Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of “a life living with and helping all animals,” until one day she finds that her dream has come true. With anecdotes taken directly from her autobiography, McDonnell makes this very true story accessible for the very young–and young at heart. 1-6 years
Chimpanzee Children of Gombe
By Jane Goodall, Photographs by Michael Neugebauer
This book is filled with photos of many of the chimpanzee babies, toddlers, and young adults that live in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, where the Jane Goodall research center is located. Dr. Goodall has campaigned unceasingly for the protection of the chimpanzee—now an endangered species—and this moving, personal account will educate readers about the many threats to the animals in the wild and inspire readers of all ages to join in her vital work. 5-7 years
Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees
By Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Gustavo Mazali
Learn about the life of Jane Goodall, a pioneering scientist who became the worlds expert on chimpanzees, in this early reader biography.
She was the first person to study wild chimpanzees up close in a rain forest. She befriended the chimps and discovered amazing facts about their behaviors. What she learned forever changed how people look at these animals.
Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in Jane Goodall’s life in this Level Two I Can Read biography. This biography includes a timeline and photos all about the life of this inspiring scientist. Preschool – 3rd Grade
You Are a Star Jane Goodall
By Dean Robbins, Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, hilarious comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to an scientific trailblazer. You Are a Star, Jane Goodall focuses on Jane’s lifelong mission to understand the chimpanzees and protect the planet. Hatem Aly’s spot-on comic illustrations bring this icon to life, and back matter instructs readers on how to be more like Jane! 5-7 years
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
By Jeannette Winter
Follow Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Gombe, Tanzania, invited by the brilliant scientist Louis Leakey to observe chimps, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates, who are now in danger of extinction. Young animal lovers will welcome this moving portrait of an extraordinary person and the animals to whom she has dedicated her life. 4-8 years
Jane Goodall: A Life with Chimpanzees
By Anita Ganeri
Bring history home and meet some of the world’s greatest game changers! Get inspired by the true story of a famous researcher who studied chimpanzees. This biography series is for kids who loved Who Was? and are ready for the next level.
In July 1960, Jane Goodall went into the wilderness in Tanzania to study chimpanzees. For years she camped out with the chimps, observing their behavior and making amazing discoveries! Jane had always been fascinated by animals and knew she wanted to make learning more about them her life’s work. Find out how this girl who loved animals became one of history’s greatest trailblazers! Grades 3-7
Who Is Jane Goodall?
By Roberta Edwards, Illustrated by John O’Brien
A life in the wild!
Jane Goodall, born in London, England, always loved animals and wanted to study them in their natural habitats. So at age twenty-six, off she went to Africa! Goodall’s up-close observations of chimpanzees changed what we know about them and paved the way for many female scientists who came after her. Now her story comes to life in this biography with black-and-white illustrationsthroughout. 8-12 years
Who Is Jane Goodall? A Board Book
By Lisbeth Kaiser, Illustrated by Stanley Chow
The chronology and themes of Jane Goodall’s meaningful life are presented in a masterfully succinct text, with just a few sentences per page. The fresh, stylized illustrations are sure to captivate young readers and adults alike. With a read-aloud biographical summary in the back, this age-appropriate introduction honors and shares the life and work of one of the most influential scientists of our time. 2-4 years
Jane Goodall: Biography for Kids
By William Rice
In 1900, an estimated 1 million chimpanzees lived in the wild. Today, there are only about 340,000. Jane Goodall spent years observing, interacting with, and studying chimpanzees. Her true story is in this easy-to-read, picture-filled biography for kids. She is a wonderful example of how to work hard and follow your dreams. 7-9 years
Jane Goodall Champion for Chimpanzees
By Jodie Shepherd
Jane Goodall loved animals from the time she was a young girl. She dreamed of going to Africa to see the wildlife that lived there. After getting her wish, Goodall went on to become one of the most respected primatologists in the world. Her many discoveries changed the way we look at and treat chimpanzees. 4-7 years
Jane Goodall: Researcher Who Champions Chimpanzees
By Mike Venezia
This biography of Jane Goodall is perfect for young readers, developing scientists, and critical thinkers. It contains cartoon-style illustrations to complement the easy-to-read text and full-color reproductions of sketches and notebooks. 7-9 years
Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas
By Jim Ottaivani, Illustrated by Maris Wicks
Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdiakas were all students of the great Louis Leakey. Each made profound contributions to primatology―and to our own understanding of ourselves. Primates, a graphic novel, is an accessible, entertaining, and informative look at the field of primatology and at the lives of three of the most remarkable women scientists of the twentieth century. 12-18 years
The books descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering. She wanted to be an astronaut. Her mom told her, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”
Matched with her mother’s encouraging words, Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination paved the way for her incredible success at NASA. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to travel in space. 4-8 years
Mousetronaut
by Mark Kelly, Illustrated by C.F. Payne
Astronaut Mark Kelly flew with “mice-tronauts” on his first spaceflight aboard space shuttle Endeavour in 2001. Mousetronaut tells the story of a small mouse who wants nothing more than to travel to outer space. He works as hard as the bigger mice to show his readiness for the mission and he is chosen for the flight. While in space, the astronauts are busy with their mission when disaster strikes. Only the smallest member ofthe crew can save the day. 4-8 years
Good Night Astronauts
By Adam Gamble, Illustrated by Mark Jasper
Good Night Astronauts features space camp, spacesuits, an international space station, rocket ships, space food, gravity, the solar system, stars, the atmosphere, walking on the moon, sleeping in space, science, and more. Put your spacesuit on and prepare to blast off! This board book takes little astronauts on a journey through an unforgettable galactic adventure. Little space cadets will learn about life as an astronaut in outer space while being lulled to a dreamy, star-filled sleep. Look out for aliens! Baby-3 years
Astronaut Handbook
By Meghan McCarthy
Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut? Blast off in this nonfiction picture book that transports aspiring space travelers to astronaut school. Take a ride on the “Vomit Comet” and learn how it feels to be weightless. Try a bit of astronaut food like freeze-dried ice cream. Have your measurements taken for your very own space suit. Get ready for liftoff! 3-7 years
The Usborne Official Astronaut’s Handbook
By Louie Stowell, Illustrated by Roger Simo and more
This is a how-to-guide for budding astronauts. It provides a crash course on what it takes to travel into space. This book answers all the big questions, from: “How do rockets work?” and “What do astronauts do all day?” to “How do you use the toilet on a spaceship?” This book explores the technology that astronauts use, from space suits to Soyuz spacecraft, and the scientific experiments performed on the International Space Station. 9years and up
Look to the Stars
By Buzz Aldrin, Illustrated by Wendell Minor
Buzz Aldrin is one of only a handful of astronauts to have walked on the moon. He has a unique perspective about space. This book is an introduction to everything space related. It includes the development of the first rockets, America’s space race with the Soviet Union, details of all the Apollo missions, and learning about the International Space Station. 6-8 years
Astronauts
By Sophie Dussausois, Illustrated by Marc-Etienne Peintre
Blast off with this interactive book: Pull a tab to launch a rocket, lift the flaps to see inside a space suit, or turn the page to land the capsule safely on the ground. Chock-full of age appropriate information, this book is an out-of-this world look at astronauts and what they do. 5-8 years
My Journey to the Stars
By Scott Kelly, Illustrated by Andre Ceolin
Astronaut Scott Kelly wasn’t sure what he wanted to be when he grew up. He struggled in school and often got into trouble with his twin brother, Mark. Then one day, Scott discovered a book about test pilots and astronauts. That book set him on a new path. He first became a pilot and then an astronaut along with his brother. They were the first twin astronauts in history. His greatest accomplishment was commanding the International Space Station and spending almost a year in space. This is the story of anordinary boy who grew up to do extraordinary things. 5-8 years
Astronauts
By Christine Engel
Blast off on an adventure to the International Space Station! Join the astronauts on their long journey. Learn how they work, eat, and sleep in this zero-gravity atmosphere. With its interactive features, kids can make a rocket take off, go on a space walk, and watch the sun rise and set 16 times a day. Board book for 1-4 years
Astronaut: Living in Space
by Kate Hayden
This Level 2 reader explores the fascinating world of an astronaut and tells what it’s like to live in space. Young readers learn what it’s like to hold down a job in zero gravity. 6-9 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
This is the story of Apollo 11 that began on July 16, 1969. Here are the steady astronauts outfitting themselves in their gloves and helmets and strapping and clicking themselves into sideways seats. This is a story of adventure and discovery and of home, seen from far away. 4-10 years
One Giant Leap
By Robert Burleigh, Illustrated by Mike Wimmer
On July 29, 1969, as Americans sat glued to their televisions and radios, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the seemingly impossible. They traveled 240,000 miles through space and set foot on the moon. One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind. Their achievement not only brought the moon within reach, but now everything seemed possible. If it could be imagined, it could be done. 6-8 years
My Little Golden Book About the First Moon Landing
By Charles Lovitt, Illustrated by Bryan Sims
Little ones will learn about the rocket Saturn V, the command module Columbia, and of course the famous lunar lander Eagle, and how they each served to send astronauts into space. Kids will learn who the astronauts were and how they were chosen for the mission. And they’ll learn Neil Armstrong’s unforgettable words in his message back to Earth: “one giant leap for mankind.” Fun facts about the astronauts’ space suits and their work in space round out this picture book. 2-5 years
Apollo’s First Moon Landing: A Fly on the Wall History
By Thomas Kingsley, Illustrated by Jomika Tejido
From a launchpad in Florida to the lunar surface … Two cartoon flies join readers as they blast off into space and step foot on the moon with Neil Armstrong, providing a blend of facts and fun while telling the story of a great moment in space-exploration history. 6-8 years
Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon
By Catherine Thimmesh
The story of Apollo 11, the first moon landing, belongs to many people. It belongs to the seamstress who put together 22 layers of fabric for each space suit. To the engineers who created a special heat shield to protect the capsule during its fiery reentry. It belongs to the flight directors, camera designers, software experts, suit testers, telescope crew, aerospace technicians, photo developers, engineers, and navigators. 10-12 years
One Giant Leap
By Don Brown
As a young boy, Neil Armstrong had a recurring dream in which he held his breath and floated high above the people, houses, and cars. He spent his free time reading stacks of flying magazines, building model airplanes, and staring through the homemade telescope mounted on the roof of his neighbor’s garage.
As a teenager, Neil became obsessed with the idea of flight. He earned his student pilot’s license on his 16th birthday. This is the story of one boy’s dream — a dream of flying that landed him more than 200,000 miles away in space. 4-7 years
Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon
By Judy Donnelly, Illustrated by Dennis Davidson
The astronauts of Apollo 11 made history as the first men to land on the moon. Learn how astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins trained and achieved this momentous feat. Level 5 reader, 7-9 years
Who Was Neil Armstrong
By Roberta Edwards, Illustrated by Stephen Marchesi
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and to an audience of over 450 million people proclaimed his step as “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” The Eagle Scout built his own model planes as a little boy, grew up to be a test pilot for experimental aircraft, and then an astronaut who walked on the moon. 8-12 years
Rocket to the Moon
By Don Brown
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. But it wasn’t just one man who got us to the moon. Rocket to the Moon! explores the people and technology that made the moon landing possible. Instead of examining one person’s life, it focuses on the moon landing itself, showing the events leading up to it and how it changed the world. The book takes readers through the history of rocket building: from ancient Chinese rockets, to “bombs bursting in air” during the War of 1812, to Russia’s Sputnik program, to the moon landing. Beautifully illustrated and well-researched, this book is the perfect resource for curious readers and tomorrow’s scientists. It includes a timeline of space travel, a bibliography, and an index. 8-12 years
Apollo 11: Mission to the Moon
By Courtney Acampora
This Smithsonian Reader celebrates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the first time humans stepped foot on the Moon. From president John F. Kennedy’s declaration to land a man on the Moon to astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first steps, children will learn all about Apollo 11. After reading this introduction to nonfiction, children can use the included quiz to reinforce reading comprehension. 3-5 years
Man on the Moon
By Anastasia Suen, Illustrated by Benrei Huang
It was 1969 and no one had ever set foot on the moon. Some said it couldn’t be done. But astronauts Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong were going to try . . . Here in picture book format is the amazing true story of the first moon landing, when a man set foot on an unexplored world and showed us that the boundaries of our world were limitless. “[A] perfect introduction to space, the space program, and exploration. Thrilling!” (Kirkus Reviews) 3-7 years
Reaching For The Moon
By Buzz Aldrin, Illustrated by Wendell Minor
It’s been fifty years since Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. But the journey didn’t begin when he stepped on board Apollo 11 in July 1969, it began the day he was born. Becoming an astronaut took more than education, discipline, and physical strength. It took years of determination and believing that any goal is possible — from riding a bike alone across the George Washington Bridge at age ten to making a footprint on the moon. We all have our dreams. This is the story of how Buzz Aldrin’s came true. 4-8 years
If You Decide to Go to the Moon
By Faith McNulty, Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
“If you decide to go to the moon,” writes Faith McNulty, “read this book first. It will tell you how to get there and what to do after you land. The most important part tells you how to return home. This book allows the reader to participate in every aspect of the journey from packing, to liftoff, to traveling through space. Readers land at the Sea of Tranquility, the site of the first lunar landing. 4-8 years.
First Man on the Moon
By Ben Hubbard, Illustrated by Alex Orton
An illustrated account of the historic first moon landing in July 1969. The accessible text recounts the story of the first moon landing, from its beginnings in the Space Race, to its early missions, to its successful Apollo 11 voyage with Neil Armstrong’s legendary first steps on the moon and the astronauts’ heart-stopping return to Earth. 8-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
It began in 1865 as a romantic idea. But ten years later Edouard Laboulaye’s dream catches fire and takes shape. Sculptor Auguste Bartholdi gives the dream the form of a lady holding a torch to “enlighten the world.” Engineers, plasterers, carpenters, and coppersmiths work together to turn the lady into a 100-foot tall monument. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer asks readers to help fund a pedestal. Hundreds of people send in nickels, dimes, and even roosters for the cause. 8-12 years
Let Liberty Rise! How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty
By Chana Stiefel, Illustrated by Chuch Groenink
On America’s 100th birthday, the people of France built a giant gift! It was one of the largest statues the world had ever seen — and she weighed as much as 40 elephants! And when she arrived on our shores in 250 pieces, she needed a pedestal to hold her up. Few of America’s millionaires were willing to foot the bill.
Then, Joseph Pulitzer (a poor Hungarian immigrant-cum-newspaper mogul) appealed to his fellow citizens. He invited them to contribute whatever they could, no matter how small an amount, to raise funds to mount this statue. The next day, pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters poured in. Soon, Pulitzer’s campaign raised enough money to construct the pedestal. And with the help of everyday Americans (including many thousands of schoolchildren!) the Statue of Liberty rose skyward, torch ablaze, to welcome new immigrants for a life of freedom and opportunity! 6-8 years
Her Right Foot
By Dave Eggers, Illustrated by Shawn Harris
This is a fun take on nonfiction that investigates a seemingly small trait of the Statue of Liberty. What is found is more than history, and more than art. It is a powerful message of acceptance that is essential to America’s creation. 6-9 years
Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?
By Martha E. H. Rustad, Illustrated by Holli Conger
Do you know that the Statue of Liberty hasn’t always looked green? Or that the first torch had to be replaced? Lady Liberty has been an important United States symbol for more than one hundred years. Join Mrs. Bolt’s class as they visit the statue and learn where it came from, how she was built, and what American ideals she stands for. 5-8 years
My Little Golden Book About the Statue of Liberty
By Jen Arena, Illustrated by Viviana Garofoli
Now the littlest readers can learn about how the Statue of Liberty came to be—and what it means to people all over the world.
Preschoolers will learn the fascinating story behind the creation of the Statue of Liberty. Simple words and bright artwork bring to life the story of the people—a professor, a sculptor, a poet, a newspaperman—who helped establish this famous landmark. Little ones will learn that the torch was created first, in time for America’s 100th birthday, and displayed in a park. And they’ll gain a clear understanding of what the Statue of Liberty has always meant to people around the world. Fun facts, such as how schoolchildren gave their pennies to help pay for the base of the statue, complete this nonfiction Little Golden Book. 2-5 years
Saving Lady Liberty: Joseph Pulitzer’s Fight for the Statue of Liberty
By Claudia Friddell, Illustrated by Stacy Innerst
Here is the story of how the Statue of Liberty got its pedestal when Joseph Pulitzer, a Jewish immigrant and famous newsman, created one of the first American crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for it.
When Joseph Pulitzer first saw the Statue of Liberty’s head in Paris, he shared sculptor Auguste Bartholdi’s dream of seeing France’s gift of friendship stand in the New York harbor. Pulitzer loved words, and the word he loved best was liberty. Frustrated that many, especially wealthy New Yorkers, were not interested in paying for the statue’s needed pedestal, Pulitzer used his newspaper, the New York World, to call on all Americans to contribute. This is the inspiring story of how one immigrant brought together young and old, rich and poor, to raise funds for the completion of a treasured national monument. 7-10 years
The Statue of Liberty (Blast Back!)
By Nancy Ohlin, Illustrated by Roger Simó
When people think about the Statue of Liberty, that iconic statue will surely come to mind. But why do we have that statue, and who is that woman anyway? This nonfiction book, complete with black and white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they’ve traveled back in time. It covers everything from how the statue was built to the history behind its creation and more. Find out interesting, little-known facts such as how it almost didn’t get built and how the man who designed the Eiffel Tower designed the “spine” of the statue. 7-10 years
Liberty Arrives! How America’s Grandest Statue Found Her Home
By Robert Byrd
America’s most iconic national symbol was a gift from France to the United States–provided America raised the money for the pedestal on which it was to stand. Urged on by the publisher Joseph Pulitzer, it was raised, largely with the help of children, in the first example of a crowd sourced fund-raising campaign. This book tells the story of the best gift ever: how it was designed, created, transported, and then finally erected on its pedestal in the entrance to New York Harbor. Readable text is enhanced with illustrations chock-full of historical detail. 6-9 years
Naming Liberty
By Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Jim Burke
This book weaves together two stories at once as readers see young Gitl in Russia leaving her home for America. She wonders what new name she will choose for herself when she arrives. And artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi dreams of a monument he wants to build honoring freedom. It is an arduous journey for Gitl as she and her family travel across land and sea to arrive on America’s shore. When she sees the magnificent Statue of Liberty, she knows her name must be Liberty too. 6-9 years
The Story of the Statue of Liberty
By Betsy Maestro, Illustrated by Giulio Maestro
“Written for the youngest audience…the text is very simple yet manages to convey all the major events in Liberty’s creation…” — Horn Book 6-10 years
What is the Statue of Liberty?
By Joan Holub, Illustrated by John Hinderliter
In 1876, France decided to give to the United States a very big and very special present — the Statue of Liberty. The gift was to commemorate the 100th birthday of the United States. This is the story of how the 111-foot-tall lady took her place in New York Harbor. 8-12 years
The Statue of Liberty
By Elaine Landau
This book details the history of the Statue of Liberty, where it came from, who designed it, and its significance in American culture and history. 7-9 years
Emma’s Poem
By Linda Glaser, Illustrated by Claire A. Nivola
In 1883, Emma Lazarus, deeply moved by an influx of immigrants from eastern Europe, wrote a sonnet that gave a voice to the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift from France to celebrate America’s national struggles for liberty and independence from Great Britain. Because of Emma’s poem, the Statue of Liberty came to define America as a nation that welcomes immigrants. 4-8 years
The Statue of Liberty
By Lucille Recht Penner, Illustrated by Jada Rowland
Over 125 years ago our beloved Statue of Liberty made its way to New York Harbor. This is the story of how Lady Liberty was sculpted, made its way from France, unveiled, and became an American icon. Level 2, 4-6 years.
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
Galileo’s contributions were numerous. They included the telescope and the microscope. And his ideas were world-changing especially the sun-centric solar system. Albert Einstein called him “the father of modern science.” But in his own time he was branded a heretic and imprisoned in his home. He was a man who insisted on his right to pursue the truth, no matter what the cost. This made his life as interesting and instructive as his ideas. 8-12 years
Starry Messenger
By Peter Sis
In every age there are courageous people who break with tradition to explore new ideas and challenge accepted truths. Galileo Galilei was just such a man, a genius, and the first to turn the telescope to the skies to map the heavens. In doing so, he offered objective evidence that the earth was not the fixed center of the universe but that it and all the other planets revolved around the sun. He kept careful notes and made beautiful drawings of all that he observed. Through his telescope he brought the stars down to earth foreveryone to see. 6-10 years
Who Was Galileo?
By Patricia Brennan Demuth, Illustrated by John O’Brien
Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era’s great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. He turned long-held ideas about the universe topsy turvy with his support of a sun-centric solar system. This brilliant man lived in a time when speaking scientific truth to those in power was still a dangerous proposition. 8-12 years
Galileo Galilei and the Movement of the Planets (Graphic Biography)
By Jordi Bayarri Dolz
Galileo Galilei believed in the power of scientific observation over traditional ideas. His close study of the night sky helped support the theory that planets move around the sun. His defiant personality made him powerful enemies. This graphic biography covers Galilei’s life from his early work with projectiles to his revolutionary look at the cosmos. It also depicts the backlash to his bold ideas and his trial under the Inquisition. 10-14 years
Galileo! Galileo!
By Holly Trechter and Jane Donovan
For hundreds of years, people have dreamed of Jupiter, the king of the planets. But the trip across the solar system is so long and dangerous that it seems almost impossible. This is the incredible, true story of NASA’s Galileo Mission. It’s narrated by the medieval genius Galileo, who connects with middle-grade readers in a humorous way. Strap in for this epic adventure of imagination, brilliance, and plain old grit. 8-12 years
Galileo Galilei and the Pisa Tower:
A Bilingual Picture Book About the Italian Astonomer
(Italian and English Text)
By Nancy Bach, Illustrated by Leo Latti
Young readers and language learners will find this bilingual book easy to read and understand. This simple story introduces the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, his life, work and discoveries. All ages
Along Came Galileo
By Jeanne Bendick
One of the most important figures to come out of the awakening world of the Renaissance was Galileo Galilei. Often referred to as the “Archimedes of his time, Galileo was forever asking questions. Is it possible to measure heat? Is it possible to weigh air? Does the earth stand still or does it move? How fast do objects fall to the earth? His questions led to some of the most important answers of the scientific world and to his contributions to astronomy, physics, and mathematics. All ages
Galileo for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 25 Activities
By Richard Panchyk
Galileo, one of history’s best-known scientists, made revolutionary discoveries and proposed sometimes controversial theories that changed his world and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and physics. The activities in this book allow children to try some of Galileo’s experiments on their own. 9 and up
Galileo’s Journal 1609-1610
By Jeanne Pettenati, Illustrated by Paolo Rui
On his summer vacation, Galileo Galilei hears about the newly invented telescope and decides to build one of his own. Turning his new “spyglass” to the night sky, he sees things that no one has ever seen before. He discovers that the Milky Way is made of stars, and that the moon has mountains. He notices a strange formation of “stars” that will eventually turn people’s understanding of the world upside down. Fictional journal accounts capture the famousItalian scientist’s curiosity and wonder as he makes some of the most amazing discoveries in history. 6-9 years
Galileo: The Genuis Who Charted the Universe
By Phillip Steele
Galileo made the first effective use of the refracting telescope to discover important new facts about astronomy. His observations led him to support Copernicus’s claim that Earth and the other planets circled the sun. His genius lay in the way he approached scientific problems. He reduced problems to simple terms on the basis of experience and common-sense logic. Then he analyzed and resolved the problems according to simple mathematicaldescriptions, opening the way for the development of modern mathematical physics. 8-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Albert Einstein’s name is a synonym for genius. His wild case of bedhead and his playful sense of humor made him a media superstar, the first, maybe only, scientist-celebrity. He wasn’t much for lab work. In fact, he had a tendency to blow up experiments. What he liked to do was think in “thought experiments.” What was the result of all his thinking? Nothing less than the overturning of Newtonian physics. 8-12 years
On a Beam of Light: The Story of Albert Einstein
By Jennifer Berne, Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
Travel along with Einstein on a journey full of curiosity, laughter, and scientific discovery. See how imagination can make a powerful difference in a life. 6-9 years
Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein
By Don Brown
When he was born in 1879, Albert was a peculiarly fat baby with an unusually big and misshaped head. When he was a child, he hit his sister, frustrated his teachers, and had few friends. But his childhood also included his brilliant capacity for puzzles and problem solving. He set his mind spinning with ideas. His ideas were destined to change the way we know and understand the world and our place in the universe. 4-7 years
Who Was Albert Einstein?
By Jess Braillier, Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker
Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein, but what exactly did he do? How much do kids really know about him besides his funny hair and genius label? Here’s the story of his life told in a funny, engaging way that explores the world he lived in and changed. 3-7 years.
Albert Einstein: A Curious Mind
By Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Gustavo Mazzali
Albert Einstein was a famous scientist who questioned everything—even the laws of physics! Einstein’s innovative thinking paved the way for many important inventions and discoveries that helped shape the world we live in.
Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in Albert Einstein’s life in this Level Two I Can Read. This biography includes a timeline and photos about the life of this inspiring scientist.
This book is a Guided Reading Level Q and a Level Two I Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. 4-8 years
Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity
By Jordi Bayarri
Albert Einstein’s restless intelligence drove him to ponder the biggest topics the universe has to offer: light, time, mass, energy, and more. His conclusions changed the way people thought about the laws of physics. But first, he had to pass his university entrance exams. This graphic biography traces Einstein’s path from his home country of Germany to his studies in Switzerland to his time in the United States. It also follows his life as an international scientific celebrity and his refusal to stay silent in the face of anti-Semitism. 10-14 years
Albert Einstein: Genius of Space and Time
By Mark Shulman, Illustrated by Kelly Tindall
By any measure, Albert Einstein changed the ways we understand—and measure—space and time. At first his ideas were ridiculed, but soon they were idolized. Prior to World War II, Einstein was a celebrated figure in Germany, but when the Nazi Party rose to power in the 1930s, he fled for his life and eventually settled in the United States. This proved to be a crucial decision, as his knowledge of physics helped the United States develop the atomic bomb and win the war. Albert Einstein: Genius of Space and Time! recounts the life of the world’s most famous scientist—from his youth in Germany to his final years in the United States. 8-12 years
Albert Einstein and Relativity for Kids
By Jerome Pohlen
Albert Einstein made a lasting impact on the world of science with his genius, fascinating life, and unique personality. This book features lots of science activities. Ages 9 and up
Albert Einstein: National Geographic Readers
By Libby Romero
Explore one of the most recognized scientists in the world with this biography. Kids will learn about his life, achievements, and the challenges he faced along the way. 6-9 years
Albert Einstein
By Frieda Wishinsky
This DK biography tackles one of the most colorful figures in science history. Ages 10 and up
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Thomas Edison grew up at a time when children went to work to help support their families. At age twelve or thirteen, he sold newspapers on the train that ran from his hometown, Port Huron, Michigan, to Detroit.
In his free time, Thomas liked to read all about science and technology. He also liked to experiment with chemicals. He set up a laboratory in his basement. And he even conducted experiments in the baggage car of the train he worked on.
Young Thomas Edison (Wikimedia Commons)
At age sixteen, Thomas became a telegraph operator for the railroad. But he had to leave his job after a train accident was blamed on him. He then worked for the Associated Press at night. This job allowed him to read and work on experiments during the day.
Thomas Edison (Wikimedia Commons)
His first invention was an electric vote recorder. The recorder could be used by members of legislatures to count their votes on bills right away. But it was a failure. Thomas discovered that politicians did not want a fast way to count their votes.
Thomas’s first successful invention was a stock ticker that improved on earlier ones. His stock ticker let investors know quickly what was happening in the stock market.
Thomas Edison and his phonograph (Pixabay)
Thomas Edison’s first big invention was the phonograph. It recorded and produced sound that people could hear clearly. This invention made him famous all over the world. He became known as “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” Menlo Park was his research laboratory complex in New Jersey.
Thomas Edison and engineers at Menlo Park (Shutterstock)
Now it was time for his greatest invention, the incandescent light bulb. Inventors had tried for years to come up with an electric light bulb that would replace gaslight. But no one had found a practical way to do that.
First, Thomas set up the Edison Electric Light Company. Then he worked for years trying to perfect a light bulb. He failed many times until he tried a platinum filament. The light bulb burned for 13 1/2 hours. But Thomas wanted a bulb that would burn much longer and would be cheaper to make.
Edison light bulb (Shutterstock)
Thomas had been fishing with a bamboo pole made from bamboo threads. He decided to try a carbonized bamboo filament. And eureka, his light bulb lasted for over 1,200 hours. It was affordable too. Thomas demonstrated his light bulb by lighting up his Menlo Park laboratory complex.
Thomas Edison (Pixabay)
Thomas wasn’t satisfied just inventing a practical light bulb. He wanted to light up everyone’s home, business, and factory. He started the Edison Illuminating Company. Thomas’s first power station went into operation in Manhattan. It lit up a one-mile square area. It was only a matter of time until electric light lit up the world.
His other inventions include a motion picture camera, and a Kinetoscope to project the images on, and the first alkaline battery for electric cars. It was the forerunner of the alkaline batteries we use today.
by K.M. Koystal and Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Fred Harper
Discover history through the eyes of one of the smartest, funniest, and coolest figures from America’s past. Ben gives sage advice on everything from good citizenship, manners, friendship, and being happy.
Ben Franklin & the Magic Squares
By Frank Murphy, Illustrated by Richard Walz
A funny, entertaining introduction to Ben Franklin and his many inventions, including the story of how he created the “magic square.” A magic square is a box of nine numbers. They are arranged so that any line of three adds up to the same number, even on the diagonal.
What’s the Big Idea Ben Franklin
By Jean Fritz, Illustrated by Margaret Tomes
A fun historic tale by Newbery Honor-winning author, Jean Fritz! No matter how busy he was, Ben Franklin always found time to try out new ideas. A man of many talents, he was an ambassador, a printer, an almanac maker, a politician, and even a vegetarian (for a time.)
Ben Franklin Thinks Big
By Shelia Keenan, Illustrated by Gustavo Mazali
Ben Franklin was a famous inventor, statesman, and writer who helped the thirteen colonies become the United States. From inventing the lightning rod to helping write the Declaration of Independence, his big ideas had a lasting impact on American history.
Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in Ben Franklin’s life in this Level Two I Can Read biography. This biography includes bonus materials, complete with a timeline and historical illustrations, including Franklin’s electrical machine invention and his leaf print money that couldn’t be counterfeited. 4-8 years
When I Grow Up: Benjamin Franklin
By Annmarie Anderson, Illustrated by Gerald Kelley
Benjamin Franklin is one of America’s most beloved Founding Fathers and a man of many talents. He is most well-known for discovering electricity. But he was also an author, and editor, a printer, and a diplomat. And he invented many things we still use today. This book takes the reader on an exciting journey from Ben’s childhood to his adulthood as a famous American.
Who Was Ben Franklin
By Dennis Brindell Fradin, Illustrated by John O’Brien
Ben Franklin was the scientist who, with the help of a kite, discovered that lightning is electricity. He was also a statesman, an inventor, a printer, and an an author. He was a man of such amazingly varied talents that some people claimed he had magical powers.
Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
By Gene Barretta
What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Ben Franklin, you’d set these up yourself. Franklin also designed the lightning rod. He suggested the idea of daylight savings time. And he invented bifocals. All were inspired by his common sense and intelligence.
Benjamin Franklin: Inventor of the Nation
By Mark Shulman, Illustrated by Kelly Tindall
Benjamin Franklin has been called one of the most accomplished and influential Americans in history, and his role in shaping the United States has had a lasting impact that is still felt today. From his birth in Boston in 1706 to his days as a printer, inventor, and politician.
Benjamin Franklin: Inventor of the Nation! tells the story of “the First American” in an accessible graphic novel format. Franklin’s research into topics as varied as electricity, meteorology, demography, and oceanography were as wide-ranging and important as his travels, which took him across the globe as a diplomat for the newly founded United States toward the end of the 18th century.
