Early Book Review: Search for a Giant Squid by Amy Seto Forrester and Andy Chou Musser

Search for a Giant Squid, written by Amy Seto Forrester and illustrated by Andy Chou Musser, is a children's book currently scheduled for release on April 25 2023. An exciting ocean-themed choose-your-path STEM adventure for emerging readers! Take a journey to the ocean's twilight zone in Search for a Giant Squid ! An exciting mixture of action and nonfiction, this choose-your-own-adventure-style story allows readers to take on the mantle of a teuthologist looking for a giant squid in its natural habitat. Once readers pick their submersible, pilot, and dive site, the adventure begins!

Search for a Giant Squid is a combination of adventure and nonfiction. I liked the amount of information shared about the people that study and work in the ocean, and study specific aspects and creatures of the ocean. I learned a few new things, and I think most young readers will learn a great deal. I loved that the fact the scientists are still learning, still asking questions, and still looking to better understand things. Helping kids see that the adults are still looking to answer questions makes them feel a little better when they do not know the answer, even when they think they should. I thought making the story interactive was a great idea, giving young readers the ability to make the choices, and see the consequences of those choices in a book is safe and low stakes. I like that the readers are encouraged to try different paths, and see what else they can discover. I also like that they are encouraged to check the glossary if they see a word they do not understand. The inclusion of suggestions for further research, the sources used, and some additional fun facts at the end were a perfect addition.

Search for a Giant Squid is a wonderful book for curious young readers, especially for those with interest in animals or the sciences in general. 

Early Book Review: Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding

Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding is currently scheduled for release on October 5 2021. In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope Team unveiled the first ever image of a super massive black hole. This inspiring scientific breakthrough took years of hard work, innovative thinking, and a level of global cooperation never seen before. The challenge was immense. The goal was impossible. They would need a telescope as big as the earth itself. The technology simply didn’t exist. And yet, a multi-national team of scientists was able to show the world an image of something previously unseeable. Based off extensive research and hours interviews with many of the team's ground-breaking scientist, physicists, and mathematicians, Black Hole Chasers is a story of unique technological innovation and scientific breakthroughs, but more importantly, it's a story of human curiosity and triumph.

Black Hole Chasers is a middle grade non fiction book that is just as interesting an engaging for older readers, including adults, that are interested in the topic. I found the writing to be accessible and interesting, not oversimplified for younger readers nor overly technical. The information was well presented and I found myself intrigued. I enjoyed the asides of additional information and pop culture references, I felt they put things in context and might help the younger readers understand some of these references  that seem to consistently find their way into these discussions. I also like that the author took the time to show how many different people had a hand in the evolution of our understanding of black holes,  and how diverse they and their ideas have been over the years. No one individual, culture, or country can be credited with the discoveries or ingenuity that allowed for us to get an actual image of a black hole- never mind out current understanding of what they are and how they behave.  I liked that the author also included a proper bibliography and endnote citations. This should always be the case in nonfiction, but somehow it is somehow forgotten on occasion so proper citations always make me happy. 

Black Hole Chasers is a great read for anyone interested in black holes, and the scientific journey thus far in understanding, finding, and finally getting an image of one. 

Book Review: Invented by Animals: Meet the Creatures who Inspired our Everyday Technology by Christiane Dorion, Gosia Herba

Invented by Animals: Meet the Creatures who Inspired our Everyday Technology, written by Christiane Dorion and illustrated by Gosia Herba, is a children's nonfiction book. Often human scientists try and solve a problem or invent a new tool and they realize that animals have already invented it for them. In this book you will meet the animal inventors who have shared their super inventing powers to make amazing things for humans.  Meet the shark who invented a pair of swimming shorts so fast, they were banned from the Olympic games. And meet the snail who has invented a house that stays cool inside even in the desert.   

Invented by Animals is a book that offers readers insight about how animals and nature have inspired inventions and innovation. Many of the facts and stories were something I had read or heard part of before, while some of the information was new to me. I thought the pages were well designed- with small sections of text and plenty of bright illustrations to capture the attention and imagination of readers. The information was well worded, so that it was never condescending nor too complex so the book can appeal to a wide range of readers. This was an interesting and engaging read that would be equally welcome in school, classroom, and personal libraries. 

