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.

Synergy: Exploring Hands-on Science

HANDS-ON SCIENCE is an approach to learning that actively involves children in inquiry-based learning and problem-solving. Using real-world contexts, children apply critical and creative thinking to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions.

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:

HANDS-ON SCIENCE is a new nonfiction series for young readers focusing on a wide range of popular science themes. Written by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Druscilla Santiago, each book uses simple illustrations, engaging text, and creative interactive elements to explain key scientific concepts. Along the way, children are encouraged to have fun conducting their own experiments. Whether tilting the book, blowing on the page, or pressing an image, readers are actively involved in learning. Each title immerses children in a different STEM science laboratory where they use the book along with step-by-step instructions to conduct experiments.

GEOLOGY examines concepts connected with rocks, minerals, and Earth science. From earthquakes to volcanoes, children will enjoy connecting science to exciting, real-world situations.

MATTER introduces young scientists to solids, liquids, and gases. From molding clay and making cherry juice to experimenting with bubbles, readers immerse themselves in an engaging chemistry laboratory.

MOTION explores topics such as gravity and wind to explain force and motion. Young scientists will enjoy actively learning in the physic laboratory.

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Synergy: Celebrating trivia

Synergy: Celebrating trivia

TRIVIA are facts that are not well-known. These pieces of information may be of little importance, yet they sometimes promote curiosity and wonder. Trivia is often viewed as amusing, entertaining and interesting.

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:

STUFF KIDS SHOULD KNOW: THE MIND-BLOWING HISTORIES OF (ALMOST) EVERYTHING by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant with Nils Parker is a middle grade work of nonfiction based on the popular podcast Stuff You Should Know. This illustrated guide addresses a wide range of questions with humor and a sense of curiosity. Each of the fourteen chapters explores a different topic from toys and trillionaires to facial hair. The interesting tables and timelines add to the appeal. ARC courtesy of Henry Holt and Co., an imprint of Macmillan.

HOW DOES CHOCOLATE TASTE ON EVEREST? written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Aaron Cushey explores the world’s extreme places through the five senses. Readers are encouraged to think about their sense of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste as they travel to hot, dark, high, and magical places. Along the way, readers learn fascinating facts about each location. The book concludes with a useful glossary. ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

WELCOME TO THE MYSTERYVERSE written by Clive Gifford and illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors examines the world’s unsolved wonders. Exploring science’s unanswered questions, this work of nonfiction features chapters on the topics of people, Earth, nature, space, and other mysteries. Key questions, colorful illustrations and fact boxes encourage readers to solve problems and wonder about the world around them. ARC courtesy of Wide Eyed Editions, an imprint of Quarto Group.

Synergy: Celebrating Wild Animals

WILD ANIMALS are creatures that have not been domesticated. They live on their own in nature without direct human intervention. These animals find food, shelter, and water in their natural habitat. 

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:

The EVERYWHERE animal series features a ride range of creatures within a particular category including reptiles, bugs, mammals, and birds. 

For instance, BIRDS EVERYWHERE written by Camilla de la Bedoyere and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup is the fourth book in this popular picture book series. This title uses colorful illustrations and blocks of text to highlight key topics connected with birds such as water birds and feeding birds. ARC courtesy of Big Picture Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

The ORCA WILD series for middle grade readers combines color photographs with engaging text to tell the story of a wild animal such as killer whales, birds, grizzly bears and sharks.

 

For instance, WILD HORSES: RUNNING FREE explores the lives of horses in the wild. The book provides an overview of these animals along with specific examples including how young people protect wild horses. Readers learn the history, biology and ecology on wild horses. ARC courtesy of Orca Book Publishers.

The QUIRKY CREATURES series features the strange and sometimes creepy animals found in the natural world. Current titles explore the categories atrocious, ridiculous, and pointless animals.

For instance, THE WORLD’S MOST ATROCIOUS ANIMALS by Philip Bunting uses simple illustrations of bizarre creatures to engage young readers. From scary to shocking, the creatures are humorously presented through basic text, labelled diagrams, and fun facts. ARC courtesy of Happy Yak, an imprint of Quarto Group.

Timely Takeaways: Space Science

From meteorites to aliens, explore a wide range of recently published books focusing on space science, astronomy, and cosmology. These thought-provoking books separate the fact from the fiction.

Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Dong
Greg Brennecka, 2022, William Morrow, Harper Collins
Themes: Science, Space Science, Cosmology

Brennecka’s humorous approach brings the story of meteorites to life through fascinating examples.

Take-aways: Use the author’s stories to enhance the teaching of space science and specifically meteorites.

NASA Missions to Mars: A Visual History of Our Quest to Explore the Red Planet
Piers Bizony, 2022, Motorbooks, Quarto Group   
Themes: Science, Space Science, Space Exploration

This visually-rich reference explores the past, present, and future of Mars exploration.

Take-aways: Use this amazing visual story to enhance the planetary science curriculum. Involve students in speculation about the future exploration of other planets in our solar system.

The Red Planet: A Natural History of Mars
Simon Morden, 2022, Pegasus Books, Simon & Schuster                 
Themes: Science, Space Science

Told in seven parts, readers explore the planetary science, geology, and the history of Mars.

Take-aways: The author’s accessible, conversational writing style make this book a good choice for high school educators seeking a content-area reading experience for teens.

The Cosmos Explained
Charles Liu, 2023, Ivy Press, Quarto Group                   
Themes: Science, Space Science, Astronomy

With an emphasis on our place in space and time, this visually-rich book traces the history of our universe and the evolution of our social system. 

Take-aways: Teachers will find the short biographical sketches of key contributors to be useful.

Before the Big Bang: The Origin of Our Universe from the Multiverse
Laura Mersini-Houghton, 2023, Mariner Books, HarperCollins     
Themes: Space Science, Cosmology

Follow the author’s personal and professional journey re-writing the origin story of our universe.

Take-aways: Students are fascinated by the prospect of a multiverse. Update the curriculum to include the latest information on the universe’s origin.

Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer’s Guide to the Universe
Philip Plait, 2023, W.W. Norton & Company                   
Themes: Science, Space Science, Astronomy

Plait takes readers on an entertaining adventure through the universe. From the moon and Mars to black holes, each chapter explores a different space science topic.

Take-aways: Weave Plait’s humorous, easy to understand examples into the space science curriculum.

Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars
Avi Loeb, 2023, Mariner Books, HarperCollins     
Themes: Science Space Science, Space Exploration

Loeb examines that challenges of encountering alien life and our quest to explore the universe.

Take-aways: Use this book to address student speculation about aliens and interstellar exploration.

The Little Book of Aliens
Adam Frank, 2023, Harper, HarperCollins                                       
Themes: Science, Space Science

Through eight engaging chapters, readers learn the fact and fiction of alien life. Trace the history of the big ideas, scientific exploration and research, and near-future issues.

Take-aways: Students often have questions about the possibility of alien life. Use examples from this easy-to-understand book to lead thought-provoking discussions about this hot topic.

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Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb