Education | Page 19 of 40

The Big Book of Superpowers and Girl Power-big, fun, great

When it comes to superheroes books and young readers the options can be somewhat limited. Capstone does do a bang up job on their books, but for the most part they are geared to children that can already read. For ages 3 and up we found some great, one would almost say super books that will engage, educate and entertain them. From Downtown Bookworks, The Big Book of Superpowers and The Big Book of Girl Power are two oversized books whose bright, vivid colors will attract kids, while their content will keep kids glued in for a number of reasons. These are all DC heroes and this is a great chance for kids to get a primer on them, especially since these characters do not have consistent appearances in an all age monthly comic book.

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An Excessive Alphabet is proof that it’s OK to have more

An Excessive Alphabet, Avalanches of As to Zillions of Zs looks familiar and that’s OK. It’s written by Judi Barrett, with illustrations by Ron Barrett, the team behind the children’s classic, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Even if you’ve never read that book there is a comfort food quality in An Excessive Alphabet that makes readers feel that everything is going to be alright.

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Push! Dig! Scoop! is kid counting book comfort food

Children under 6 are fun. Granted they have periods of unpredictability, but on the whole they’re simply little fun people who like books that rhyme. Push! Dig! Scoop! is a counting book that rhymes by Rhonda Gowler Greene with illustrations by Daniel Kirk. For kids 6 and under there is lots to love in this book including the fact that it’s plus sized, packed with color and has a nice variety of machines.

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Secret Coders: Paths & Portals, succeeds as a graphic novel and STEM tool

Secret Coders: P aths & Portals is the second book in the series by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes. It’s a fascinating graphic novel that wears its love for STEM on its sleeve. It also manages to do so in a way that draws in non-coders in a way that will make them want to explore the subject matter more.

That’s important to point out because this is a graphic novel, but it’s unlike any one that you’ve read before. Most graphic novels simply have the goal of being entertaining. Paths & Portals wants to be entertaining, as well as, show kids what coding can do, how it’s helpful and why it’s fun.

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Super Fly vs. Furious Flea small characters, big mutant pun….err fun

Hello young reluctant reader. Super Fly heard your requests for books that are great for grades 2-5 and as equally fun for girls or boys. The third book from Super Fly author Todd Doodler is Super Fly vs. Furious Flea. It takes the premise established in the first two books and further mixes it up to stoke the curious fires of young readers. Also the simplicity of the book is approachable for kids who haven’t read Super Fly’s other adventures.

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A conversation with Dr. Scott Viguie, AKA Doctor Geek at Dragon Con

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Education, especially STEM based education can be tricky thing for some students and educators. It’s frustrating for parents too because STEM based jobs will grow by 5.5 million jobs between now and 2022. Doctor Geek’s Laboratory hears you and is there to help you in many ways that you may not even know you need help.

As part of Dragon Con we interviewed Doctor Scott Viguie. He’s has two doctorate degrees, is an archeologist, attorney, actor and author. His life story is nothing short of impossible, inspiring and fascinating. Growing up with Cerebral Palsy, his thirst for knowledge, natural curiosity and determination offer lessons that anyone-regardless of their passion for science, technology, engineering, art or math can learn from. Yes, art. Dr. Scott Viguie, AKA, Doctor Geek incorporates ‘Art’ into his materials. His podcast, Doctor Geek’s Laboratory is more of a radio soap opera than podcast. It presents real science lessons that people can learn from. It’s science inspired by fiction that applies itself to home scholars, students who want to be entertained while they learn or just folks looking to hear a top notch podcast.

The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate draws in young readers with doodles

The Pursuit of the Pesky Pizza Pirate is a book that if for the kids that like to doodle. The daydreaming kids that draw dancing robots, enjoy snow globes and yearn to be stuck on a pirate ship eating pizza. At some point in time that description applies to most 9 year old kids. If that’s you, or that sounds like your child then you’ll want to explore this book, but be warned, it’s best done with a pencil and a reader who’s quick at the draw.

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The Snurtch, a fun book for kids about their id, ego and behavior

What is a Snurtch? A Snurtch is that (id) inside all of us that does the opposite of what we should. My adult Snurtch makes snide or sarcastic comments when they’re not needed. Thankfully the adult version of my Snurtch is rarely seen. For children though their Snurtch is seen on a daily basis and that is the premise behind The Snurtch. The book follows Ruthie, a typical first grade student who likes school, but has a problem with her Snurtch when she’s there.

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