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This science picture book has a simple, rhyming text as well as short paragraphs of dense information; read the brief text first, then go back and learn more about alpacas. The author talks about how these animals are raised in two different regions — the Peruvian mountains of their native South America and on alpaca farms in the United States — and details about both locales are paired side by side throughout the book. The illustrations are colorful and happy, and just as appealing as the subject matter. Additional notes at the end of the book make it a sound informative offering, and a glossary is included. Science; Alpacas; Domesticated Animals; South America |
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As the sun sets, a group of wild animals create sounds that echo those of musical instruments, resulting in a breathtaking starlight symphony. Rhyming text and full-color photos help kids to connect each creature's sounds to a particular orchestra instrument. For example, a wood thrush's song is compared to a flute, a cricket to a cello, and a woodpecker to a snare drum. "Meet the Musicians" and "Meet the Musical Instruments" sections provide more information and photographs. The idea of comparing the natural world to a musical composition is beautifully expressed and worth exploring. Share this book and consider accessing animal sounds played from a computer/smart phone/tablet to further make the connection. Science; Animal Sounds; Instrument Sounds; Music |
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This is the true story of Walnut, a white-naped crane native to regions in Mongolia, China, and Russia. Since her parents had lived in the wild, she was to be used to strengthen the too-closely-related breeding population of this dwindling species. Unfortunately, Walnut had been raised by humans and had strongly imprinted upon people. The science-based story discusses imprinting and how strong it is in certain bird species. Walnut had a dedicated keeper who helped figure out how Walnut, who did not like other cranes, could finally produce viable eggs and subsequent chicks. The warm-hued illustrations help bring events to life and additional information is included at the end of the book. Science; Animals; Birds; Endangered Species; Animal Imprinting; Zookeepers |
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For thousands of years, people living close to the rainforest in parts of Mexico and Central America had been harvesting latex from trees, mixing it with vine juice, and boiling it to create rubber, which was used to make bouncy balls for games among many other things. This was news to 16th-century Europeans, who had been making do with items such as animal bladders stuffed with dried peas for balls. So begins this interesting, amusingly illustrated history of this amazing substance, its many uses, and the thinkers who helped refine it. Explanations of the science behind why rubber behaves as it does are sprinkled throughout. Ages 7 - 10 Science; Inventions; Rubber; Chemistry; World History |
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Science books that explain complex topics and invite readers to think about events and ideas are great finds! Utilizing an informative and engaging graphic novel format, Don Brown is a master at pulling off this feat. Narrated by Jagadish Chandra Bose, a radio technology pioneer born in Bengal, India (now Bangladesh) in 1858, this volume covers electrical power — highlighting important scientific discoveries through the centuries, introducing and explaining basic concepts, and outlining how we got to where we are today. The information is presented clearly, often with a humorous touch. A timeline, author’s notes, and index are included. Check out other volumes in Brown's "Big Ideas that Changed the World" series. Science; Electricity; Inventions; History; Scientific Discoveries that Build on the Work of Others; Nonfiction Graphic Novels |
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The scene is set in 1854 London, as a child named Annie Lewis gets water from the Broad Street pump. Sadly, someone in her crowded household becomes ill and dies and the sickness spreads. Everyone thinks cholera is caused by the "bad, smelly air" that pervades the neighborhood. Enter Dr. Snow, a medical doctor turned detective who works hard to examine details, gather evidence, draw maps, and make conclusions in time to convince the community to take a life-saving course of action. This fascinating and suspenseful true story is a landmark in medical investigation. Ages 6 - 9 Investigations; Using Data to Solve a Mystery; History of Medicine; Diseases; Biography |
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Beulah had a unique way of seeing the world: her hyperphantasia meant she envisioned things in extreme detail, and her synesthesia made words, music, and numbers show up as colors in her brain. She could see things in her mind’s eye but had trouble drawing what she saw. As an adult, her solution was to hire draftsmen, mechanics, and model makers. By the end of her life, she held 49 patents. Was she encouraged to succeed? No! Women in the early 20th century were expected to stay home. Beulah didn’t give up and established her own business to produce her inventions. Colorful illustrations help readers see into Beulah's world. Inventors; Perseverance; Creativity; Unique Processing Skills; Women's History; Biography |
