Many thanks to Horace Mann school librarian Patti Karam for compiling the following holiday booklist of twelve STEM-related recommendations for elementary-school students, in response to our request for ideas for STEM holiday gifts. (Note: The ones marked OSTB are Outstanding Science Trade Books noted by the National Science Teachers Association, which maintains a broad catalog of recommendations at www.nsta.org/recommends/) Here’s Patti Karam’s booklist:
Bug Shots. One of the few books that appropriately distinguishes between bugs and other insects; great use of magnification with electron microscope images. Siy, Alexandra. (OSTB 2012)
A Butterfly Is Patient. Excellent facts and illustrations with accurate behaviors; visually beautiful and perfect for language arts illustrations. Aston, Dianna Hutts. (OSTB 2012)
The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs. Shows international cooperation among scientists; great model of scientific problem solving. Markle, Sandra. (OSTB 2012)
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? Shows the path from farm to school; great STEM integration; helps kids understand where their food comes from. Butterworth, Chris. (OSTB 2012)
How the Weather Works. This comprehensive weather book is an ideal choice for families, with pop-ups, challenging concepts, and vocabulary. Dorion, Christiane. (OSTB 2012)
How to Clean a Hippopotamus. The unique topic of symbiosis is described in interesting text (with great context cues) and beautiful illustrations. Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. (OSTB 2011)
Poetrees. Non-traditional poetry and outstanding artwork illustrate components of plant life. Florian, Doug. (OSTB 2011)
The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art & Science of Snowflakes. Physics professor and snowflake photographer Kenneth Libbrecht provides information about snowflakes, discussing what they are made of, why they appear to be white, how they form and fall, and related topics, and including beautiful photographs of snowflakes magnified by a microscope. Libbrecht, Kenneth George.
The Robin Makes a Laughing Sound. Excellent birder’s journal includes advice on how to keep records and biological drawings; great model for children. Wolf, Sallie. (OSTB 2011)
Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. An illustrated exploration of various examples of spirals appearing in nature, looking at snail shells, flower petals, elephant trunks, crashing waves and more. Sidman, Joyce.
Trapped. Great example of a book to illustrate international cooperation and STEM problem-solving. Aronson, Marc. (OSTB 2012)
The Watcher. The story of Jane Goodall makes for an easy book to introduce observation and journaling; accurately but simply tells her story and how ethologists work. Winter, Jeanette. (OSTB 2012)