A Bee or Not a Bee (Early Science Books)

Written by Audrey Sauble

A wonderful nonfiction picture book that encourages elementary age school children to become young scientists.

The illustrations are colorful and fun but the biggest value of the book is the amount of information crammed into its short length. Readers not only learn about the types, habitats, and daily lives of bees but they are contrasted with many different types of insects. Children will learn about the likenesses and differences as well as learning about both bees and insects.

The author includes the scientific names for each and provides an interactive activity for matching pictures with information. They are also given a bee survey chart that they might complete by exploring bees in their own neighborhood.

A wonderful resource for parents and teachers to place in their home or school libraries.

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Barnabee Believes (in Himself)

Written and Illustrated by Cazzy Zahursky

Another well-done book in the Barnabee series.

Barnabee loves to spell. He is thrilled when he learns his teacher has selected him to be in the spelling bee. He practices with Buster, another classmate.

Barnabee does not understand why every time he gets a word at practice, he freezes and cannot spell. Buster makes fun of him. Can Barnabee find the courage to be brave and perform when the big day arrives?

I enjoyed the clever puns, alliteration and on-spot analogies that add humor and make reading the story aloud fun. Not to mention children learn how to handle anxiety and cope with competition by turning it into friendship.

Recommended for elementary age readers.

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Team Supercrew Emotions and Powers (4 Box Set)

Written by Julie Anne Penn and Darren Penn

Illustrated by Sergio De Giorgi

This multicultural picture book assists elementary school readers to discover positive ways to discover and understand their emotions.

In the first book, the author introduces Sarah, who is about to attend her first day of school. Sarah is talking to her favorite superhero Benny who assures her fears are unfounded. He points out the positive situations and new experiences that could lie ahead in school.

Sarah understands the power behind, “What if?”. As a brave member of team supercrew, she has the power to be brave and unafraid.

I like the addition of an exercise for readers about how to build their own superpower skills. Look forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Math Dragon: fun fast-paced beginning chapter book series for kids 8-11 (Junkyard Adventures 10)

Written by Tevin Hansen

Book 10 in the Junkyard Adventures pits two angry dragons against each other.

When Eli and Grace arrive at Larry’s secondhand store, they cannot find Uncle Larry. Instead they discover Professor Harvard who is temporarily watching the store. Despite Larry’s absence, a new fantasy adventure involving a war between two diverse dragons, the Word Dragon and the Math Dragon erupts and the children find themselves in the middle of it. Must the siblings choose a side? Can they restore order and find a way back to the present to escape the turmoil?

Non-stop adventure and colorful characters continue to enthrall chapter book readers from ages eight up. A fascinating independent read or classroom read aloud.

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Cowgirl Lessons: Cowgirl Lessons Adventures

Written by Rae Rankin

Illustrated by J-San

A sweet, rhyming picture book that features a young girl who loves to ride. It begins by showing her to be fairly typical and part of a loving family. Her mom helps her find her gear, her dad spends the day driving her to her lesson and waiting patiently for her while proudly watching her progress.

This is the first book in a series that is sure to be popular with every young girl who has dreamed of riding a horse. Children learn that riding a horse is not only a skill but that involves a lot of hard work and animal care.

Highly recommended for readers up to age ten.

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The World is Our Playground Series Book 3: Nanak and Tara’s Philippine Adventure

Written by Jamal Kaur Singh

Illustrated by Ronald Santos

This is my first time reading a book in this series which encourages elementary students to learn about the history, customs, beliefs, traditions, and languages of countries around the world.

The picture book is richly illustrated in vibrant colors and the bold font of the text makes it easy to read. I particularly enjoyed the mini language lessons which encourage readers to communicate in an unfamiliar language while enjoying the adventure. Readers explore the islands while experiencing its history, foods, celebrations, and family ties.

There are questions at the end included to test comprehension of the story. The author presents a lesson plan before the story begins. Background about the series and its characters as well as a summary of the author’s mission comes at the very end.

The book is packed with useful information that children will enjoy. I would suggest putting that background at the beginning to familiarize new readers upfront and then including the lesson plan toward the end.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers to teach about other cultures in an entertaining format.

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The Adventures of Nonna and the Little Red Truck in Summertime

Written by Kathy Brandon

Illustrated by Jennifer Kasitz

There is so much learning packed within this little book. Recommended especially for preschoolers but a joy for any child to read.

It features onomatopoeia sounds for read aloud fun, teachers the days of the week, and helps children learn their colors. The book is highly interactive. An included learning guide asks readers to answer questions by rereading and searching for content. It also contains many follow-up activities as an extension of learning.

The narrator is a little boy who looks forward to spending one week each summer at his grandparents’ farm with their dog and red truck. It features warm family relationships and teaches wholesome values.

This picture book might be read to a younger child or be a fun read aloud for a beginning reader.

Highly recommended.

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The Wondercurrent: (Rella Pen Sword and The Red Notebooks Book 1)

Written by J.R. Parks

Rella’s parents belong to a secret group of storytellers. First, her mother disappears, eventually her father suffers the same fate. Rella must now flee her homeland. She finds herself in the land of Hleo, where she joins up with four other children. They encounter shapeshifters and mysterious animal guardians. Rella must find a way to defeat the plague ravishing the land and retrieve the red notebooks. Fans of Harry Potter will enjoy this adventure.

Some reviewers discuss errors in the manuscript but many of these appear to have been corrected in this rendition. The characters are interesting and the action fast-paced in the 300 page adventure.

I think younger middle-grade readers might find the read a bit difficult and would classify it more as a young adult read. A good discussion book for issues like friendship, inclusion, facing fears and cultivating humility.

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When Will Cicada Sing? (Little Fingers, Big Science)

Written by Carla Mae Jansen

This is a cute, informative picture book for preschoolers and primary grade readers. The author describes the seventeen year life cycle of the cicada. Children learn the long and complicated process of development. At the end of the book, readers are treated to a detailed diagram of the life cycle of the cicada and an illustrated explanation of how cicadas sing.

A valuable edition to a parent’s nonfiction bookshelf or a classroom science library.

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Sea Serpent of Science: a fun and fast-paced chapter book series for kids 8-11 (Junkyard Adventures Book 2)

Written by Tevi Hansen

Siblings Eli and Grace find themselves back at Uncle Larry’s antique store shopping with their dad for a second-hand ladder. This is another book of the Junkyard Adventure series which opens up the door to adventure and learning for beginning chapter book readers.

In this adventure, readers are treated to an adventure with a sea serpent who is a marine biologist who guides them on a scavenger hunt. Finds include rare jellyfish, underground caves, pufferfish, and some pretty creepy specimens of marine life. All is not smooth sailing because a sixty foot shark attempts to block their way.

Eli and Grace are determined to finish their quest. Readers learn marine science while being immersed in an undersea adventure. Recommended particularly for ages seven through eleven.

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