Early Book Review: Hack Your Kitchen: Discover a World of Food Fun with Science Buddies by Niki Ahrens

Hack Your Kitchen: Discover a World of Food Fun with Science Buddies by Niki Ahrens is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on February 2 2021. Young scientists will learn all about many different scientific principles and properties using everyday tools and ingredients from their own kitchens! Make a lemon volcano, flour craters, edible paper, and more with these hands-on science projects.

Hack Your Kitchen is a well written and organized book. I liked that the items needed for the experiments, and the note that parental supervision or actions for certain things might be important right in the beginning of the book- so there are no surprises of that nature in the midst of picking a project. Equally important, at the end of the book a reminder to leave the kitchen as you found it, and resources for further reading and experimentation are included. The experiments are short and simple, with good pictures and clear instructions. I like that many resulted in edible results, like the slushy, ice cream, and meringue. I also like that the tools and ingredients for each activity are in most homes, or easily found if not currently in the pantry or junk drawer. I think the book is easy to read and follow, accessible to kids and  their adults that might be helping or supervising. I think this book could be helpful for keeping kids engaged and learning while so many are deep into home school or remote learning- and might need a little something extra to stay invested or engaged. I think some teachers and/or parents could use it for inspiration. In fact, I think my kids and I might be giving the baked ice cream a go sooner rather than later.

Early Book Review: What Breathes Through Its Butt?: Mind-Blowing Science Questions Answered by Emily Grossman, Alice Bowsher

What Breathes Through Its Butt?: Mind-Blowing Science Questions Answered, written by Emily Grossman and illustrated by Alice Bowsher, is currently scheduled for release on November 10 2020. Why is your elbow called your funny bone? How could you escape the grip of a crocodile’s jaw? Which animal can breathe through its butt? This book uncovers the amazing scientific explanations behind all sorts of questions that can pop into our heads. Can an egg bounce? How can a giraffe’s ridiculously long neck contain the same number of bones as a human’s? How much does the Internet weigh? With delightful interactive features that invite readers to guess answers to questions and make links between different scientific concepts.

What Breathes Through Its Butt? is a book that answers a number of the wacky and interesting questions that wee might never have thought to ask. Some of the information was very interesting and I learned a bit about things I never thought to wonder about. I found that the writing and illustrations were well paired, and aimed at readers that like silly or gross humor, and those with fairly short attention spans. I think this might be a great book for getting reluctant readers to read, and maybe reread. I feel like the author and illustrator worked well together on this book and the final product will certainly interest and entertain a number of young readers- and I can picture it being a regular check out in an elementary school library. For my tastes it just catered a little too much to the goofy and not quite as much on the encouraging further research as I would have liked. 

Early Book Review: A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut by Masha D'yans

 A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut, written and illustrated by Masha D'yans, is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2020. Your belly is full of tiny creatures—and they love to eat! Along the river of your gut, tiny creatures move, eat, and grow. Learn more about the garden of microscopic flora growing inside the body and come on a journey that explains an important biological concept: the microbiome, the health of which affects everything in our bodies. Did you know that some foods are better for your microbiome (and you!) than others? Striking, original watercolor illustrations keep things from getting too gross. Informational back matter goes further into the science of the microbiome and reveals amazing facts about the gut.

A Garden in Your Belly is a colorfully illustrated book that helps explain to young readers how important the microbiome that lives inside of all of is. The important information is written in a way that is accessible and nonthreatening, because learning that a bunch of little things live inside you could be scary to some readers. I think the artwork helps keep the tone light and fun, and still shows the danger of not taking care of our gut health without being over the top. The message is very well conveyed, and I think it is well done. I really enjoyed the more in depth information at the end of the book, interesting facts, and the glossary included in the end pages. I think this book would be a good addition to school, library, and classroom shelves. It would also be a good tool in households where someone might have digestive health problems, that make this information even more important and relevant.

