Keystone Plants and Fungi by Laura Perdew

It's time to head out into nature! With the great outdoors calling, there are plenty of opportunities to go exploring. Today's read should help out on that end as it explores various plants and fungi, and looks at certain ones, which have a special role in the balance of the ecosystem. Or so the blurb claims. Telling by the cover, these pages hit exotic as well as, maybe, local categories. There are activities included, too, and I'm eager to see how practical and fun these are.

Grab those explorer hats because we're headed outside with this one!

KEYSTONE PLANTS AND FUNGI

Discover the Organisms Vital to Ecosystem

Health and Biodiversity

by Laura Perdew

Illustrated by Micah Rauch

Nomad Press

128 pages

ages 9 to 12

COMING OCTOBER 15th!!!

A fascinating companion book to Keystone Species!

Who's keeping the ecosystem healthy?

In any ecosystem, every species has a role to play. From towering trees and enormous whales to the smallest microorganisms, and from plants and fungi to animals and insects, each species is important to the overall health of the ecosystem. But some of those species play such vital roles that without them, the ecosystem is in danger of collapsing. These are called keystone species.

In Keystone Species: Meet the Animals Key to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity with Hands- On Science Activities for Kids, young scientists are introduced to several different types of keystone species from around the world as they discover the crucial roles these organisms play in their ecosystems. Meet the sharks, gray wolves, beavers, American alligators, bees, flying foxes, wildebeests, bison, and coral that all play a vital role in regulating an ecosystem.

Try these science activities!

• Map a wildebeest migration
• Create an African savannah food web
• Dissect a flower
• Model ocean acidification

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Keystone plants and fungi gain the spotlight in an interesting and hands-on way.

After carefully defining and making clear what a keystone in terms of the ecosystem means, these pages dive into various examples from the plant and fungi realm. These examples comes from around the world, each one gaining clear explanations and clarification as to what it is, it's purpose in the ecosystem, and what happens if it disappears. But that's only the beginning. These pages offer quite a bit more as small sidenotes help broaden the knowledge surrounding ecosystems, biology and science, in general. There are many Qcodes spread throughout the pages, where readers can view short videos about the topics. These help liven things up and also give real life views to help make the information clear. There are also plenty of activities, which readers can do themselves to experiment with the knowledge and gain insights on their own. 

The text is pretty straight-forward but stays interesting. I especially appreciate the list of vocabulary words along the edge of the page with the words placed in bold within the text for easy referencing. There are interesting tidbits dropped in here and there to make sure things don't get too dry. Even the visual end is well done thanks to the images. It almost has the feel of an interactive classroom. The information is supplemented nicely to help keep boredom away. The activities tie directly into the section's theme and offer various possibilities each time. These are no problem to do these almost anywhere and most don't even require much supervision, since they are very age appropriate. This allows readers to become researchers themselves and go hands-on into nature. 

This is a packed book, which would even work well for groups and homeschooling themes, since it offers a rounded variety of information and activities. 

And here they are...

Laura Perdew is a writing coach, presenter, former middle school teacher, and the author of The Fort (Page Street Kids, 2020) as well as dozens of nonfiction STEM books that focus on nature and the environment. This includes Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth (Nomad Press, 2019) which is on the Booklist editors’ list of the Top 10 Books on the Environment & Sustainability for Youth 2020. She lives  in Boulder, Colorado where she spends as much time as possible outdoors, hiking and watching wildlife.   lauraperdew.com

Micah Rauch is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator from the beautiful state of Montana. He received a BFA in graphic design from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including Kitchen Chemistry, Fairground Physics, and Crazy Contraptions. micahrauch.com  Instagram: instagram.com/micahrauch

The Ocean: Explore a Watery World by Laura Perdew

THE OCEAN

Explore a Watery World

by Laura Perdew

Illustrated by Micah Rauch

Nomad Press

Middle Grade Nonfiction

128 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING MAY 15th!!!

A fascinating exploration of the different parts of the ocean and the creatures that live there!

The mighty ocean covers 70 percent of the planet, supports well over 100,000 marine species, regulates climate, feeds billions of people, and plays a key role in the carbon cycle. Yet the ocean is also fragile and needs our help.

In The Ocean: Explore a Watery World with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids, young marine biologists learn the ocean’s history and the key roles it plays on Earth, including its part in the carbon cycle and in regulating weather and climate. Explore the polar oceans, intertidal zones, the shallow ocean, and the open ocean, and discover the incredible biodiversity adapted to living there. Find out how people use and rely on the ocean and how humans are making a giant impact on this massive body of water.

