Kid Scientist series
Marine Biologists on a Dive
Archaeologists on a Dig
written by Sue Fliess
illustrated by Mia Powell
published by Albert Whitman
In the first two books of the Kid Scientist series, young readers get to explore the field of marine biology and archeology. So whether you want to dig or dive, author Sue Fliess and illustrator Mia Powell have you covered!
Both texts feature fictional scientist teams that are in the field for a specific purpose. In the marine book, the scientists are studying a whale pod. Each diver has a specific task they are working on and studying. Some studies include whale sounds and communications, others are behaviors of the whales in the pod, and the health of the food the pod is eating. Animal conservation is also mentioned because the biologists even help a young whale that has been entangled in a fishing net.
The archaeologist book has readers visiting one of the world's biggest religious temples, Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Sam's team is looking for artifacts to learn more about the people and history from that time period. The author shows us step by step the process archaeologists take when searching for artifacts in an area, and then what happens once items are discovered. I loved learning about a process scientists use to figure out how old an artifact is by using a machine that uses thermoluminescence lighting. A piece of the artifact is crushed and added to the machine. It is heated up and based upon the amount of light it gives off, the machine can calculate how old it is. So cool!
I like that each book mentions the scientific method. Readers get a feel for how scientists might use it in that field of study. The steps of the scientific method are included in the backmatter. And speaking of backmatter, each book has even more information about the scientific fields at the end of the book. Between additional sources, a deeper explanation of that particular scientist, and how to become a scientist in that field, readers will leave with a new sense of understanding of that scientific career!
These texts are perfect for a read aloud and will absolutely inspire some young scientists in your classroom!
Would you like to add a copy of these books to your library? Publisher Albert Whitman has generously donated a copy of each book for giveaway! Enter by Friday, April 29th for your chance to win (US residents).
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