Early Book Review: Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks by Jolene Gutiérrez

Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks by Jolene Gutiérrez is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2020. What happens when a young elephant steps on a buried land mine, or when a sea turtle’s flipper is injured by a predator? Thanks to recent advances in technology, we have new ways to design and build prosthetic body parts that can help these animals thrive. Readers will meet an Asian elephant named Mosha, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Lola, a German Shepherd named Cassidy, a greylag goose named Vitória, and Pirate, a Berkshire-Tamworth pig. Each of these animals was struggling, but through a variety of techniques and technologies, humans created devices that enabled the animals to live and move more comfortably. Discover the stories of how veterinarians, doctors, and even students from around the world used 3D printing and other techniques to build bionic body parts for these amazing animals.

Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks is an inspiring look at what people can do to help animals live a better life. I had seen some of these stories before, mostly as part of documentaries or animal shows on television, but this book gave me a much better appreciation for the care, determination, and craftsmanship that was required to make these things happen. The thought, ingenuity, and trial and error that went into improving the lives of these animals was inspiring and can lead the scientific and medical communities to even better solutions and advances in the future.  I thought the writing was well done and accessible to readers, and the layouts of the pages balanced text and images nicely. I really liked that there were experiments for readers to try, and a quality resources in the endpages for engaged readers.

Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs, and Beaks is a great read for animal loves and inspiring scientists of all kinds. 

Early Book Review: Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See by Sara Levine, T.S. Spookytooth

Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See is a nonfiction picturebook written by Sara Levine and illustrated by T.S. Spooktooth. It is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2020. 

What kind of animal would you be if you had eight eyes? Or if your pupils were the shape of the letter W? Keep an eye out for weird and surprising facts in this playful picture book, which brings together comparative anatomy with a guessing game format. See how your animal eyes are like—and unlike—those of starfish, spiders, goats, cuttlefish, owls, and slugs. 

Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See is a wonderful look at the ingenuity of nature. The text was clear and engaging- making the information understandable and interesting to read. The art work pairs pretty much perfectly with the text- adding details in interest to each page.  Some of the information was brand new to me, like the shape of a cuddlefish's pupil. Even the information I knew was presented in a way that made it fun and interesting to read. Every page was fun to look at, and engaging to read. I also enjoyed the bits of extra information and resources included in the endpages. That always makes me happy. I think this book would be a great addition to libraries, schools, classroom, and personal school collections. 

Early Book Review: Builders by Reina Ollivier, Karel Claes, Steffie Padmos

Builders, written by Reina Ollivier and Karel Claes and illustrated by Steffie Padmos, is currently scheduled for release on August 11 2020. Just like people, animals need a place to live. The nine animals in this book are very talented builders and make their own homes. Readers can learn about the amazing beaver, cross spider, sociable weaver, termite, stork, meerkat, honeybee, Japanese puffer fish, and mole.

Builders is a well written book that clearly explains the basic information these nine animals and their homes. It does not go into great depth of detail, but gives enough information to give readers a good understanding of the animals. I really enjoyed the illustrations. I thought they were done with great skill, and offered details and visual interest to the read. This book offers readers exactly what it promises and just might trigger greater interest and curiosity in readers, inspiring them to research and read further on their own. 

Early Book Review: Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator by Emma Bland Smith

Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator, written by Emma Bland Smith and illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter,  is currently scheduled for release on August 4 2020. Claude is a celebrity alligator and the mascot for San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences. His story started almost 25 years ago in Louisiana, where he hatched out of his egg to discover he looked different from the other hatchlings. They were green and Claude was white. The other hatchlings avoided him, and his color made him vulnerable to predators. So Claude went to a special zoo that cared for alligators where he lived in a pen by himself. Now he was safe--but alone. One day, scientists at the California Academy of Sciences heard about him and asked the zoo if he could come and live in the Academy's swamp. He made a 2,800 mile journey to his new home, where he had a surprise--he would share his swamp with Bonnie, an alligator who the scientists hoped would be a friend for Claude. Unfortunately, Bonnie didn't like Claude's differences either, so she was moved to another home. But then Claude was alone again--or was he? With Bonnie gone, Claude began to interact with the five enormous snapping turtles who shared his swamp. The turtles didn't mind at all that Claude was different! And neither do the millions of people who visit him every year. They know that Claude's differences are exactly what makes him special. 

Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator is more than a story about a cool albino alligator finding a happy home and being safe and cared for. I like that it does teach the facts about Claude's life, but it also shines a light on how animals (and people) tend to treat the different. While some enjoyed the spectacle and like to stare, others took the time to make sure he was safe and happy. I was glad that Claude and his turtle friends are happy together, and that he can play a part in education and research. I was very happy to see that the book includes back matter with answers to frequently asked questions about the famous alligator, including information about albinism in animals.

Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator is a well written story that might inspire kindness to animals, and people, regardless of possible differences.

Book Review: Fossils for Kids: A Junior Scientist's Guide to Dinosaur Bones, Ancient Animals, and Prehistoric Life on Earth by Ashley Hall

Fossils for Kids: A Junior Scientist's Guide to Dinosaur Bones, Ancient Animals, and Prehistoric Life on Earth by Ashley Hall is filled with photographs and facts for junior fossil hunters ages 5 to 9. It includes how fossils form, where they are found, and tips on how to identify them. Start by learning more about some of your favorite dinosaurs—from Velociraptor to Tyrannosaurus rex—and where you can see the coolest dinosaur skeletons. Then discover the creatures that predate even the dinosaurs! You’ll meet famous birds, like the Archaeopteryx, explore tiny invertebrate trilobites, and learn which ancient plant is the source of a delicious drink—root beer!  Readers won’t just be learning about dinosaurs; this book covers mammals, other reptiles, and plant fossils. 

Fossils for Kids is a solid and well organized book that gives a summary of fossil study and finding for young readers. The information is accessible and covers a broad range of information that is valuable to readers just getting started on the topic. The pictures, illustrations, and occasional fact box and sidebar were well placed and added value while keeping the book from becoming too text heavy. I though the book as a whole is a great starting point for readers that are intrigued by fossil hunting, and want to know more about the process both so they can get started and so they can know what the professionals are doing in the field. However, I think that readers that have been interested in the subject for awhile and maybe already read other books on the topic might find it less valuable than those just getting started. 

Fossils for Kids is a good introduction to fossils and related fields for young readers.

Early Book Review: When Darwin Sailed the Sea: Uncover how Darwin's Revolutionary Ideas Helped Change the World by David Long, Sam Kalda

When Darwin Sailed the Sea: Uncover how Darwin's Revolutionary Ideas Helped Change the World, written by David Long and illustrated by Sam Kalda, is currently scheduled for release on July 1 2020. At the age of 22 Charles Darwin clambered up the steps of HMS Beagle, armed with enough notepads to last him for several years and set sail on a journey of exploration that would change his life and how we view the entire world forever. This book tells the story of Charles Darwin, and shows how his revolutionary research changed the world forever. From his fascination with the natural world which began at an early age, his love of collecting new specimens and keen eye for observation, to his groundbreaking theory of evolution, uncover the incredible life of Charles Darwin with this illustrated, narrative non-fiction book. 

When Darwin Sailed the Sea is a book that offers readers a look at Darwin as a person and a scientist. The book does a good job of explaining his interests, determination, and how he collaborated with a variety of people. The information was accessible and interesting.I found the accompanying artwork to be lovely to look at while also adding meaning and detail to the text as appropriate. I learned quite a bit about Darwin, and liked the narrative tone that I think works very well in this format. I will admit that I was not expecting it to be as text heavy as it was, but the style and substance balanced that out. I am hoping some young people reading this will see how hard Darwin worked to follow his interests and be inspired. I really liked the timeline, further information on the people Darwin worked with, and additional information included in the endpages. Good use of this section always makes me happy- and this book delivered. 

When Darwin Sailed the Sea would be a great addition to school, classroom, and public libraries. Some readers will want it for their personal collections as well. 