Each chapter examines different aspect of our oceans and our scientific understanding, including past and current ocean conservation efforts around the world. Sidebars about technology, species spotlights, and short biographies about ocean explorers and scientists provide insight into the marine-human relationship, while hands-on activities and critical thinking exercises invite all kinds of learners to gain a deeper understanding of Earth’s oceans. A compelling narrative style, fun facts, glossary words defined on the page, and links to primary source combine to take readers on an investigative journey of the ocean.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

GOODREADS     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A wealth of information surrounding oceans hits with depth and broadness to form a very, well-rounded read.

After a Table of Contents, which highlights the seven chapters and themes these pages touch upon, there's a world map, which shows the basic flow of the oceans. The chapters touch upon topics such as the ocean's origins, currents, climates, ecosystems, and other themes. Each chapter begins with a quick comic strip of a girl sailing with her father, an all-reaching question to be understood during the chapter, and a quick introduction into the main theme. From there, each chapter packs tons of information surrounding the theme...and this coming from various directions in the STEM realm. At the end of each chapter, there's a short list of activities, small experiments and such, and at the end of the book, there's an index, glossary, references for further research and more. It forms a very thorough look at various aspects of the ocean and leaves readers with quite a bit of knowledge in various directions.

This isn't a light read but tries to give readers a good understanding of the many themes explored. For example, the first chapter takes a look at how water relates to the beginning of life and how the formation of the oceans might have taken place. Each chapter packs tons of information...and I do mean a lot. The explanations are delivered in a tone fitting to the audience level and move quickly from one topic to the next. The important terms are placed in a sidebar along the pages to help readers easily find the definitions. Since there are so many topics mentioned, QR codes offer readers the chance to take side-dives into various themes as desired. There are also interesting tidbits put together, which hit everything from interesting facts to important individuals. It's thorough, well-thought out, and kept interesting for the right reader. Others might be overwhelmed with the fast-paced delivery of so much information. 

The various activities at the end of the chapter add an especially nice touch and can be done with simple, household items or explored by readers on their own. There are also many photos to help make the information more clear. This book could be used by groups or homeschoolers as the basis for an entire unit surrounding oceans, and they would come out with a broad understanding of much more than basic ocean facts. It's also a lovely read for science fans, who want to learn more about the ocean.

And here she is...

Laura Perdew is an author, writing coach, presenter, and former middle school teacher. She is the author of The Fort (Page Street Kids 2020) and over 50 books for the education market including Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth (Nomad Press 2019) which is on the Booklist editors’ list of the Top 10 Books on the Environment & Sustainability for Youth 2020. Laura is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an avid runner and hiker. She lives and plays in Boulder, Colorado.

Wacky Contraptions by Laura Perdew

 I reviewed a book about engineering and machines a few weeks ago, and then, saw today's read, too. This one should be a bit more fun...I think...and not quite as serious. Maybe, I'm wrong, though. Either way, let's dive into another book about contraptions, engineering, building and such!

WACKY CONTRAPTIONS

Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist

by Laura Perdew

Illustrated by Micah Rauch

Nomad Press

Middle Grade Nonfiction

128 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

 SEPTEMBER 15th!!!

A hands-on project book for kids who love building wacky contraptions!

How do we make contraptions that zoom, bounce, tower, and collapse? By using hands-on STEAM engineering!

In Wacky Contraptions: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities, young engineers ages 9 to 12 brainstorm, design, and build devices using the engineering design process. Kids learn about simple machines, mechanical advantage, forces, energy, motion, electricity, and other physical science concepts while creating fun and fascinating prototypes that do different kinds of work. Plus, this book encourages kids to adopt a growth mindset and understand that when their projects don’t work, that’s a sign that it’s time to revise and try again!

Built around a plethora of hands-on projects―a conveyor belt, magnetic slime, and a water wheel are just a few examples―a fun narrative style engages kids in discussions of the forces that define our world and the work we do in it. Tension, magnetism, electricity, and chemistry affect our daily lives in ways we often overlook―but armed with the power of knowledge, kids can identify and use the science that surrounds them. Graphic novel style illustrations, photographs, fun facts, sidebars, links to online resources, and more make Wacky Contraptions entertaining and educational.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

GOODREADS 

MY TIDBITS

First comes the theory and knowledge, and then, comes the fun as this books invites readers to create their own machines.

These pages take on the five, basic mechanisms found in the engineering world, explains the basic theories behind them, and then, leads readers into a basic project before opening it up to so much more. Starting with inclined planes, levers, wheel/axle, pulleys, wedges, and screws, these pages then expand them with aspects such as magnets, tension, gears, water, and more. Each chapter covers one of the aspects and explains the basic theories, uses, and such. The information is easy to understand, fits the age group, and flows fine. Sidebars on each page slip in vocabulary words, QR codes to watch videos, and questions to push those thought gears. While this is all written with as much lightness as possible, the fun begins with the projects.

Each chapter introduces a basic project with the required items (most around the house) and easy-to-follow directions. Then, there are more possibilities suggested and other projects presented, too. The point of this is not only to have readers create something to help the themes and information sit, but to lead them to go beyond and add twists or projects of their own. It's stated several times that mistakes happen and are, actually, helpful...and that things don't always go as planned.

The illustrations assist in making the presented information clear, while adding bold colors to add a little more excitement. This works nicely not only for those, who want to learn more about creating machines and such, but even opens the door to projects for individuals, group settings, or homeschoolers.

Review: The Sun by Laura Perdew

Today's review is one book from a set of four, which is being released on March 15th. And what a cute series it is! This one is for all those young space explorers out there or those wanting to discover what our universe is all about. I really love the illustrations and how the 'characters' are presented in these. Plus, there are two little aliens, who make sure nothing ever gets too serious.

And it's a STEM one. So, here we go!

THE SUN

Shining Star of the Solar System

by Laura Perdew

Illustrated by Hui Li

Nomad Press

32 pages

ages 5 to 8

COMING...

MARCH 15th!!!

A nonfiction picture book that explores a very important star--the sun! Kids ages 5 to 8 listen as the Universe explains key facts about our cosmic lifeline!

There are trillions of stars in the universe, but one is particularly important to people on planet Earth--our sun. Without it, there'd be no humans, no animals, no plants--no life whatsoever! Earth would be dark, cold, and empty. That's a pretty bleak picture! In Sun: Shining Star of the Solar System, the Universe itself explains the relationship between the sun and Earth. Kids ages 5 through 8 discover how the sun's place in the solar system gives us the days, seasons, and years we experience on our planet. They learn alongside funny alien characters how the sun supports life on our planet and how it's related to the weather. The Universe, a friendly and knowledgeable narrator, discusses complex scientific concepts in a way that children find easy to understand while the aliens offer a running commentary that's hilariously entertaining. Plus, a poem at the beginning encourages language arts connections! Layered text, informative illustrations, fun facts, and a hands-on science-minded activity offer deeper exploration of the sun and its importance to Earth. Perfect as a read aloud or for beginner readers, with a glossary to support language development. Sun: Shining Star of the Solar System is part of a set of four books in the Picture Book Science series that explore our incredible solar system. Other titles in this series include Stars: A Gazillion Suns ; Earth: One-of-a-Kind Planet ; and Moon: Small but Mighty Neighbor .

GOODREADS   /    BOOK DEPOSITORY   /    AMAZON   /    B&N   

BOOK BLINK

                                    * brightly illustrated

                                    * humorous as well as informative

                                    * written in way listeners can understand

MY TIDBITS

Learning about space is more than fun in this cute series, which addresses kids in a way and at a level they can understand.

The Sun is an amazing part of our solar system, and in this tale, it tells the listener all about itself and what makes it so grand. But this isn't only with the sun...because the sun is already convinced it's great. There are a couple of other, cute characters involved, which add humor and ask all the right questions and just the right time.

This is a fun read, which incorporates lots of humor while bringing across the basic information surrounding the sun. The author takes a unique twist by bringing small aliens into a conversation with the sun...and all of that with bright and bold illustrations. The entire thing starts out with a poem about the sun before diving into the tale Here, the information is dropped with ease and molded into the conversation. The sun does take the opportunity to talk about itself as well. And the two little guys use this to launch off into silly but sometimes directed questions. 

It's a fun book and a great way to teach kids about the sun without ever getting too serious or boring. It's even one of those books, which listeners are probably going to want to hear again and again and again.



This is only one of the books in a series of four. The others hold the same humor and several of the same characters as well.

And here are a few more wonderful points to keep in mind about this new series...

Provides layered text and back matter that encourage more in-depth discovery

Promotes a sense of awe and wonder in astronomy

Uses humor to engage children's attention

Promotes cross-curriculum learning through poetry

Includes a hands-on, science-minded project to help support and reinforce deeper learning

Meets Next Generation Science Standards in Earth's Place in the Universe and Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles for grades K through 3. 　
About the Picture Book Science series and Nomad Press Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Science series present real-world examples of science topics kids find fascinating! These nonfiction picture books consist of engaging narratives paired with detailed, accurate illustrations and layered text that offers ample opportunity for discussion and reflection. Elementary-aged children are equipped to recognize basic science concepts and identify the different ways they are demonstrated in real life, while being impressed with the idea that science is a constant part of our lives and not limited to classrooms and laboratories. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.