The Magic Wand and Other Bright Experiments on Light and Color

The Exploratorium Science Snackbook series, debuting this month, offers ``the kind [of snacks] you can learn from and have fun with''-miniature versions of popular exhibits at the Exploratorium, San Francisco's science museum. The Magic Wand and Other Bright Experiments on Light and Color by Paul Doherty, Don Rathjen and the Exploratorium Teacher Institute, explores such optical mysteries as why the sky is blue and sunsets are red by teaching readers how to scatter light; The Cheshire Cat and Other Eye-Popping Experiments on How We See the World, by the same authors, helps readers probe the relationship between the eye and the brain (Wiley, paper $10.95 each, ages 10-up ISBN 0-471-11515-0; 11516-9 Nov.).