Arboretum (Welcome to the Museum)

Arboretum (Welcome to the Museum)
by Tony Kirkham (Author) and Katie Scott (Illustrator)
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Booktalk: This middle grade book celebrates trees from around the world and sheds light on the vital role they play in maintaining a healthy, thriving planet. Learn about everything from trees associated with ancient mythology to the rarest and most unusual specimens.

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go!

Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go!
by Deborah Lee Rose (Author)
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Booktalk: Just in time for World Penguin Day on April 25, a new picture book where readers will discover how Emperor penguins, birds that “never, ever fly”, have amazing adaptations to waddle, sled, huddle, dive, swim, leap, and snuggle their chicks to survive in the frozen world of Antarctica.

Snippet: Diving and watching underwater videos helped scientists discover that penguins use air bubbles around their bodies to speed up and out of the ocean, back onto the sea ice.

BONUS! Use the Support Materials (videos and activity guide downloads) at Reading Is Fundamental.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

The Lost Forest

The Lost Forest: An Unexpected Discovery beneath the Waves
by Jennifer Swanson (Author)
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Booktalk: After local fishers noticed a large swarm of fish in an unlikely area in the Gulf of Mexico, a team of divers found the remains of a forest deep beneath the waves. The ancient trees had been undisturbed for more than fifty thousand years before finally being uncovered by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Follow a group of scientists as they work to explore and map the site, collect samples of cypress wood, and learn about the marine creatures that live here–namely, shipworms. Page Plus links lead to videos of the scientists at work.

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

The author, Jennifer Swanson, is one of my former students.
Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

Be a Nature Explorer!

Be a Nature Explorer!: Outdoor Activities and Adventures
by Peter Wohlleben (Author), Belle Wuthrich (Illustrator), Jane Billinghurst (Translator)
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Booktalk: This paperback book for kids ages 6 to 10 has 52 short, hands-on activities to help kids explore and discover the outdoors–one for each week of the year.

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

Climate Emergency

Climate Emergency: How You Can Make a Difference
by Cynthia O’Brien (Author)
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Booktalk: Our planet is in trouble. Climate change is resulting in rising sea levels, habitat loss, extreme weather, and many other issues. Fighting this climate change has become an urgent priority. All around the world, young people are leading the fight against climate change, challenging governments, spreading awareness, and taking action to help. Could you be one of them? Read this book to find out how to be a climate activist.

Snippet: Millions of young people around the world are already making a difference in the fight against climate change. Youth-led organizations, such as Earth Uprising, Fridays for the Future, and This is Zero Hour, empower young people to challenge leaders, spread awareness, and be involved in decision making.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

Pretty Tricky

Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Ways Plants Survive
by Etta Kaner (Author) and Ashley Barron (Illustrator)
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Booktalk: Discover the tricky techniques some plants use to defend themselves, reproduce, or acquire food. From the copycat Boquila vine that changes shape to match its host plant, to the pungent carrion flower that lures pollinating flies with the scent of rotten meat, plants across the globe have adapted to survive all kinds of threatening fauna.

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

Fiona the Fruit Bat

Fiona the Fruit Bat
by Dan Riskin (Author) and Rachel Qiuqi (Illustrator)
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Booktalk: It’s time for Fiona the fruit bat to take her very first flight, but she’s scared. How will she fly when she can’t see in the dark? Mama just says, “listen.” But how will listening help her to see? Then she hears a mysterious sound from deep in her cave. To find out what’s making that noise–and to finally fly–Fiona will have to unlock a secret hidden inside herself.

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)

A Coalition of Cheetahs

A Coalition of Cheetahs (Safari Animal Families)
by Kelley Barth (Author)
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Booktalk: This picture book introduces readers to cheetahs and their family groups. Find out where they live and how they work together, and learn why they are called a coalition. Are you faster than a cheetah? Try the activity in the back of the book and find out!

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Copyright © 2024 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved. (*bookstore affiliate)