Want to get your kids reading, writing, investigating science concepts, and thinking creatively?
Pairing children’s books with science or other STEM investigations is my favorite way to hook kids into new science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. Stories provide real-life context to help young scientists and engineers see the value of exploration and experimentation, and to help them see how these subjects can fit into their everyday lives. My favorite fictional science stories include a just-right mix of real science and imaginary ideas. -A combination that captures the interest of a variety of readers.
Do you know what’s even better than one science-themed story for kids? A whole series! Get those young readers/scientists hooked in a creative, science-y series, and watch them pick up some serious facts and discover some new favorite adventures and characters along the way.
Check out these super-fun science collections for elementary school-aged kids!
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Zoey and Sassafras Books, written by Asia Citro and illustrated by Marion Lindsay
My friends at The Innovation Press gave me a copy of the latest book in the Zoey and Sassafras series. I love it! Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows is the perfect blend of science and story. It’s a beginning chapter book, well suited for the primary grades, with an engaging story about a curious young scientist named Zoey, her trusty cat/sidekick Sassafras, and some interesting living things to investigate, both real and fictional. Kids can read this book, then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what living creatures they can investigate up close. They can design an experiment to learn more about bugs or slugs or anything else they find. After the science, they can get creative and think of a new investigation with an imaginary creature, like the baby dragon in Zoey’s backyard!
If you’re exploring living things at home or at school, this book makes a great introduction!
4 more book series to inspire a love of literacy and science…
1. Learn about amoebas and the microscopic world with the Squish series, written and illustrated by Matthew and Jennifer Holm.
My boys adore this series! These graphic novels take place in freshwater ponds, where Squish the amoeba and his other microscopic pals explore regular kid things like friendships and soccer, while introducing readers to microorganisms and science vocabulary.
Get book 1 in the Squish series here.
Here are some facts and experiments about microorganisms for kids.
2. Explore a variety of science concepts with the Frank Einstein series, written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Brian Biggs
Like most of Jon Scieszka’s characters, Frank is funny and a little wacky. He’s a genius inventor who models scientific processes, and through the six books in the series, teaches readers about states of matter, energy, living things, life on earth, evolution, and space. -All while cracking them up in the process.
Get Book 1 in the Frank Einstein series here.
3. Explore kitchen chemistry, volcanoes, mold and space with Phineas L. MacGuire series, written by Frances O’Roark Dowell and illustrated by
A funny and relateable 4th grader, Phineas L. MacGuire applies his science skills to all sorts of interesting and sometimes gross adventures.
Get Book 1 in the Phineas L. MacGuire series here.
4.Explore loads of science concepts up close with the Andrew Lost series, written by Judith Greenburg, illustrated by Debbie Palen.
Andrew and his cousin Judy get caught up in a shrinking-machine-gone-wrong situation, and end up exploring the world from a microscopic point of view. Kids are intrigued by adventures that allow them to see the world from this cool and creative perspective.
Get book 1 in the Andrew Lost series here.
Kids can click here to learn more about the science concepts covered in these books.
Happy reading!
For more free creative literacy activities, take a look around here, and visit my store on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows but I was not obligated to include it in this blog post. I just love it and wanted to share! I hope you enjoy it too!
