The iguanodon's Horn by Sean Rubin**

 Mr. Rubin put a lot of thought and research into creating this book (even his explanation of his art and typeset in the fine print is humorous. The typeface reflects the subject matter-one used for scientific publications in the paleotology beginnings). His art and page layouts are engaging and carry significance.

Before the title page, Mr. Rubin is capturing the reader's attention. Mr. Rubin explains how the understanding of science and dinosours has transformed over time by following what different artists and scientists thought the iguanodon looked like.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Caroline's Comets by Emily Arnold McCully*

 The endpages of this book are simple yet stunning.

Ms. McCully utilizes excerpts from Caroline Herschel's diary to accurately portray this fiesty woman. Childhood illnesses stunted her growth and caused her face to be scarred. Her mother limited her to domestic work (basically the family's maid). Yet her brother William offers her an escape-to be a trained musician and THEN an astronomer! Caroline is the first woman to receive a salary for scientific research.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Radar and the Raft by Jeff Lantos*

 World magazine listed this book as an honorable mention in children's nonfiction for their "books of the year". 

What an incredible book. Mr. Lantos must be very intelligent man and a tenacious researcher and writer.

In alternating chapters, Mr. Lantos gives the history of radar, starting with Luigi Galvani in the 1700s, and then the story of missionary Mrs. Bell and her two children surviving on a raft after their ship had been torpedoed in 1942. Children who are fascinated by how things work will be enthralled as they read the "scientific" chapters. I was a bit out of my element reading them!! 

An inspiring story how people's ingenuity and hard work affects generations to come. 

Mr. Lantos treats Mrs. Bell's faith with respect. As a Christian, I felt like he presented her in a favorable manner.

Considerations/Discuss: some swearing (sailors), evolution given credit to shark's built-in signal detector, peril at sea/on the raft/selfishness

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

One Long Line: Marching Catepillars and the Scientists Who Followed Them by Loree Griffin Burns illustrated by Jamie Green*

 World magazine selected this book as one of its honorable mentions for its 2024 Books of the Year for children's nonfiction.

Two scientists, who lived in different centuries, studied pine prcessionary caterpillars. Readers witness how scientists process information and persist in their studies. Also, readers will conclude that curiosity is a valuable trait and a driving force behind achievement. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage**

 World magazine selected this picture book as the best one of the year. The illustrations are stunning and captivating. I especially loved the cross-sections. Look carefully at all of the illustrations as you will see the different personalities shining forth.

Dr. Morley loves jellyfish and longs to see the Giant Arctic Jellyfish. She and her team of scientists spend months searching for this elusive creature. After reading this book, readers will understand how tenacious and brave scientists are. They will also marvel at the unique creatures which reside in the Arctic Ocean.

**Highly, highly recommend. A book to own! I hope this author/illustrator creates more picture books. On Nov. 7, 2024 in the UK, she will be publishing her book, The Search for Carmella, about a different sea creature!

-Borrowed from the library.

A short video with Ms. Savage talking about her book-https://www.readingzone.com/authors/chloe-savage/

Armstrong by Torben Kuhlmann*

The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon
Sarah Mackenzie recommended this book on her podcast when she featured moon books to celebrate 50 years since the moon landing.
I read this story aloud to my twelve year old and nine year old.  We all enjoyed it!
Armstrong, a mouse, is fascinated by the moon.  With  a telescope he observes it and comes to some conclusions.    The other mice ignore him and cling to their belief that the moon is made of cheese!  Then an opportunity arises, and Armstrong pursues it with tenacity.
We were able to make some predictions as we read.
The illustrations are stunning!  I liked viewing illustrations as much as reading the story.  Every other page displays a two page spread of an illustration.
Mr.  Kuhlmann has written/illustrated two more books about mice based on famous men (Edison and Lindbergh).  I have requested them from the library and will review them soon.
*Highly recommend.

Galileo and the Stargazers Created and told by Jim Weiss*

Audio CD
Jim Weiss does such a wonderful job presenting history in an interesting manner.  He also includes tiny tidbits that regular history sources may not share.  These tidbits reinforce that these individuals were regular people without immunity from life's hardship and mundane routines.
Archimedes, Tycho, Copernicus and Newton were included in these presentations.
*Highly recommend
-Borrowed from the library.

