Captivating Science Books for Children

           In this Language Arts review, Aeriale Johnson and Clare Landrigan recommend these nonfiction books on a variety of science topics: 

• When You Breathe by Diana Farid, illustrated by Billy Renkl 
• The Secret Code Inside You: All About Your DNA by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Steven Salerno 
• Earth Squad: 50 People Who Are Saving the Planet by Alexandra Zissu, illustrated by Nhung Lê
• The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics by Susan Hood, illustrated by Christine Engel 
• To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Rachele Jomepour Bel 
• Curious Comparisons: A Life-Size Look at the World Around You by Jorge Doneiger, photographs by Guido Chouela, Cristina Reche, Marcelo Setton, and David Sisso 
• Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks by Jolene Gutiérrez
• Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer by Traci Sorell, illustrations by Natasha Donovan
• Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton, illustrated by Don Tata 
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon 
• She Persisted in Science by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger 
• Get to Know Your Universe: Science Comics Series by Molly Brooks, Jacob Chabot, Jon Chad, Anne Drozd, Joe Flood, Zack Giallongo, Andy Hirsch, Falynn Koch, Jason Viola, and Maris Wicks 
• The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter by Shabazz Larkin 

 “‘I Wanna Learn More About That!’ Providing Access to Scientific Literacy for All Through Inclusive Nonfiction Science Texts” by Aeriale Johnson and Clare Landrigan in Language Arts, March 2023 (Vol. 100, #4, pp. 338-343)

Please Note: This summary is reprinted with permission from issue #985 of The Marshall Memo, an excellent resource for educators.