Nonfiction: Log Life (Amy Hevron)

Title: Log Life

Author: Amy Hevron

Illustrator: Amy Hevron

Target Ages: 5 and up

Genre:  Nonfiction Science Picture Book

Publisher Summary: 

“A fallen log

is full of life.

Peek inside this tiny habitat

and meet the plants

and the creatures

that call it home.”

First Lines: “Once there stood a giant fir tree that stretched to the sun. One stormy day, a great gust came.  The tree creaked…and cracked…and collapsed.”

Memorable Moments: 

EVERYTHING

Evaluation: 

This book is an ideal introduction for young readers learning about habitats.  However, older readers could use it as a springboard for research or projects.

The narrative shows how a “dead” tree gets a second life as a nurse log. It begins in the spring of first year. The child-friendly multimedia illustrations show how different organisms quickly make their home in the nurse log.  Fungi, lichens, liverwort, and much more join in the lively party in their new habitat. Then, the insects and animals are introduced that make this place to call home or to find food. Cute dialogue boxes for the different organisms keep this potentially dense topic lively and child-centered.  

The story skips ahead 10 years and moves to the summer season.  Now, lots of new organisms inhabit the log–from frogs who find a cool den in the hollowed parts to salamanders who slither in the hollows to hide.  

It jumps three more times–to autumn in 100 years, winter in 500 years, and spring again in 1000 years. As a result, readers get a glimpse of the life cycle of a nurse tree in all the different seasons and through many centuries.  

The narrative is a story of cause and effect.  Because one group moves in, it attracts others.  As the nurse log changes, so do the creatures and organisms that make a temporary or permanent home there.  (Ideal crossover skill)

With so much ground being covered, it may seem like this book too comprehensive for children. Not to worry, Hevron does an excellent job keeping the log’s narrative light and readable. Everything from the pictures to the text are age appropriate. 

Log Life is an amazing science picture book!  It is geared for the elementary level, but it is so accessible, fascinating, and informative, readers of all ages will enjoy getting a look into this little known world.  

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Comparison:  Create a Venn diagram comparing/contrasting this habitat with another habitat. 

• Causal: Use a graphic organizer to plot one or more causal relationships or a causal chain that occurs in this habitat.  

• Creative Writing:  Write about log life from the perspective of one of the animals or organisms. 

• Research: Students can pick one of the creatures who make a nurse log home.  Then, write a paper, fill in a graphic organizer, or create a SlideShow with the new information they found.

• Art:  Use a medium like a shoebox or small poster board to create a 3-dimensional or multi-media replica of one of the stages of the nurse log.

• Reading: Also, read A Log's Life by Wendy Pfeffer. Compare and contrast the different depictions of this habitat. This paid TPT resource has 19 activities could accompany either or both books.

For more Perfect Picture Book suggestions visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Carl and the Meaning of Life (Deborah Freedman)

Title:  Carl and the Meaning of Life 

Author:  Deborah Freedman  

Illustrator: Deborah Freedman

Target Ages:  5 and up

Genre:  Picture Book

Publisher Summary: 

This is Carl.

Carl is an earthworm.

He spends his days happily digging, tunneling, turning dirt into soil, until one day, when a field mouse asks him…Why?

Carl does not know why he does what he does, but now he needs to find out!

First Lines:

Carl was not a bird.

Carl was not a bear, or a beaver.

Carl was…an earthworm.

Memorable Moment:

All of them (the animals) are able to do what they do…

How?

Well, why not ask Carl?

Evaluation:

As a child, I often wondered: What is my gift?  What makes me special?  I did not have any talents or skills that stood out.  I was pretty average.  However, through hard work and divine direction, I found my—what makes me special. It is likely that many children (and adults) have similar questions about their significance. 

Carl and the Meaning of Life is an excellent springboard for that conversation.  Though a seemingly insignificant living creature, Carl realizes he has a vital purpose. His story reveals how small actions and roles in life are the foundation of a great organization or society.  On a deeper level: If an earthworm has a purpose, how much more does a human being have one? As the image-bearers of God, all people have a purpose and an opportunity to glorify their creator with their actions—no matter how seemingly small the actions.

Freedman’s soft watercolor illustrations are vibrant and warm.  They help capture how Carl feels as he is pictured small and insignificant compared to the other animals.  However, as he has his epiphany and grows in his understanding, he becomes more prominent.  On the last page, he is equal or greater in size to the other creatures.

One of the highlights of the book is Carl’s quest to answer the tough questions.  He does not stop until he finds the answer.  Multiple questions are presented—How? What? Who? and Why?  Teaching children to ask questions and to pursue the answers is the foundation of true education and understanding.  Carl symbolizes the internal quest within each person.

