Synergy: Exploring Earth Science

EARTH SCIENCE is the branch of science that studies the physical makeup of the Earth and its atmosphere. It includes the areas of geology, astronomy, oceanography, and meteorology. 

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

FIRE SHAPES THE WORLD written by Joanna Cooke and illustrated by Cornelia Li explores the connection between fire and life on earth. While exploring key concepts related to fire ecology, readers learn about how fire shaped earth and its inhabitants and continues to have an impact on the environment. With so many people impacted each year by wildfires, this beautifully illustrated picture book is timely. An author’s note provides additional depth and detail. ARC courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy, Ingram Publisher Services.

WATER: HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR FRESHWATER written by Catherine Barr and illustrated by Christiane Engel examines the history of water on earth, the importance of freshwater, and the need to advocate for water security. Each two-page spreads explores a key concept presenting facts and examples along with useful illustrations. The picture book concludes with ideas for using water wisely. ARC courtesy of Candlewick, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

KABOOM! A VOLCANO ERUPTS written by Jessica Kulekjian and illustrated by Zoe Si takes young readers through the experience of a volcanic eruption. Told from the volcano’s viewpoint, young volcanologists learn key concepts, facts, and terminology. The comic approach will appeal to young readers. The picture book concludes with useful back matter including a volcano anatomy diagram and volcano types. ARC courtesy of Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette.

EXPLORE UNDER THE EARTH written by Carly Madden and illustrated by Neil Clark takes readers on an adventure inside the Earth. This innovative, layered board book introduces young children to earthquakes, volcanoes, and other aspects of earth science. Check out other books in the Adventures of Evie and Juno series for more science fun. ARC courtesy of Happy Yak, Quarto Group.

Website Review: Scaredy Squirrel

SCAREDY SQUIRREL is a website featuring the Michèle Lemieux’s popular character.

The website features information about the books and the author. The video section contains book trailers and announcements. The “Around the World” area includes a world map and sightings of the character. Over a dozen print activities are provided along with suggestions for parents and teachers.

Librarians will find lots of ideas for featuring this character in library displays and programs. Use the “Around the World” section to jumpstart you own neighborhood photography project.

To visit the website, go to http://www.scaredysquirrel.com/.

Website Review: Storytime from Space

STORYTIME FROM SPACE is a a project connecting children with astronauts for reading and science activities.

This nonprofit educational project provides cross-content curriculum materials related to space science. The website contains science demonstrations and a video library. Astronauts at the International Space Station have recorded themselves reading children’s books about space.

Librarians will find this website a motivating way to engage reluctant readers. The videos are an excellent way to help children connect the science they learn in the classroom with the real-word of space travel.

To visit the website, go to http://storytimefromspace.com/.

Website Review: Trucktown

TRUCKTOWN is Jon Scieszka’s website featuring his popular truck characters.

Users can choose to explore the adult or children’s section of the website. The adult section provides information about the series, the creators, and the books including text, images, and short videos. The teacher/librarian section provides reproducible PDF activities for students. The children’s section contains interactive experiences from the book Smash! Crash, Trucktown games, and lots of online activities.

Librarians will find this website to be full of fun activities. Set up a Trucktown in the library including toy trucks, books, printed activities, and a computer featuring the website.

To visit the website, go to http://trucktownbooks.com.

Book Review: A Child of Books

A CHILD OF BOOKS by Oliver Jeffers is a uniquely illustrated picture book about the power of reading.

In this visually rich tale, a young girl invites a friend on an adventure into the world of words, books, and imagination. The illustrator uses words as a visual tool that moves reader from page to page.

Librarians will find this fascinating story to be a useful tool in talking with children about their feelings about books and reading. Although the narrator’s font may make this book difficult for young children to read themselves, it’s a useful book for read-aloud activities.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.oliverjeffers.com/.
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.samwinston.com/.

Published by Candlewick on September 6, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: The Professor Garfield Toon Book Reader

THE PROFESSOR GARFIELD TOON BOOK READER website contains eleven amazing graphic books for beginning readers along with matching toon creator tools.

Readers begin by choosing on a book of their choice. Clicking on the right or left side of the screen moves the reader through the pages. Arrow buttons are also available. An option is provided that reads the story aloud to the child.

The Cartoon Maker section for each book provides easy-to-use tools for creating cartoon blocks that incorporate objects and props from the story. The youth projects can be saved and printed.

A teacher section includes lots of ideas for using comics in the classroom. The books also contain optional music and are available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.

Librarians will find this free website an excellent way to introduce primary-aged children to the graphic book format.

To access the website, go tohttp://www.professorgarfield.org/toon_book_reader/index.html.

Website Review: Author Jan Brett

JAN BRETT’s author website has been providing quality activities related to her books for nearly 20 years.

The Books section contains a complete booklist with high quality cover art. It also links to activities associated with each book.

The Activities area contains dozens of fun projects including bulletin board materials, bookmarks, certificates, alphabet resources, recipes, flashcards, and links to interactive games.

The Games pages including both computer games that can be played online and board games that can be created on paper.

The Coloring Pages provide thematic links to coloring pages that can be printed online or downloaded as PDF files.

The Murals section provides ideas and images that can be used to create murals for the library or classroom.

The videos page contains videos of Jan Brett drawing as well as her appearances and visits.

Users can use the email and printable cards pages to create communications. Or, listen to Jan Brett’s Hedge-a-Gram to hear directly from the author.

Keep up-to-date on what’s happening with Jan Brett on her blog. Participate in contests to win books and author visits. The Media and About pages provide information about the author.

This website contains endless ideas for library and classroom author and picture book activities.

Go to the website at http://www.janbrett.com/.

Website Review: Stem and the Common Core

STEM AND THE COMMON CORE is a project of Science NetLinks. This website provides lessons that connect nonfiction science trade books with hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities. Many of the books featured are winners of the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books and other literary awards.

Dozens of lessons connect books like AN EGG IS QUIET by Dianna Aston, SISTERS & BROTHERS by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, WHERE IN THE WILD? by David Schwartz and Yael Schy, LOOK UP! BIRD WATCHING IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD by Annette LeBlanc Cate, and THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot with STEM activities.

To learn more about these K-12 activities connecting STEM with English language arts, go to STEM AND THE COMMON CORE at http://sciencenetlinks.com/collections/stem-and-common-core/