Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table

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Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table
by Isabel Thomas (Author) and Sara Gillingham (Artist)

Booktalk: Each of the 118 elements is visually presented with its respective letter symbol and atomic number, as well as a map of where it’s located in the periodic table. Additional details show where each element is found in the universe (from food on our plates to the center of a star), its unique properties, atomic diagram, secret chemistry, and working examples of how its’s used or changing the world.

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

Copyright © 2021 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

The Nest That Wren Built

At Growing With Science blog today we are featuring The Nest That Wren Built by Randi Sonenshine and illustrated Anne Hunter. It has appeared on more than one “Best of 2020” list.

This gently rhyming book about Carolina wrens building a nest follows the style of “The House That Jack Built.”

This is the bark, snippets of twine,
spidery rootlets, and needles of pine
that shape the nest that Wren built.

The text goes into detail about how the wrens gather materials to make the nest. Some of the ingredients are expected, like soft moss for a lining the inside. Others are very surprising, like draping a snakeskin on the outside (to ward off predators). After the nest is built, the story follows the eggs and baby birds through development.

Anne Hunter’s illustrations are a fascinating combination of whimsical and realistic. Young readers will have fun looking for little things hidden in each page.

The back matter includes a glossary and additional interesting facts about wrens.

The Nest That Wren Built will enchant nature lovers, especially budding ornithologists. Surprise yourself with a copy today.

Cindy and Lynn reviewed The Nest That Wren Built earlier at Nonfiction Monday.

Visit Growing with Science for more information and related STEM activity suggestions.

Copyright © 2021 Roberta Gibson All Rights Reserved.

I Like the Outdoors … What Jobs are There?

I Like the Outdoors … What Jobs are There?
by Carron Brown (Author) and Roberto Blefari (Illustrator)

Booktalk: From being a park ranger, to a paleontologist, to a construction site manager, to a landscape gardener, this book takes readers through a day in the life of 25 outdoor workers.

Snippet:

See the book trailer.

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

Copyright © 2021 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Comparisons Big and Small

Comparisons Big and Small
by Clive Gifford (Author) and Ana Seixas (Illustrator)

Booktalk: From which animal is the fastest to which machine is the biggest, this book of visual comparisons familiarizes young children with figures and measurements without using long numbers or complicated concepts.

Snippet:



See the book trailer.

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

Copyright © 2020 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Girls Garage

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Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See
by Emily Pilloton (Author) and Kate Bingaman-Burt (Artist)

Booktalk: With a background in architecture and construction, Emily Pilloton started the nonprofit Girls Garage to give girls the tools to build the world they want to see. Since 2013, girls ages 9-18 have come to Girls Garage’s workshop eager to use power tools and build real-world projects for their community. Now you can do it, too — wherever you live.

Snippet:

Listen to the author talk about why she wrote the book.

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

Copyright © 2020 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls

We’re going to the birds today at STEM Friday.

Over at Growing with Science blog we have the super picture book, Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls by by Annette Whipple.

 

What do you notice when you see the owl on the cover? Maybe the huge eyes? What do you think of? The sound they make? Have you ever seen an owl in real life?

The book starts out with these observations and a stirring question:

“You recognize an owl when you hear or see one, but do you really know these birds?”

From there, each double-page spread features gorgeous color photographs with text in a question and answer format. You will find out what owl’s eat, how they hunt, whether they sleep during the day, where they live, and what’s up with owl pellets. My favorite questions was whether owls can spin their heads around. Do you know the answer?

The formatting is engaging, with eye-catching design elements and fun dialogue bubbles with cool facts. Great for visual learners.

The back matter will thrill educators. There’s a section about how to help owls, an explanation of owl anatomy, an owl pellet dissection discussion, and a glossary.

Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls is nonfiction at its best. It will obviously appeal to young birdwatchers and nature lovers, but also to anyone interested in the world around them. Reading it will make you wiser <wink>.

For related activity suggestions, visit Growing with Science.


Copyright © 2020 Roberta Gibson All Rights Reserved.

The Twelve Birdies of Christmas

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The Twelve Birdies of Christmas
by Jennifer Sattler (Author / Illustrator)

Booktalk: From beret-wearing French hens to calling birds using their cell phones to scuba-diving swans, this visual reimagining of the traditional holiday song is hilariously brought to life as 12 birdies count their way through the 12 days. Christmas math for toddlers!

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

Copyright © 2020 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021

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National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021, U.S. Edition
by National Geographic Kids (Author)

Booktalk: The 2021 almanac features brand-new amazing animal stories, explorer profiles, and outrageous attractions that kids know and love, plus more of the incredible inventions, awesome games, and fresh challenges for curious kids who want to learn all about the world and everything that’s in it!

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

Copyright © 2020 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter

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Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter
by Laura Purdie Salas (Author) and Claudine Gévry (Illustrator)

Booktalk: There is more than one way for animals to prepare for winter. Some, such as mice, foxes, and moose, simply tolerate the cold. Of course black bears hibernate, but chipmunks, wood frogs, and garter snakes do too. And then there are the creatures that migrate, including hummingbirds, blue whales, and even earthworms!

Snippet:

See the book trailer.

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

Copyright © 2020 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.