Early Book Review: Clever Creatures: How Animals and Plants Use Science to Survive by Steve Mould

Clever Creatures: How Animals and Plants Use Science to Survive by Steve Mould is currently scheduled for release on June 23 2020. Meet amazing engineers, such as the spiders who build immense webs stretching over rivers, and funky physicists, like the geckos that can walk upside down on ceilings. Observe crazy chemists, including the sea snail that squirts a sleep-inducing liquid at passing fish, and magnificent mathematicians, like the Venus flytrap that counts to five before consuming its prey! Clever Creatures is an exciting introduction to some of nature's smartest animals and plants. It's filled with spectacular photographs of the weird, obscure and downright disgusting and the science behind each genius adaptation is explained clearly.

Clever Creatures is a well organized and formatted book that introduces the unique abilities and survival strategies of plants and animals in terms of the scientific fields of people. Each page has bold colors, combining clever illustrations, photographs, and text that explains how a variety of living creatures use physics, chemistry, and other tools that can fit into the scientific classifications we use. I thought the set up by scientific category was a little contrived and a bit unnecessary- these creatures have amazing abilities that are pure nature and instinct. I think people go a little too far trying to fit things into neat little boxes rather than simply enjoying the complexity and unique nature of the world. However, it did work and the information and layout used was all very interesting. Much of the information was things that I have heard or read before, because these types of skill and abilities are what fascinates me about nature, but I did still learn a few things and enjoyed the book.

I think Clever Creatures will be a winner with many readers that enjoy nature and science. 

Early Book Review: The Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life by Barry Cox; R. J. G. Savage; Brian Gardiner; Colin Harrison

The Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life by Barry Cox, R. J. G. Savage, Brian Gardiner, and Colin Harrison​ is currently scheduled for release on May 19 2020. There are entries for more than 600 species, arranged in its evolutionary sequence.  From predatory dinosaurs to primitive amphibians, from giant armored fish to woolly mammoths, saber-tooth tigers, and dire wolves. Each entry features a specially commissioned full-color painting prepared according to the best research of today in close collaboration with world renowned paleontologists. The records of rocks—fossil bones, teeth, skin, hair, and even footprints and nests—have been combined with knowledge of the anatomy and behavior of present day descendants to arrive at informed judgments about posture, color, and other aspects of appearance. Lively and informative "biographies" of the creatures accompany these remarkable illustrations: how they moved, what they ate, where they ranged, and the habitats and ecological niches they occupied.

The Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia is a comprehensive guide to over 600 species of dinosaurs. Information about fossils, evolution, and other related subjects. It is well organized and highly detailed, with beautiful artwork and well structured pages the book is easy to browse, read in order, or search up a favorite bit of information.  I really like that an effort was made to compare  the subject to current animals- making the information more understandable and accessible to readers. The artwork and images were wonderful on their own, but in context of the book they were valuable and add a great deal to the overall read. 

This book would be a prized addition to a personal library for those with interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric times. It would also be a great addition to public, school, and classroom libraries. 

Early Book Review: Something Wonderful by Matt Ritter, Nayl Gonzalez

Something Wonderful, written  by Matt Ritter and illustrated by Nayl Gonzalez, is a children's nonfiction picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on April 22 2020. 

This educational and interactive picture book immerses the reader in the strange and interwoven lifecycles of a tropical fig tree in the rainforest, and the tiny insects and colorful creatures that call it home. The delectable fig fruit is hungrily eaten by a passing toucan who, upon flight, aimlessly drops a seed from its poop into the treetops below, beginning the fig’s lifecycle once again. Discover additional scientific information about the pollination process, insects, and animals found in the story in an illustrated section at the end of the book. Readers can play a “seek and find” game of locating the elusive red-eyed tree frog on each page of the story. Take a journey, from the tiny to the grandiose, while making your way through the tropical rainforest on the path to uncover Something Wonderful…

Something Wonderful is a picturebook that informs and entertains. The life cycle of the fig is odd, and while I knew bits of it, which honestly has me less than eager to actually eat a fig, but I learned much more here. I liked the balance of text on each page, and the information was interesting and well worded. I appreciated the artwork, and thought that the book is worth a look just for the images in the book. I liked the hunt for the tree frog on each page, it adds a layer of inter-activeness that will keep readers interested and engaged. I think this book will appeal to a number of readers, would be a good addition to libraries and classrooms as well as personal collections. 

