Written by Jessica Fries-Gaither
Illustrated by Linda Olliver
Published by National Science Teachers Association Kids
Mom's Review
Wild Wonderings: Scientists and their Questions
In rhythmic, rhyming lines that you start to chant as you read aloud, Fries-Gaither explains the scientific method to young readers. The cool part is that she does it though different scientists' inquiries throughout the course of recorded history. Women and men whose discoveries changed the world are introduced and depicted as relatable by Olliver. Asking questions and making discoveries is not out of reach is the underlying message to young readers. The text emphasizes asking questions and then trying to answer them, setting forth an array of role models and providing space in the book for children to work through their own inquiries.
Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings
In a similar vein to Wild Wonderings, this installment explains the use and importance of scientific notebooks. This is particularly relevant in today's device-saturated world. Writing, drawing, calculating in a physical notebook not only allows one to keep everything close at hand and record observations, thoughts, and experiments, but offers a place to refine theories where one can refer back to previous ideas and results. The flexibility of a notebook has served diverse scientists throughout history who are each featured on a two-page spread. And that is where this book really shines: each scientist's notebook use is the focus. And each scientist is different. Working out one's thoughts and discoveries on paper is the common factor among them all. Back matter offers guidance for young readers to start their own scientific notebooks.
Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Data
This third title in the collection features scientists who collected data to make breakthrough discoveries in their fields. With a focus on the data, Exemplary Evidence details what information was collected and how the scientists recorded it - whether it was drawings, tables and charts, diagrams... By recording their observations, scientist were able to track trends, make and confirm hypotheses, and make recommendations based on that data. One notable example is how the link between lung cancer and smoking was discovered, resulting in the health advisory to not smoke. Back matter guides young scientists in data collection.
Readers will better understand the scientific method and the value of observation and information collection with this trio of books.
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