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Books: Ages 4-8

Math Curse
by: Jon Scieszka, illustrated by: Lane Smith

Did you ever wake up to one of those days where everything is a problem? You have 10 things to do, but only 30 minutes until your bus leaves. Is there enough time? You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can you make 1 good outfit? Then you start to wonder: Why does everything have to be such a problem? Why do 2 apples always have to be added to 5 oranges? Why do 4 kids always have to divide 12 marbles? Why can't you just keep 10 cookies without someone taking 3 away? Why? Because you're the victim of a Math Curse. That's why. But don't despair. This is one girl's story of how that curse can be broken.

How Machines Work: Zoo Break!
By: David Macaulay

Sloth and his sidekick Sengi are two furry friends on hand to guide you through the book and break down the basics. They’ll give you the lowdown on levers, pulleys, screws, inclined planes, wedges, and wheels on this intrepid adventure. You’ll find out how all different technologies work, from bicycles, cranes, and drills to diggers, hammers, and zips. Along the way, you’ll help Sloth and Sengi plot their daring escape from the zoo using only newfound scientific knowledge to make a machine designed for break outs and break aways. But will they succeed? Grab this essential guide, get your brain in gear, and get set for engineering greatness.

Fairy Science
By: Ashley Spires

All the fairies in Pixieville believe in magic...except Esther. She believes in science.
When a forest tree stops growing, all the fairies are stumped including Esther. But not for long! Esther knows that science can get to the root of the problem--and its solution! Whether you believe in fairy magic or the power of science, you will be charmed by Esther, the budding fairy scientist.

What's the Weather?
by Fraser Ralston and Judith Ralston

From heatwaves and big freezes to tornadoes and fog, this science book gives your budding meteorologist a glimpse into all the action that happens in the sky. Learn about all kinds of weather and marvel at how powerful it can be! At a time when extreme weather is becoming more and more common, this eco-focused book is perfect for getting your little one clued up about the environment. Throughout the pages of this colorful and energetic STEM book, your child will discover fun facts about the weather. They will also gain insight into serious topics such as global warming and how our climate is changing.

Once Upon a Star
by James Carter and Mar Hernandez

Discover the origins of the universe and how our solar system was formed. The narrative verse takes the reader on an immersive journey through space and time, illuminated by striking, dynamic illustrations. The worlds of poetry and non-fiction collide to create a beautiful, unique picture book about our Sun.

The simple science activity book
by Jane Bull

The Simple Science Activity Book contains more than 20 fun-filled craft projects, each accompanied by a ‘What’s the science?’ section explaining how key scientific concepts work. Children can enjoy getting stuck in and learn how to make a toy raft and discover what makes their boat float, or how to create an ice sculpture and learn about the changing states of solids and liquids.  They’ll discover the world around them like they’ve never seen it before!

Books: Ages 8-12

Kate the Chemist Series
by Kate Biberdorf

Kate the Chemist is a ten-year-old science problem solver. There's no problem Kate can't fix! When her best friend, Birdie, is cast as the lead unicorn in their school's musical Dragons vs. Unicorns, and Kate is chosen to be the assistant director, they agree this is going to be the best musical EVER! Kate is a natural assistant director; like all good scientists, she's smart and organized, but she also comes up with great ideas. But when everything starts going wrong with the musical and Kate realizes someone is sabotaging the show, will her special science sleuthing skills help save the day--and the show?

How We got to now
by Steven Johnson

In the lively storytelling style that has made him a popular, bestselling author, Steven Johnson looks at how accidental genius, brilliant mistakes, and unintended consequences shape the way we live in the modern world. Johnson's "long zoom" approach connects history, geography, politics, and scientific advances with the deep curiousity of inventors or quirky interests of tinkerers to show how innovation truly comes about. 

Nick and Tesla series
by Steve Hockensmith and Bob Pflugfelder

Summer break is about to get weird. After their parents disappear, twins Nick and Tesla are sent to live with their Uncle Newt, an eccentric inventor with his very own science lab. Soon, the young sleuths find themselves investigating a mysterious family right in their own neighborhood. As they race to uncover the truth, Nick and Tesla must build a bottle rocket launcher, a 9-volt battery burglar alarm, and an electromagnet picker-upper to save the day.

The Boy who harnessed the wind
by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.

Strange but true!
by DK

Did you know there's a plant that eats mice? Or that you can dip your toe in a rainbow-colored river? From fiery tornadoes flying across the sky to huge sinkholes eating up the earth, each example is illustrated with jaw-dropping images and handy fast facts that provide the explanations behind the stories.

Girls Who Code series
by Stacia Deutsch

Loops, variables, input/output – Lucy can’t wait to get started with the new coding club at school. Finally, an after school activity that she’s really interested in. But Lucy’s excitement turns to disappointment when she’s put into a work group with girls she barely knows. All she wanted to do was make an app that she believes will help someone very special to her. Suddenly, Lucy begins to get cryptic coding messages and needs some help translating them. She soon discovers that coding – and friendship – takes time, dedication, and some laughs!

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