Book Review: Once Upon a Word: A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids—Building Vocabulary Through Etymology, Definitions & Stories by Jess Zafarris

Once Upon a Word: A Word-Origin Dictionary for Kids—Building Vocabulary Through Etymology, Definitions & Stories by Jess Zafarris shows readers of all ages that the English language is made up of words from different places, events, and periods of time. Each of those words has an exciting story to tell us about where, when, how, and why they came about. It has easy-to-understand definitions and awesome word-origin stories, helping readers understand the history and meaning of English words, improve vocabulary and spelling, and learn to play with language. Explore how weird words like gnome, fun words like zombie, and common words like caterpillar came to exist. Discover why some words sound funnier than others (like cackle, sizzle, and twang) and why some groups of words start with the same few letters (like hydrate, hydrogen, and fire hydrant). 

Once Upon a Word is an accessible and entertaining resource for readers of all ages. I like that it uses the history of words, the building blocks of words, and how different languages have created and continue to change the English language. After the rundown on the building blocks and things that have shaped language starts the actually dictionary part of the book- explaining each word in detail. This is a great tool for gaining a better understanding of favorite or interesting words, but it is not the most entertaining part. I really enjoyed the two sections that follow, which explore food  and music related words. Since food and music are two of my favorite things I found this to be very interesting.  I think that this would be a good classroom or school library resource for middle grade readers and older. However, it might also be helpful to those approaching the high school horrors of standardized tests that seem to be very important to their adults. The understanding of the roots and building blocks of words that are laid out in the beginning of the book can help all readers with their vocabulary and the ability to guess the correct meaning of most words- especially in a multiple choice test. I thought that some of the color and formatting choices really broke up the text on the pages nicely, making the read book as a whole less intimidating to readers. 

Once Upon a Word is a well organized and written resources that will help its readers understand some of the building blocks and influences of the English language while offering some humor and interesting tidbits along the way.

Early Book Review: Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist by L Rader Crandall

Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist by L Rader Crandall is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2020. From a lost city in the desert to a cave alight with thousands of glowworms, learn about some of the most unusual places on earth and the myths, legends, and history behind each of them! Looking at places like The Skeleton Coast in Namibia, Wizard Island in the United States, and The Fairy Tale Route in Germany, This book takes young readers on a journey around the world to real places that sound straight out of fantasy. Featuring both natural and man-made wonders, this travel book combines history and storytelling to explore the far reaches of the earth.

Dark Hedges, Wizard Island, and Other Magical Places That Really Exist takes stories from history and legends and connects them to the places they are about. The history of castles, sieges, and wizard origins are shared with the information about the location you can visit that is tied into these stories. Some of these stories I had heard before, but many were new to me. I thought the tone was conversational and matter of fact, making the text accessible and enjoyable to readers. I liked that the locations were from all around the world, and no culture or group of people were set apart as bad or other- which often happens in historic or legend based text. The photography was stunning, and I adored the detailed bibliography- citing sources and encouraging further reading in the process always makes me happy even if I know a good number of readers are likely to ignore this section. 

Book Review: Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist by Sylvia Acevedo

Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist by Sylvia Acevedo is a memoir for young readers about a Latina rocket scientist whose early life was transformed by joining the Girl Scouts and who currently serves as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA. A meningitis outbreak in their underprivileged neighborhood left Sylvia Acevedo’s family forever altered. As she struggled in the aftermath of loss, young Sylvia’s life transformed when she joined the Brownies. The Girl Scouts taught her how to take control of her world and nourished her love of numbers and science. With new confidence, Sylvia navigated shifting cultural expectations at school and at home, forging her own trail to become one of the first Latinx to graduate with a master's in engineering from Stanford University and going on to become a rocket scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Path to the Stars is a memoir that talks about family problems, and other issues that Sylvia faced in her life, but does not focus on them. Nor does it have a bragging tone to it, which sometimes happens. Insted, this is an honest and straightforward story of one person's life and how hard work and encouragement can make a difference. I was a Girl Scout myself, so I was very interested to see how something that played a role in my own life affected someone else, particularly someone with such amazing accomplishments. I was not disappointed with this read in any way. I liked the honest way she shared her childhood, laying no blame on her parents but sharing the way their family life and particularly her father's beliefs affected her. I liked seeing how she worked for changes in her own life, and her own future, that varied from the beliefs that she did not agree with. A good deal of the book focuses on those formative years, which makes sense since this book is aimed at the middle grade market, but I would love to see a later book for young adults, and new adults, that focuses more on the college years and later. I also have to say that I liked her not to the readers at the end of the book, and the information about the Girl Scouts that she included afterword. I also like the pictures that she included.

Path to the Stars is a wonderful memoir for middle grade readers, and everyone else.  

Early Book Review: The Bat by Elise Gravel

The Bat by Elise Gravel is an illustrated nonfiction book about bats perfect for beginning readers. It is currently scheduled for release on February 4 2020. This book uses conversational text and silly illustrations to teach readers about habitat (bats live everywhere except Antarctica!), species (there are over 1,200 kinds of bats), echolocation, hibernation (bats hibernate just like bears!), conservation (don't disturb a sleeping bat!) and much more. Although silly and off-the-wall, it contains factual information that will both amuse and teach at the same time.

The Bat gives the youngest readers a good introduction to facts about bats. There are some interesting facts, and important information about safety and why bats are not scary. The illustrations are fun and bold, with a touch of silly to keep the readers engaged.The text and images on each page work together perfectly and keep the narrative moving along nicely.  I found the balance of fun and fact to be good for those readers with short attention spans, and that prefer the sillier stories to non fiction text. I think this would be a hit with the  preschool and lower elementary school crowd. 

Early Book Review: The Surprising Lives of Animals: How They Can Laugh, Play and Misbehave! by Anna Claybourne

The Surprising Lives of Animals: How They Can Laugh, Play and Misbehave! by Anna Claybourne is a non fiction children's book currently scheduled for release on February 4 2020. Did you know that some animals giggle and play just like us? Or that certain animals build their homes, stockpile their food, and use tools? In this book you’ll learn about the things that humans and animals have in common. From team work, exercise, and self-care to dancing and getting into trouble, you’ll discover that, actually, animals are a lot like you! Visiting underground burrows and grassy savannas, watery realms, and towering tree tops, this book will take you around the world on a journey of discovery. Meet the monkeys who love to take baths, or the penguins who toboggan for fun. Hear the stories of escaping honey badgers, sneaky spiders, and clever crows. Or find out if animals can really talk. You’ll see plenty of Earth’s creatures, from creepy crawlies to mega mammals, and you’ll learn about their lives, habitats, characteristics, and behaviors–and uncover what makes each of them so surprisingly similar to us humans. Look out for ‘Scientist Spotlight’ boxes too, to learn about some important scientists and conservationists, such as Sir David Attenborough and Dame Jane Goodall.

The Surprising Lives of Animals is a wonderful nonfiction book that shows just how smart, and like people, animals can be in their lives. There was a good deal of information that was new to me, and I like that it was organized by type of behavior rather than animal,  which I felt shows just how universal emotion and some behaviors really are. I found the wide variety of animals, and the variety of climates and locations that they are found, further showed the universal nature I was talking about. I found the information about the animals, their behavior, and the spotlights on scientists that work in the field to all be well written and engaging. I think that the illustrations are well done and add both further details and interest to each page. I found myself studying some of the images for details referred to in the nearby text or just enjoying the skill that went into them. I also like that they took the time to include a glossary and resources for further reading. I can think of many readers, children and adults, that would enjoy this read.

The Surprising Lives of Animals is a wonderful look at just how much the behavior of animals mirrors human behavior. It teaches a great deal about the animals and the behaviors covered, and could be a good tool to encourage empathy and care for all creatures.