Carl and the Meaning of Life is a perfect picture book, ripe for many questioning and thinking opportunities.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Writing:  Answer the question How? through Carl's perspective at the end of the story.
• Science:  Read one or more non-fiction picture books about the earthworm.
• Drawing:  Create a flow chart to show how the animals in the story are connected.  Read and/or brainstorm another flow chart of interconnectedness, such as related to bees or plankton. 
• Creative Writing:  What is the meaning of life?
• Characterization: What motivates Carl to answer mouse’s initial question: Why?  How does Carl change over the course of the story?
• Character:  Create a poster with pictures, drawings, and words that show why you are special.
• Community Outreach:  Work together as a class or family to do a small action that has big consequences, like recycling, picking up trash outside, or setting up for an event. 
• Grammar:  Discuss the difference between a question and a statement.   Identify examples of both in the story.

 Perfect Picture Book Friday

 

 
 

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle (Anne Renaud)

Title:  The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson’s Famous Frozen Treat 

Author:  Anne Renaud 

Illustrator:  Milan Pavlovic 

Target Ages:  5 and up 

Genre:  Picture Book STEM Biography 

Publisher Summary: 

Young Frank William Epperson always knew he wanted to be an inventor.  He loved to experiment—especially with flavored soda water.  

Frank was determined to create the yummiest, most thirst-quenching soda drink ever.  Not all of his attempts were successful…you could even say some were disastrous.  But Frank never stopped trying, even as he grew up. 

First Lines:
Frank William Epperson knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.

And everyone in Frank’s family knew, too.  Because in case they forgot, he reminded them—often.  

Memorable Moment:  Frank has a creative and effective way to market his new product. 

Evaluation:

Frank’s idyllic childhood illustrates the importance of being creative, imaginative, and inquisitive.  His first laboratory was his back porch where he tinkered, tested, analyzed, and scrutinized.   

When he was 10 years old, he completed his first successful invention.  Frank’s example will inspire young readers as they realize they don’t have to wait to grow up to become an inventor.  They can begin doing it right now!

Another essential life and STEM lesson is show in Frank’s experience both succeeding and failing during experimentation.  Without the failures, Frank never would have found the right combination for success.   

Milan Pavlovic’s energetic and entertaining illustrations compliment this engaging text.  

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is an ideal family or school text to encourage scientific thinking and doing.  I recommend it for teachers and parents looking to add STEM biographies and models for their children. 

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans: 

• Comparison:  Compare and contrast Frank Epperson with another kid inventor. Try Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E.Knight Became An Inventor by Emily Arnold McCully. 
• Characterization:  Discuss the types of activities Frank did in his daily life that lead to his success. 
• Creativity:  Create a new Popsicle flavor.  Draw a picture of it and write a pitch or advertisement to encourage others to try it. 
• Nonfiction:  Discuss the difference between fiction and non-fiction.  Compare this non-fiction story about a child inventor with a fiction counterpart like Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts.  
• Science:  Integrated in the story are 4 related science experiments that children can complete at school or home. 

Additional background information and photographs on the life of Frank Epperson are provided at the end of the story. 

For other books on inventors, click HERE. 

Perfect Picture Book Friday. 

 

Titanosaur: Discovering the World’s Largest Dinosaur

Title:  Titanosaur: Discovering the World’s Largest Dinosaur

Authors: Dr. Jose Luis Carballido & Dr. Diego Pol

Illustrator:  Florence Gigena

Target Ages:  5 and up

Genre:  Non-Fiction Picture Book (Science)

Publisher Summary: 

Join paleontologists Jose Luis Carballido and Diego Pol on the adventure of a lifetime, and learn all about how they uncovered more than 180 titanosaur bones in the deserts of Argentina, forever changing our understanding of these 100-million-year-old creatures.  After excavating the skeletons of seven of these giant sauropods, Dr. Carballido and Dr. Pol and their team transport them to a museum in Argentina, studied them, replicated them, and built the biggest dinosaur skeleton the world has ever seen!  With information on how to keep fossils from breaking, the secrets to a successful dinosaur dig, and just how much we can really learn from a tooth, this book with not only delight dinosaur lovers—it will inspire young scientists.

First Lines:

Early one summer morning in a place called Patagonia, Argentina, a gaucho and his sheepdog left their ranch to search for a lost sheep. After hours of searching, the gaucho spotted something poking out of the dirt.

Evaluation:

From the mystery of the unknown object sticking out and the unearthing of the bones to the preparation for study and the finalize reconstruction, every event is a critical puzzle piece in this compelling story.

