At the intersection of wondering kids, science facts, guiding grownups, and amazing books is a magical place of scientific curiosity and exploration. It is here you’ll find NSTA Kids, part of the National Science Teachers Association, dedicated to creating books that share science facts and fun with question-loving young readers. NSTA Kids offers young readers and the grownups who guide them opportunities to explore both how science works, and the infinite why’s of the workings of our planet and the universe beyond. Explore these examples of some of NSTA Kids’ illuminating and exciting science books!
Dear Ms. Guadalupe: Letters to My Librarian
Letter-writing know-how meets a nine-year-old’s passion for paleontology in DEAR MS. GUADALUPE. Author Patricia Vermillion combines language skills and science fun to share a series of letters between dinosaur-loving Joey and his school librarian. As readers follow the chain of paleontology fact-filled letters, they glean not only plenty of prehistoric information, but also learn the format and etiquette of letter writing. Bringing this multi-disciplinary fun to life are Lauren Olliver’s bright and personable illustrations.
Next Time You See a Snowflake
The beauty and magic of falling snow become all the more fascinating in the fact-filled exploration of Emily Morgan’s NEXT TIME YOU SEE A SNOWFLAKE. Curious young readers will discover how snowflakes form, why they have six sides, and what weather conditions are needed for them to appear. Enchanting photos and clear, question-sparking text offer weather-curious young minds plenty of answers to their snowy questions.
Storytime from Space is a project of the Global Space Education Foundation that connects video-watching kids with astronauts posted to the International Space Station who read aloud kids’ books! Featured on the show (and available in the rich YouTube library maintained by the program) IS NSTA Kids’ NOTABLE NOTEBOOKS: Scientists and their Writings by Jessica Fries-Gaither, read for us by Astronaut Joseph Acaba. Sit back, tune in, and discover!
And more…
There are plenty of titles teachers, librarians, and parents will discover once you dig into the extensive NSTA Kids’ catalog. Two of the long-running series are “Next Time You See,” geared to elementary school-aged readers and collections, and “I Wonder Why,” for youngers kids. All are trade books available without association connections—but who knows? You, too, might want to become a scientist!
Look inside QUIET AS A BUTTERFLY by Lawrence Lowery, Science Educator