Books for Young Scientists

There are so many good books for young people who are interested in science and the study of the world around us. Most of these are not technically nonfiction, but have plenty of factual elements in them. Perhaps my favorite of this group are the two based on women scientists, Rachel Carson and Katherine Johnson. Both lived in an era when it was unusual for a woman to pursue a career in science or math and they both overcame the odds to live their lives immersed in their chosen fields. Enjoy sharing these books with children you know!

Spring After Spring : How Rachel Carson Inspired the Environmental Movement by Stephanie Roth Sisson

A brief biography of Rachel Carson with highlights that tell of her journey to writing Silent Spring. Sisson has done a masterful job of writing and illustrating a book that can be understood by children and adults alike. She shows how miniscule poisons can affect not only bird’s eggs, but the wildlife that eat the birds as well, and ultimately the humans in the environment. The book ends with a brief note on the importance of Silent Spring to the environmental movement as well as additional information about the story that is being told on each page. Perhaps a copy of this should be sent to the Trump administration.

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, Illustrations by Dow Phumiruk

A short biography of Katherine Johnson, the mathematician who worked on several manned space flights, including the one that landed Americans on the moon for the first time. Katherine was an amazing math wizard and a self-effacing woman who achieved at the highest level allowed for a Black woman of her time. Becker interviewed Katherine before writing this book and includes additional notes on her life at the end.

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by David Litchfield

Tongue in cheek, earth speaks to the reader giving a bit of history and telling us how to take care of the planet we know of as home. While most events and information are given only a superficial treatment, McAnulty does a great job of introducing big ideas to children: what is a planet, why we should take care of the earth, etc. She concludes with a few additional facts as well as sources for her information. Get the scoop on Planet Earth!

One Day a Dot by Ian Lendle, illustrated by Shelli Paroline & Braden Lamb

Clever use of metaphor to tell the story of the Big Bang Theory appropriately for children. Moving quickly from the first life on earth to the cavemen and beyond, Lendle gives information in a way that children can relate. He even leaves room for questions and discussion. Where did that first dot come from anyway?

Hello, My Name is … by Marisa Polansky, Pictures by Joey Chou

As a small octopus floats into new territory, he realizes that all the other sea creature have names that reflect what they look like or what they can do. But, this little sea creature has no name, until a scientist taps on the tank window and calls him Adorabilis. While the story is told in an anthropomorphic way, it is based on facts and the end notes explain who Adorabilis was found and how this creature got its name.

What’s Your Favorite Bug? Eric Carle and Multiple Authors

In the tradition of Eric Carle and friends, this book poses one question and has multiple answers from many well known illustrators. This means that each page is illustrated in a different style giving us Carle’s colorful caterpillar as well as Eric Fan’s personified working bee complete with bowler hat and briefcase. Lots of fun details about the work that insects do for us as well.

If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams 

Another book about the effects of humans on the environment. While Williams uses big words and huge concepts to tell the story of what is likely to happen to polar bears, much of this book can be explained to young children with time and patience. The end notes give ideas that all of us can try to alleviate our negative effect on the environment. Throughout the story, multiethnic children encounter a variety of wildlife in nature. Let’s hope that this is something that can continue for many more generations.

Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferrari, Pictures by Brian Floca

A young girl watches a hawk family as young chicks hatch and the male hawk hunts for prey throughout the day. Poetic language matches the dreamy illustrations, giving a soft, hazy view of the hawk chasing and finally catching a small animal. The book ends with facts about raptors and hawks in particular. This will need to be read with care as it is clear that the hawk will kill and eat the squirrel it finally catches and young readers may need some context within the cycle of life.

Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World by Christy Hale

A concept book told with limited words and a refined color palette. Hale illustrates each land and water form with yellows, blues and simple cutouts to make her point. The end of the book is a foldout page with a map of the world, labeled with the vocabulary used throughout the book. Simple enough for first grade, but extremely useful for older learners who need to master this vocabulary.