Words and concepts are defined outside of the storytelling to help educators and parents explain text references.  Budding paleontologists and future scientists will be drawn to the fascinating facts about dinosaurs, archeology, teamwork, and research.

Florence Gigena’s artwork perfectly adds to the storytelling and concept building.  Photographs from the dig and study are interspersed with Gigena’s stunning replication of the events.  When a bone is discovered, it is highlighted in a drawing of the dinosaur to give context. Other times she adds pictures to help visualization, such as comparing the dinosaur’s neck to a school bus or the length of the femur bone to the size of a person. 

Young readers (and older ones too) will immediately be swept in as this real dinosaur discovery unfolds!  Titanosaur: Discovering the World’s Largest Dinosaur is a must-read for ages 5 and up.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

Footprint Cookies

Dinosaur Snack Mix

Dinosaur Dig

Dinosaur Pinterest Board

Picture Book Connections:

Fossil by Fossil:  Comparing Dinosaur Bones

This delightful book highlights the unique bones of different species. Young readers are encouraged to guess which dinosaur they belong to. The answer, and some fast facts about it, are revealed on the next page. 

Barnum Brown: Dinosaur Hunter

Brown was an early paleontologist whose many discoveries led scientists to a greater understanding of dinosaurs and people to a greater fascination of these prehistoric creatures.

Dinothesaurus

This children’s poetry collection celebrates dinosaurs. 

For fiction for the dinosaur-lover in your life, click HERE.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures (Julia Finley Mosca)

Title:  The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:  The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Author:  Julia Finley Mosca

Illustrator:   Daniel Rieley

Target Ages:  5 and up

Genre:  Picture Book Biography

Publisher Summary: 

Meet Dr. Temple Grandin—one of the world’s quirkiest science heroes! 

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science.  Yet the determined visual thinker did just that.  Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!

First Lines:

If you’ve ever felt different,

if you’ve ever been low,

if you don’t quite fit in,

there’s a name you should know. 

TEMPLE GRANDIN’S that name.

In her tale, you’ll find glory.

So, get ready, get set,

for this cowgirl’s TRUE story.

Memorable Moment:

So, here is the lesson:

Feeling odd or offbeat?

Being DIFFERENT might just

be what makes you so NEAT!

Don’t let doubt hold you back,

Not for one minute more.

STAND TALL, and like Temple,

MARCH RIGHT THROUGH THAT DOOR!

Evaluation:

Julia Finley Mosca's uplifting text perfectly brings Temple Grandin’s moving story to life for young readers.   

Temple was a leader in a STEM field in a time when few women were included.  Many ignored her ideas, but she was persistent.  As a result, she slowly changed minds.  Her influence is vital not just for science, but for the humane treatment of animals.

Parents, teachers, and students—especially those who do not act and think like mainstream kids do—will be inspired by Temple’s early years. Because she was autistic, she had extra challenges.  She dealt with sensory issues and delayed speech.  Interpersonal interactions were a difficult. Her mind processed information in a unique way.  Fortunately, her parents and teachers concluded she was “different, not less.” Her story encourages children to internalize that “different” is positive, not negative.

After repeated bullying, she moves to live on her aunt’s farm. Not only did Temple feel solace and acceptance there, her unique way of thinking allowed her to understand and to connect with the animals.  This experience and realization led her toward her professional path, illustrating that good outcomes can come from bad occurances.

The teachers in her life are often the source of inspiration. For instance, one of them told her,  “You’ll never fall short when you find what you’re good at, like science—you’ll soar!”  Her teachers’ encouragement and faith in her helped her to begin imagining solutions to problems on farms. 

Today, Temple teaches and speaks all over the world, illustrating that setbacks and, even, disabilities do not prevent people from doing great things.  Instead, it is her differences that make her uniquely created to help solve problems and to make the world a more humane place.

One of the personalized touches is a letter from Temple.  In it, she encourages children to find something they are good at it and to develop it.  In addition, she tells them to “keep learning, especially from your mistakes.”   

Fun factions and tidbits, a time line, additional background information, and bibliography are resources included for educators and parents.

Add The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:  The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin to your women in STEM biography library.  The text and illustrations are engaging.  The warm colors, animated expressions, and creative action are perfect for young readers.  

Also check out The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes by this author-illustrator duo. 

For other Amazing Scientists books, visit Innovation Press.

Activities and Extension Ideas from around the Internet for Lesson Plans:

Multiple Printing Resources from Innovation Press

Amazing Women in STEM Printable

Visualizing FREEBIE

Reading Skills and Strategies Activities (Multiple)

Meta Cognition Printable Freebie

Profile Portrait Craft Idea

Book Study Printables ($1.95)

Check out other excellent recommendations at Perfect Picture Book Friday.