Great Scientific Reads!

 

1.       Through the Milky Way on a PB&J By: James McDonald

This book is about the journey that two children take through the solar system. It is useful to introduce planetary science and for children to get a larger picture of our galaxy as a whole. The book includes great pictures and valuable information about planets. Children will enjoy this book at any age.

 

 

2.       How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning By: Rosalyn Schanzer

How did Ben Franklin steal lightning? This book brings to life a colonial and scientific concept of electricity. Children will learn about the famous innovator of light through a colorful book full of entertaining text and concepts that are applicable to the world, even today.

 

3.       Michael Recycle By: Ellie Bethel

This entertaining story is about the polluted town of Aberdoo Rimey, where garbage was left to grow rotten and slimy. But not to fear, Michael Recycle helps save the day by cleaning up the town using a few techniques. A great introduction to concepts of reducing, reusing, and recycling, this short tale is great for second grade and up.

 

4.       Polliwog By: Tammy Carter Bronson

A bilingual picture book, this engaging account of Polliwog’s growth into a frog and the challenges she must face. This book introduces concepts of reproduction, growth, amphibians and pond life, and other life processes. This book is a scientific treasure for children because it includes lovely pictures to illustrate the process of Polliwog becoming a frog.

 

5.       The Cloud Book By: Tomie dePaola

What types of clouds are you familiar with? This book details the basic types of clouds in the sky in a kid-friendly manner. This book introduces weather patterns, earth science, and the structure and cloud observations. Students will really enjoy learning about clouds and making their own observations.

 

6.       Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird By: Stephanie Spinner.

This is the amazing story of ALEX (Avian Learning EXperiment) originally conducted by Irene Pepperberg in the 1970s. Disproving the theory that the bigger the brain, the smarter the creature, Alex outshined his other neighboring bigger brained species with his knowledge in various areas and ability to learn quickly. Children will learn to respect animals’ intelligence.

 

7.       Faces From the Past By: James M. Deem.

Have you ever wondered how humans migrated to North America? Children will learn about our changing facial structures overtime, nomadic behaviors, and what happens to skeletons and bones over time. This book introduces historical and scientific concepts simultaneously.  This book is great for whole group reading with third or fourth grade.

 

8.       Waiting for Ice. By: Sandra Markle.

This picturesque book is about a cub that loses his Mother and his path. He must try to find food for himself, despite the rising global temperature and the struggles that ensue. Kids of all ages will enjoy this great read.

 

9.       Track that Scat! By: Lisa Morlock.

We all know how much children enjoy learning about scat! This book offers readers the chance to take a look at the different types of scat as Finn and Skeeter take a hike and examine different specimens. Children love to try these types of explorations!

10.   The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind By: William Kamkwamba.

After a drought, crops begin to stop growing in a Malawi village. Read this beautifully illustrated book about a young boy who has the will to build a wind mill to save the town. This book introduces knowledge about the elements, what plants need to grow, and electricity.