Tag: Books for Curious Kids

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Today’s book recommendation:🔥THE FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten W. Larson

Illustrated by Katherine Roy

Published by Chronicle Books

📚 Nonfiction Picture Book Biography

The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W. Larson

This STEM biography is a major award winner! It is exceptionally crafted and beautifully illustrated! I absolutely love how author Kirsten W. Larson manages to tell two stories at once with her lovely, poetic text.

Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
Astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne was the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars. But she didn’t start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl full of curiosity, hoping one day to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

With lyrical, evocative text by Kirsten W. Larson and extraordinary illustrations by award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy, this moving biography powerfully parallels the kindling of Cecilia Payne’s own curiosity and her scientific career with the process of a star’s birth, from mere possibility in an expanse of space to an eventual, breathtaking explosion of light.
*****

This book encourages curiosity and a love of science on every page, along with gorgeous swirls of stardust, sparks of color, and heartfelt moments in Cecilia’s journey through life.

⭐ Perfect for kids who love space, science, and stories of trailblazing women.
⭐ A beautiful blend of STEM and storytelling.
⭐ Inspiring for classroom use or bedtime brilliance.

Have you read this starry gem yet? 💫 Drop a 🌟 in the comments if you love space books!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: SCYTHE by Neal Shusterman

-Young Adult Dystopian Thriller

If you or your teenager likes thrilling dystopian stories, have I got a book for you! One of my teenage sons actually introduced it to me. At first I wasn’t sure. It’s a story about murder and death, after all. 

My initial hesitation disappeared when I realized that SCYTHE doesn’t glorify killing. Since it takes place in a future where the world has conquered illness, crime, and hunger, the job of ending lives is given to specially trained Scythes, in order to keep the population in check. 

Basically, the book is about an internal war among the Scythe organization–those who honor the old ways and carry out their duty with respect and those who kill for sport. Yes, it’s fast-paced and violent, but it really makes you think about what is important in life and clearly shows which side is right in the age-old battle of good vs. evil.

🔪Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
*****

While the novel uses a dual point of view, alternating between teenagers Citra and Rowan, I really enjoyed Shusterman’s use of journal entries from various adult scythes to flesh out the history and struggles of the Scythe organization.

SCYTHE is a riveting and immersive read, which is why my son inhaled the whole 4-book series in a matter of days! Shusterman obviously knows his audience. 😊 If you liked Hunger Games, I recommend you give this series a try.

Happy reading!

Arc of a Scythe, Four Volume Set by Neal Shusterman Scythe Thunderhead The Toll Gleanings
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Today’s book recommendation: LITTLE RED HENRY by Linda Urban; Illustrated by Madeline Valentine

– Picture Book

This sweet little story turns the tale of The Little Red Hen on its head. Instead of a hen who has to do everything herself because her friends are too lazy, Henry has an extraordinarily loving family who can’t help themselves from doing every little thing for him.

Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
Little redheaded Henry’s family treats him like a baby. They dress him. They feed him. They brush his “widdle toofers.” But he’s not a baby anymore. He’s a little boy who wants to do things for himself. So with his family watching anxiously from the wings, Henry sets out on a glorious day of independence. But will things swing too far in the other direction? In this charming reworking of the classic tale of the Little Red Hen, author Linda Urban and illustrator Madeline Valentine gently and humorously depict a family trying to find a middle ground between hovering over their youngest member and giving him room to grow.

*****

The need for independence is real–especially for little ones! Almost as soon as my son could talk, I remember him saying “Me do it!” to every little thing.

But as his mom, it was tricky to step back. I was his mom! He needed me! 🙂

That’s what makes this book so humorous–it’s altogether too relatable, for parents and for kids!

Plus, the illustrations! Madeline Valentine’s delightful cartoon-style pictures add so much to this fun tale. I just love little redheaded, bespectacled Henry, and I died laughing at the spread where the whole family was listless and without purpose because they couldn’t do everything for Henry anymore!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: LOVE, SOPHIA ON THE MOON by Anica Mrose Rissi

  • SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Picture Book

There’s no doubt about it: little people have BIG feelings, and they often don’t know quite how to handle them.

In LOVE, SOPHIA ON THE MOON, Sophia is no different. This beautiful picture book, illustrated by Mika Song, does such a good job of showing how to honor those feelings while helping the child through them with gentle love and humor.

Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
Life on Earth isn’t always fair, so Sophia runs off to the moon, where there are no bedtimes, no time-outs, and no Mom.

But as Sophia and her mom send letters to each other, Mom has a clever comeback for all of Sophia’s angry notes. Home starts to sound not-quite-so-bad, especially when Mom reports that someone from the moon has moved in to Sophia’s old room, they’re having spaghetti for dinner, and they’re reading Sophia’s favorite story at bedtime.

*****

This book has so much heart! I really love how the whole thing is written in letters back and forth between Sophia and her mom. Rissi does such a great job of allowing the subtext to shine through, despite what is actually said.

This is one you’re going to want to curl up in a soft blanket and read again and again.

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: FLOWER TALK: HOW PLANTS USE COLOR TO COMMUNICATE by Sara Levine – Nonfiction Picture Book

This is one of my all-time favorite picture books! While you will find it shelved with nonfiction, technically, it’s “informational fiction” because it is narrated by an adorable little cactus with a prickly attitude!

No matter how you categorize it, FLOWER TALK is both informational and highly entertaining!

Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
Pssssst! Did you know plants can talk?

It’s true! Plants use the colors of their flowers to communicate with animals. But why animals? Because they help plants make seeds by moving pollen from one flower to another. Learn the secrets of flower talk from a narrator with an inside scoop!

This new book from Sara Levine features a cantankerous talking cactus as a narrator, revealing to readers the significance of different colors of flowers in terms of which pollinators (bees, bats, birds, etc.) different colors “talk” to. A fun nonfiction presentation of science info that may be new to many kids―and adults!
*****

The voice in this book is brilliant and makes for SUCH a fun read-aloud! And the illustrations! I can’t tell you how much I love them!! Masha D’yans manages to make the little cactus guy so adorable and so cranky, all at the same time. I love her gorgeous, whimsical style.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book today!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: SECRETS OF THE SEA: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith – Nonfiction Picture Book Biography

I absolutely LOVE picture book biographies. There have been so many amazing people in the world and well-done picture book biographies capture the essence of their lives and achievements so beautifully!

Secrets of the Sea is no exception! Jeanne Power was a courageous and creative woman from the 19th century who went from being a respected Parisian dressmaker to a famous marine scientist.

At this time, pretty much everything scientists knew about sea creatures was from studying dead specimens. Jeanne came up with the idea of building her own aquarium to study marine life while they were alive, and she made many exciting discoveries!

Evan Griffith made impressive discoveries of his own during his thorough research for this book, and Joanie Stone’s illustrations really made it all come to life. I’d never heard of a paper nautilus before, but my boys and I went on a little research binge about them after reading this book.

It’s the perfect book to read to be inspired by creative problem solving and overcoming trials. Pick it up today and give it a try!

Happy reading!

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Today’s book recommendation: THE YEAR OF THE DOG by Grace Lin – Middle Grade Fiction

You might be familiar with author/illustrator Grace Lin from when her middle grade book, WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, won the Newbery Honor in 2010 for its contribution to children’s literature. And it is a beautiful book! It reads like a Chinese fairytale adventure story with Lin’s own beautiful full-color illustrations along the way.

Lin is truly talented and has many not-to-be-missed reads, like her very first book, THE UGLY VEGETABLES, or her delightful chapter book, LING & TING: NOT EXACTLY THE SAME. But my very favorite of all is her middle grade debut, THE YEAR OF THE DOG.

This heartwarming book is truly a must read! The main character is a young Taiwanese-American girl who begins the books celebrating the Chinese New Year with her family. Since it is the Year of the Dog, her mother explains that this is the year she should try to find herself.

And that’s exactly what the book’s about. As the year progresses, Pacy navigates family and friendship dynamics, all while working to discover who she is, what she values, and what she’s good at. Because there are very few Asians where Pacy lives, it is often extra challenging as she faces unintentional (but hurtful) microaggressions along the way that are heartbreaking and eye-opening. (Click on the images below for examples.)

I loved the intergenerational aspect to the storytelling with her parents’ and grandparents’ stories within stories and the cute little doodle-like illustrations scattered throughout. Lin’s humor is spot on, too. There were many times where I laughed out loud!

This is an earlier middle grade novel, designed for 8-10 year olds, and while that’s the perfect age, it really is enjoyable for any age. I read it to my boys when they were that age and every day they begged for more.

If you are new to Grace Lin’s beautiful books, I encourage you to give her a try!

Happy reading!