Science Story-telling
Science is awesome, but science needs to do a better job of communicating that awesomeness to non-scientists. We’re sitting on the frontiers of human knowledge, and yet we cannot get others as excited about this issue that we’re very, very passionate about.
Science stories come in many forms, and there are many different mediums one can use, each with its own merits. There's science journalism, science blogging, science novels, science short stories, and science film.
The Science Stories below have been selected for a younger audience and capture the magic and wonder of science in general and astronomy and space in particular.
Storytelling Details
Title: Gravity
Author: Jason Chin
Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Blurb: How do we stay put on our planet and not float away into outer space? What makes things fall to the ground from high places? Chin introduces youngsters to the concept of gravity, presenting the information in highly understandable language and in captivating paintings that will delight young readers. Deceptively simple large print text describe how gravity affects all things on Earth as well as in outer space. Colorful and incredibly detailed watercolor landscapes and close-up illustrations keep readers' attention, and certain objects are repeated throughout the pages. Although Gravity is set up like a fictional text, the information necessary to understand the basics of gravity are present. This is a wonderful addition to libraries for younger students. In the "More About Gravity" section, readers can add to their increasing knowledge of the topic with important vocabulary and comparisons that allow for deeper understanding.
Title: Pluto visits Earth
Author: Steve Metzger
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Blurb: Pluto visits Earth in a truly out-of-this-world adventure!
Pluto is not pleased when he learns that astronomers have downgraded him from planet to dwarf planet. He embarks on a fun and out-of-this-world adventure across the solar system to visit Earth and reclaim his planetary status.
Along the way, Pluto bumps into his moons and other planets. But it's a boy on Earth who makes him realize that, big or small, planet or not, he's still special!
Title: The Way back Home
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Blurb: In this childlike fantasy, a boy finds an airplane and takes it out for a ride—to the moon, where it runs out of fuel. Just as his flashlight grows dim, a spaceship crashes, and a Martian climbs out. Initially, each fears the other, but they quickly become fast friends. Soon they’re carrying out a splendid plan to repair their spacecraft and get back to their homes. Children who know Jeffers’ Lost and Found (2006) and How to Catch a Star (2004) may recognize the distinctive figure of the boy, with his large head, sticklike legs, and striped shirt, and catch other visual references to the earlier books. Economy of line in both text and pictures combine with Jeffers’ flair for storytelling to create plenty of fine, original scenes. The deadpan text is well matched by the slightly quirky pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, which make great use of color and composition on the large, double-page spreads. An imaginative space adventure for young children.
Title: The Story of Stars
Author: Neal Layton
Age Range: 4-8 years
Blurb: Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the stars told in 10 pop-up spreads by the Smarties award-winner Neal Layton. Neal's unique perspective on stars from thousands of years ago to today presents stars, solar systems and galaxies in a format accessible to the very young. Did you know that the Ancient Greeks did a join-the-dots with the night sky? Or that the sun is our nearest star? Or that stars are born, live and die just like us? With ingenious pops, flaps and tabs, and a MASSIVE pop-up of the constellations in the night sky!
Title: Space
Author: Derek Matthews
Age range: 4 – 8 years
Blurb: Kitty and Mouse are going to the Moon-won't you come, too? BEEP BEEP BEEP! That's alien-speak for “Let's be friends.” WOOP WOOP! It's a space-tacular party! Cute rhymed text and interactive panels build language awareness in young readers, who will want to take this trip again and again.
Title: Monkey on the Moon
Author: Jonathan Litten
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Blurb: The goofy animals of Monkey on the Moon are having a blast as they explore outer space in this rhyming pop-up book. Open up the pages to discover a moonwalking monkey, a space-surfing crocodile, and other super-fantastic, intergalactic creatures in orbit! The animals’ antics will bring smiles to the faces of young readers, and the colorful, high-quality interactive pop-ups with moving elements will entertain for hours on end.