Galileo On the Shoulders of Giants DVD*

A wonderful dramatization of the life of Galileo.
We enjoyed Galileo's quick wit.
Running time: 95 minutes
Rated G.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Snow Crystals by W. A. Bentley and W. J. Humphreys*

I love the picture book Snowflake Bentley.  
After reading it aloud to my sons (for the umpteenth time!!), I shared this book with them.  It contains about two hundred plates of photos he took of snowflakes and frost.  The photographs are beautiful and remind one of God's careful design in even the tiniest of objects!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Newton's Rainbow by Kathryn Lasky illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Ms. Lasky shares interesting information about Newton's childhood, his years of education and his ongoing love to learn, to ask questions, and to experiment.  By reading this book, I learned there was more to Newton than "discovering" gravity!
Ms. Lasky also inserts fact boxes about Galileo and Kepler, scientists whom Newton admired and studied.
-Borrowed from the library.
A must reader for lovers'  of science, philosophy and mathematics.

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea by Robert Burleigh illustrated by Raul Colon*

Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor
As a child Marie Tharp traveled around the United States with her father as he mapped fields for farmers.  As a college student, she pursued science even though not many women were scientists in the 1940's.  Despite unfair treatment from men at her job, Marie persevered and proved that she was as competent as any man.  She eventually mapped the ocean floors, beginning with the Atlantic Ocean.  Her work allowed her to realize that there was a rift running along the Atlantic Ocean floor, confirming the theory of the continental drift.
Told in first person.
Mr. Burleigh provides more information about Marie Tharp in the back plus includes a glossary and thought-provoking questions to stimulate more learning about maps.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Pair with The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins.

High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs by Lisa Kahn Schnell illustrated by Alan Marks*

This book focuses on how horseshoe crabs lay their eggs on the shores of Delaware Bay and how their presence provides migrating shorebirds much needed food and scientists opportunities to study these creatures.
Dual level text -larger text could be read to younger children while the smaller font offers more details about the horseshoe crab.
*Highly recommend.
Ms. Schnell is a local author!
The author offers information in the back.
Text features: font size/bold, end pages have a diagram of the horseshoe crab, map, further investigation
Points to discuss: old earth view
Strategy: main idea/details

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm*

"Believe in the impossible possible"
What a fun book!!
Sixth grader Ellie has enough adjustments but when her grandfather shows up as a teenager!!, her life takes paths she never imagined!  Her grandfather has two PhD and has discovered a way to reverse aging.  Through lots of discussions about various scientists (Curie, Falk, Oppenheimer, Newton, Pastuer), cooking from her deceased grandmother's recipe box and discovering new friends, Ellie learns a lot about the precious gift of life and using it wisely/for the good.
I love how Ms. Holm takes many different topics -science, becoming of age, the tumultuous adolescence stage, family members quirks-and weaves them into a superb story that causes one to think.  To achieve all of "that", now that is talent!!
*Highly recommend.

Stories of Famous Americans Albert Einstein Genius of the Twentieth Century by Patricia Lakin illustrated by Alan and Lea Daniel

"Ready to Read" Level 3 (reading proficiently)
In six chapters a reader learns about Mr. Einstein's life from infant to an elderly person.  Comprehensive-includes his struggles, accomplishments and quirkiness.
The author does a great job explaining his accomplishments/theories in a manner children can grasp it (Grades 4th and up).
Text features: time line, glossary
More biographies in "Stories of Famous American" series

Guys Read True Stories Edited by Jon Scieszka

A diverse collection of true short stories.
A taste of everything -
* a survival story by Steven Sheinkin
* historical comic by Nathan Hale
*scientists searching for spiders by Sy Montgomery
*outdoor canoeing adventures by T. Edward Nickens (editor for Field and Stream)
*science poetry by Douglas Florian
*a story about an elephant and the origin of the word "jumbo" by Candace Fleming
and many more!
Well written-good mentor text for writing short stories
High interest stories!

Points to discuss/warning: swearing (pg. 46 in Tarantula Heaven)-"This sounds like hell!"; in the same story or another story, a swear word is inferred by the typical symbols "*&#%"; in Uni-verses the Big Bang Theory poem is used to share how the world began; in Mojo, Moonshine and the Blues the main character Muddy Waters makes illegal alcohol and has children with a couple of wives and many girlfriends.

Giant Squid by Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde F. E. Roper*

This book shares information about the mysterious giant squid and also relates about Clyde Roper's investigations of the giant squid.
Full of facts and incredible photographs.  My boys and I learned a lot just when we took a picture walk before we read it thoroughly.
I really like how the book reveals how scientists ask questions, investigate and experiment with ideas.
*Highly recommend.
Text features: contents, photographs, labels, picture captions, headings, subheadings, diagrams,
Strategies: synthesize,  determining importance-main idea, asking questions