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Spending summers in the gardens of Suzhou, China with his grandfather as a boy, Ioeh Ming Pei was impressed by the amazing volcanic rock sculptures he saw (these boulders were shaped by rock farmers who chiseled holes in volcanic rock, "planted" them in streams, and waited for the fast-moving water to smooth the edges over the course of many years). This vivid moment provides an entry into the life of an architect who strove to create wonders for future generations to enjoy. Elegant text and clean-lined illustration describe Pei's life and work, as he designed skyscrapers and other wonders that stand as an "ode to the past and a tribute to the future." Ages 5 - 9 Architects; Chinese Americans; Creativity; Biography |
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When Shark Girl, part human and part shark, is captured in a bottom trawler fishing net (which wastefully scoops up many fish that will never be eaten), she vows to take revenge on the ship's evil captain. After a visit to the sea witch, she takes human form and joins the ship's crew with a plan to incite a mutiny. Though Captain Barrett proves to be truly wicket (and gets his just desserts), Shark Girl learns a lot about human kindness. Written and illustrated with sharp wit and comical details, this tale provides much to discuss. Compare and contrast this story with any version of The Little Mermaid. Ages 4 - 8 Shark Stories; Mermaid Stories; Revenge; Courageous Protagonists; Anthropomorphized Characters |
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Once upon a time, a very small unicorn lived with his family in a palace where everything seemed much, much too big (his regular-size brother and sister even use him as a chess piece!). Feeling a bit put out, he ventures into the garden where he meets an even tinier gnome, who points out that the small unicorn has in fact squashed her car with his (to the gnome) giant-size hoof. With the help of the unicorn's siblings, all is made right, as lessons are learned about the importance of family (even when they tease you), how viewpoints can be different, and how "we are all just the right size." Bright-hued illustrations add to the fun. Look for the sequel, The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn's Great Big Wish. Ages 4 - 8 Unicorns; Siblings; Identity; Point of View |
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As the morning sky grows lighter, a bee meanders from flower to hive, inquiring: "Good golden sun, are you lonely in the sky? Don't you wish you had a friend or two to be there by your side?" As different animals ask questions of the sun, kids can look closely at their interactions depicted in the illustration. The lyrical text points out the important role the sun plays in the natural world, while also musing about its mysteries. As evening falls, a child bids the star good night, as "your last light leaves the room and you pass on all our questions to the moon." Illustrated with lovely collage artwork, this book can be used to inspire curiosity about nature and its cycles, and how living (and non-living) things fit together. Use it as a creative writing prompt and pen your own odes to nature! Ages 4 - 8 Animals; Nature; Poetry; Creative Writing |
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This wordless picture book invites kids to look closely at the illustrations, parse out visual details, and tell the story in their own words. In a world where seas are rising, a giant-size construction robot (with an NOA emblazoned on its arm and a dove on its chest plate) finds a new purpose in caring for the animals in an abandoned, soon-to-be sunk zoo. As more rain threatens, the robot designs and constructs a ship out of various ruined pieces, carefully loading the animals onboard and sailing for safety. When a storm leaves the boat wrecked, everything looks bleak, until help comes from an unexpected friend. There is much to think about and discuss, from themes of caring for our world and others, to ideas of innovation born of necessity, to echos of the story of Noah's Ark. Look for other detail-packed, thought-provoking wordless stories from this author/illustrator. Ages 5 - 9 Stories Without Words; Robots; Zoos; Nature; Innovation; Compassion |
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In this appealing picture book two children build a time machine from a cardboard box and set their destination for the future — the moment just after the cookies they have made with Grandpa are finished baking. However, things go wrong, and the children end up going back and forth in time, never arriving at their desired destination. A repeated phrase, “At least, that was the plan,” humorously acknowledges the problems they encounter. Presented with a graphic novel flair, the colorful artwork adds details and energy to the story. Time travel is an abstract idea that is fun to explore — older kids, and adults, will love the surprise ending. Time Travel; Cookies; Grandparents; Patience |
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Pikes Peak Library District
P.O. Box 1579, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901
(719) 531-6333https://ppld.org/ |
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