By Nina Schuyler, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 12, 2012
It’s summertime with its big bowl of a blue sky. Outside becomes another room, with open fields and the whir and buzz of bugs and baseball, and the voice of the water and the touch of sand.
Day One of summer, my son asks, “Now what?” So we ride our bikes to the library and load our backpacks with books about summer. Here’s a list to fill up the baggy pockets of summertime.
Summer and the Outside World
Oceans: Making Waves!
Created by Simon Basher, written by Dan Green and Dr. Frances Dipper
Oceans: Making Waves! created by Simon Basher and written by Dan Green and Dr. Frances Dipper (independent marine consultant) takes kids underwater to discover mountains taller than anything on dry land, and trenches deeper than Mount Everest is high. Green personifies the aspects of the ocean. Here’s the Tide talking: “I’m a bit of a lunatic! As the Moon passes overhead, the water in the ocean feels a tug toward it. That’s gravity. In fact the whole planet feels this force of attraction…” Filled with interesting facts that make you see the world of the ocean with new eyes (the giant kelp grows up to 20 inches (50 cm) per day!)
Ages 10-15 | Publisher: Kingfisher | March 27, 2012
The Secret World of Whales
By Charles Siebert; illustrated by Molly Baker
You’ll learn in The Secret World of Whales by Charles Siebert, illustrated by Molly Baker that the human brain and the whale brain are surprisingly similar and the sperm whale has the largest brain on earth, weighing more than 19 pounds (8.6 kilograms). Siebert explores the history, legends stories and science of whales. By the end, as the author did, you’ll want to have your own face-to-face encounter with this amazing creature.
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | April 20, 2011
Citizen Scientists
By Loree Griffin Burns; photography by Ellen Harasimowicz
Summer means getting outside and Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin Burns, photography by Ellen Harasimowicz shows you how to engage with the natural world in a scientific way. You’ll discover how to capture and tag a Monarch butterfly without damaging its wings, and you’ll learn to distinguish be
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