Benjamin Franklin (Giants of Science)
By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Boris Kulikov
Benjamin Franklin was a famous inventor and multitasker. He’s best remembered as one of America’s Founding Fathers. But he was also a scientist. His experiments led to important discoveries about the nature of electricity. He famously demonstrated that electricity and lightning are one in the same.
A Ben of All Trades: The Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin
By Michael J. Rosen, Illustrated by Matt Tavares
Young Benjamin Franklin wants to be a sailor, but his father won’t hear of it. The other trades he tries — candle maker, joiner, boot closer, turner — bore him through and through. Curious and inventive, Ben prefers to read, swim, fly his kite, and fly his kite while swimming. But each time he fails to find a profession, he takes some important bit of knowledge with him.
That tendency is exactly what leads him to become the astonishingly versatile genius we remember today. Inspired by The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Michael J. Rosen’s tale captures Ben’s spirit in playful language, while illustrations by Matt Tavares follow Ben from the workbench to the water in vivid detail.
The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin
By Cheryl Harness
No one could have thought up a more amazing character than the living, breathing Benjamin Franklin. He was everything from a “soapmaker, candle dipper, and printer” to a “postmaster, political activist, community reformer, revolutionary, statesman, international diplomat, and first great citizen of a nation which he, as much or more than anyone, helped to create.”
John, Paul, George & Ben
By Lane Smith
Once there were four lads…John [Hancock], Paul [Revere], George [Washington], and Ben [Franklin]. Oh yes, there was also Tom [Jefferson], but he was annoyingly independent and hardly ever around. These lads were always getting into trouble for one reason or another. In other words, they took a few…liberties. And to be honest, they were not always appreciated. This is the story of five little lads before they became five really big Founding Fathers.
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
Ada Lovelace is considered to be the world’s first computer programmer.
Ada was born in England on December 10, 1815, the daughter of the famous and reckless poet Lord Byron. Soon after she was born, her parent’s marriage ended. Ada never saw her father again.
Her mother, Anne Isabella Milbanke had a great interest in mathematics. Byron called her the Princess of Parallelograms. Anne Isabella steered her daughter away from poetry and into mathematics and science.
Ada Lovelace
Ada had a wonderful imagination. She decided that she would learn how to fly by studying birds’ anatomy. Ada made a set of wings. She wrote and illustrated her own book called Flyology and designed a flying mechanical horse.
Lord Byron
In 1829, Ada became temporarily paralyzed after having measles. She improved her math and science skills while bedridden. At age sixteen, restored to health, Ada was introduced to English society. She met famous scientists and became friends with the engineer Charles Babbage.
Babbage invented a machine called the Difference Engine. It worked like a giant calculator. He then designed a more complex machine he called the Analytical Engine. Babbage thought it would solve difficult mathematical calculations. The machine would then store these calculations. And it would also print them.
The Analytical Engine
Ada translated an article written about the Analytical Engine into English. She added her own notes. These notes contained an algorithm that would allow the machine to work. Ada’s algorithm is considered to be the first computer program.
The Analytical Engine was too expensive to build. But it is considered to be the first computer. And Charles Babbage is acknowledged as the “father of the computer.”
Charles Babbage designed his Analytical Engine to be capable of working with numbers. But Ada thought the machine had much greater possibilities. She envisioned it producing music, art, and writing, like modern computers.
Sadly, Ada died at age 36. Although she never met her father, she requested to be buried next to his grave in England.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell
Leonardo da Vinci painted two of the best known paintings in the world: Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. In addition to his magnificent work as an artist, Leonardo designed inventions that are familiar to us today, almost 400 years later.
Leonardo sketched and wrote about his inventions in notebooks. Most of his ideas could not be made into working objects during his lifetime. Engineering was a new science and many of his designs were technically complicated.
These are six of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions:
In the Air:
Glider — Leonardo’s glider design looks similar to both a bird in flight and a modern hang glider. Leonardo studied birds as he worked on his design.
Helical Screw — This is Leonardo’s design for an early type of helicopter. Four men inside operated the screw. It would compress air to fly just like helicopters do today.
Parachute — Leonardo imagined floating through the air using a parachute. Designed to be made of linen and wood, his parachute had a triangular shape.
Anemometer — Leonardo designed this instrument to measure wind speed. Anemometers are used at weather stations today.
Under Water:
Scuba Gear — Leonardo designed a leather suit with a head covering attached to two tubes. The tubes connected to an above water diving bell. The diver would breathe air from the water’s surface through the tubes. Today, scuba divers breathe air from the tanks they carry underwater. Early divers used Leonardo’s method.
On Land:
Tank — Leonardo turned again to the natural world for this design. A turtle shell inspired it. The tank’s design provided for a 360 degree rotation. Four men inside would operate the tank with hand cranks while other men would fire the weapons. Modern tanks first appeared in World War I.
