Growing With Science Blog

Page 119 of 561

Bug of the Week: Another Children’s Book About Bugs

December 2, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Remember the dung beetles from Bug of Week a few weeks ago? As luck would have it, another children’s book featuring dung beetles just came across my desk (nominated for the 2015 Cybils award in the Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction category.)

Would You Rather…Dine with a Dung Beetle or Lunch with a Maggot?: Pick your answer and learn about bugs!by Camilla de la Bedoyere and illustrated by Mel Howells is a cute picture book that uses a question-and-answer format with a twist.

The text consists of two-page spreads that ask a number of related questions about bugs and their relatives, like the “would you rather dine with a dung beetle or lunch with a maggot?” on the cover. Turning the page, the reader finds answers to the questions, plus many cool facts.

The cartoon illustrations add to the fun. Many show a child interacting with the insect or other creatures, which draws the reader in.

Parents be aware:  This book crosses into the “ewww, gross” territory that is so popular with children of a certain age (and sometimes so unpopular with their parents).

Would You Rather…Dine with a Dung Beetle or Lunch with a Maggot? is both entertaining and educational. Pick up a copy and have some fun with it today!

Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Publisher: QEB Publishing (August 3, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1609928148
ISBN-13: 978-1609928148

 

Disclosure:  The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title or image link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Plant Science Intermission: Seeing Seeds Book

December 1, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Rather than having a lesson today, I thought we’d have a short intermission and take a look at a book (written at the adult level) about seeds that came out recently . Seeing Seeds: A Journey into the World of Seedheads, Pods, and Fruit by Teri Dunn Chace and Robert Llewellyn could be used as a coffee table book due to the superb illustrations, but the informative text makes it something much more.

The first thing you will notice about this book are the illustrations. Robert Llewellyn uses a relatively new technique called “image stacking,” which involves take multiple images at different levels and then melding them together using computer software to create a crisply-focused, almost three dimensional image. When you first pick up the book, you will be mesmerized by these images, which grace every page (Timber Press shows previews on its website.)

What is even more thrilling about this book, however, was the quality botanical information. For example, the spread on spider flower reveals that what look like seed pods are actually called “siliques.” Because members of the Brassicaceae have similar structures, the plants were originally assigned to that family. Looking a DNA, however, botanists have now moved these plants to their own family, the Cleomaceae. Fascinating!

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know we’ve been featuring mystery seeds and Seed of the Week for several years. Seeing Seeds is a wonderful resource to expand and continue studies on seeds and seed pods.

Have you seen this book? What did you think?

Hardcover: 284 pages
Publisher: Timber Press (August 26, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1604694920
ISBN-13: 978-1604694925

Disclosure: This book is my own copy. I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title or image link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

3 New Children’s Books About Water

November 27, 2015 / / 1 Comment

Today we have three wonderful new children’s books about water science and the water cycle. All three have been nominated for the 2015 Cybils award in the Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction category.

First up we have a picture book for the youngest reader, Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre, which explores the science of raindrops in a uniquely beautiful way.

Raindrops Roll features April Pulley Sayre’s fabulous and fresh photographs of wet plants and critters, accompanied by verb-rich, poetic text that captures the very essence of rain.

In the main text, the reader learns that raindrops reflect, magnify and cling. In the two-page spread in the backmatter, the reader can explore “A Splash of Science” to understand more about what they see.

Young children will want to come back to Raindrops Roll again and again. Have a copy handy to read the next time you are trapped inside on a rainy day!

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Beach Lane Books; 1 edition (January 6, 2015)
ISBN-10: 148142064X
ISBN-13: 978-1481420648

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin explores the water cycle in way that is relatable for children.

Written for a bit older reader than the previous book, Miranda Paul’s spare but engaging story arc goes from familiar (getting a glass of water) to less familiar (forms of water/weather) and then returns to drinking water again (familiar).

Award-winning author and illustrator Jason Chin’s paintings of children doing everyday activities help bring the young reader in, as well.

As with the above book, there is a two page spread in the backmatter that helps children learn “More About Water.” In this case, the pages explain the vocabulary of the water cycle, from evaporation to seepage.

Pick up a copy of Water is Water to share with children ready to learn the basics of the water cycle. Perfect for young readers who prefer their nonfiction to look and sound like fiction.

Related:  See our water cycle blog post for activity suggestions and information.

Age Range: 6 – 10 years
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (May 26, 2015)
ISBN-10: 159643984X
ISBN-13: 978-1596439849

Water Runs Through This Book by Nancy Bo Flood takes the study of water to the next level for middle grade readers.

WaterRuns

Mixing stories, poems, quotations, and informational text, author Flood explores all aspects of water and its impact on our world. The topics are wide ranging, from the chemistry of water molecules to the geopolitics of water conservation. It reads somewhat like a folder of fascinating tidbits about water put together into a coherent collage.

The illustrations are color photographs by Jan Sonnenmair, supplemented with stock photographs and some diagrams.

Water Runs Through This Book would be a useful reference text to have on hand for a wide range of topics. It also would work well for young adults and even adults, as well as middle grades.

Related:  Check Nancy Bo Flood’s website for a free 20-page activity guide to download (the link is currently in the right column under the heading “downloads.”)

Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (August 25, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1936218135
ISBN-13: 978-1936218134

See our growing list of children’s books about the science of water and the water cycle.

Children's-Books-About-Water

Disclosure: Water Runs Through This Books was provided by the publisher for review. The other books were from the library. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2026 Growing With Science Blog

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