Why do we read? There’s a poster in a class that I’m teaching now that lists Great Reasons to Read. Yeah, that list might seem passé or obligatory, but for a group of high school students who would sooner watch paint dry, so long as it’s on their cell phone, they need to be reminded as to what reading can do for their ever-growing brains. Skybound! Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist check off every one of the things listed on that list, if such a list exists for elementary school ages. Spoiler alert: that list exists and it’s the same one that’s in the high school class; it’s just that young audiences like elementary school readers need to have it presented with a little more panache, enthusiasm, and show.
Solid Gold was much more than a comebackTag: STEM illustrated books
Digestion! The Musical, a madcap illustrated opus on food’s destiny for ages five and up
Upend expectations. Take what is normally expected from a thing and completely subvert it in a much more excellent manner than you are used to. Digestion! The Musical is an illustrated book that takes the normally short presentation of those books and makes it longer. It takes a subject that every elementary-aged child is curious about and turns it into a theme park of a book. There are three distinct areas of the book that looks at how the body digests food. Digestion! The Musical works as an illustrated book for young elementary ages, as well as, a primer on the human body for ages six and up. It’s also worth noting that it does this with style, STEM, humor, and poop, just in case your audiences are curious about the end results.
What Miss Mitchell Saw is addictive STEM (and anytime) reading
There is something visually jarring about What Miss Mitchell Saw that I just couldn’t put my finger on. When I saw the cover I loved it. In looking through the book there was something that I couldn’t identify that gave me a lukewarm feeling However, after looking at the book a second time I understood what caused that reaction and now see that as one of the bigger positives of the book. What educators, parents and somewhat patient readers will discover is the fascinating story of Maria Mitchell. She was a trailblazing astronomer whose upward gaze and talent awarded a crater on the moon named after her, the discovery of a comet and numerous other scientific accolades.
Fabulous art, great story and a stem background for ages 4 and up