Fun Science Books for Kids!

As your kids start the new homeschool semester, here are a few books on science (approximately ages 8-12)!

1. “How Come?” by Kathy WollardFor every kid who really wants to know--and for every exasperated parent who simply doesn’t know--here is a lively omnium-gatherum of explanations to the most frequently asked questions about our world, from “Why do stars twinkle?” to “What are hiccups?” Taken from Kathy Wollard’s popular column, “How Come?” explains why cats can survive high falls (because of the way their bodies can act like a “parachute”) and how black holes absorb light (intense gravity--if the Earth had the same density as a black hole, it would have to be compressed to the size of a marble). Now you can know it all.

2. “Cellular Biology: Organelles, Structure, and Function” by April Chloe Terrazas

“Cellular Biology: Organelles, Structure, and Function” covers the basics of biology on a cellular level, specialized in text for emergent readers. This book includes “sound it out” sections containing phonics for the names of the organelles inside the cell. Young readers will learn what each organelle looks like and how it functions in the cell. Questions are posed throughout as a form of review so the reader is reinforcing the new material learned. Colorful images and text make this book intriguing and engaging for all ages!

3. “Chemistry: “The Atom and Elements” by April Chloe Terrazas

The exciting topic of Chemistry is explored, covering the atom--protons, neutrons, electrons, nucleus--as well as the basics of the periodic table, elements, and atomic number. This is followed by an examination of individual elements, such as Lithium, Helium, Carbon, Sodium, Neon, and Oxygen. Sound it out sections aid young readers in pronunciation and elementary definitions allow basic understanding of complex topics. Learn the vocabulary of a genius at a young age!

4. “Neurology: The Amazing Central Nervous System” by April Chloe Terrazas

Neurology explores the complexities of the Central Nervous System, beginning with the different sections (lobes) of the brain, continuing to the spinal cord and concluding with the structure and function of the neuron. Bold images engage the reader and color-coded text reinforce new material. Learn advanced vocabulary and bring out your inner Neurologist! Fun for all ages.

5. “Astronomy: The Solar System” by April Chloe Terrazas

A fun and innovative way to explore the Solar System for all ages! Emergent readers accurately pronounce planet names and associated terms using the sound it out sections on each page. Learn details about the 8 planets of the Solar System and the elements contained in their atmospheres. Discover the other amazing things that can be found in our Solar System!

6. “The Weather by Heather” by Diana Perry

Mr. Beedy, the local meteorologist, enlists fun ways to teach Heather the science of weather. Kids from 5 to 10 will relate to Heather’s dilemma with her hard homework assignment and will laugh at the funny escapades of Mr. Beedy who constantly gets in trouble with the library staff.

7. “A Book for Young Programmers on Scratch” by Denis Golikov

The goal of this book is introduction into programming, mathematics, sciences for elementary school students. The material is written for student self-study (8-11 y.o.) who have basic skills of operating a computer. Children have to be able to use a mouse, start using labels, as well as count to 480, multiply and divide. More complex mathematical notions (negative numbers, decimal fractions, coordinate axis, degrees) will be explained in the pages of the book. Scratch is a new free programming environment that allows children from 7 years old to create their own stories, cartoons, games, and other creations. This program allows children to express themselves in computer creative work. Scratch was specifically created as a new learning environment for teaching school students programming.

8. “How Come? Planet Earth” by Kathy WollardKids never stop asking questions. And Kathy Wollard, whose Los Angeles Times syndicated column “How Come?” appears in newspapers around the world, never stops answering them. In five years since the first “How Come?” was published, Ms. Wollard has written hundreds of columns addressing the whys, whats, wheres, and hows sent in by her readers. A direct follow-up to the original “How Come?” “How Come? Planet Earth” is packed with lively, engagingly written, and often wittily illustrated answers to questions that kids have about the natural world around them. There are questions about animals--Why are electric eels electrical? (the charges not only help them find their way around in the dark, but act as a defense system). About human body--Where does fat go when you lose weight? (it’s burned up inside the muscles for energy). [And much more!] For all kids who want to know (and all kids want to know), and for the parents who can’t always explain it to them (no parents know every answer), “How Come? Planet Earth” is the perfect reference and companion.

9. “Looking and Seeing: Learning to Observe” by Carol J. Rosen Chihara

How well do you see what you are looking at? Practice and improve your observation habits with this little book, and learn how to enrich your life by seeing how interesting the world around you can be. Look at photographs from nature and find out how much you can see when you observe life like an expert does. For readers and nature lovers 9 to 12 years.

10. “Hello from 2030: “The Science of the Future and You” by Jan Paul Schutten

Will the future be what we think, or will our predictions be laughably wrong? Get a glimpse of what’s coming--and how we know--in this first hand look at futurology, the science of predicting the future.

What will the future look like? From “living” homes to computers as thin as paper to cars that drive themselves, you’ll get a peek at what’s coming just around the corner in “Hello from 2030.”

In the year 2030, issues we are just now starting to address will be a very big deal. Like: What will 8 billion people eat? How can humans produce less trash? Which cool technologies will be used to figure all this out?

Packed with real-world relevance and brain-stretching scenarios, this book empowers the problem-solvers of tomorrow to start taking action today.

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