciously agreed to demo some of the experiments from the book in a series of YouTube videos. Take it away, Olivia!!!
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