In another lifetime, I taught science to seventh-grade students in Baltimore, too many of whom had reading levels far below that grade.
It made for many after-school hours of copying my own versions of my student’s hand-me-down out-of-date high-school science books. Finally I convinced the administration to buy me something that worked for my students, even though they only bought a set that needed to be shared.
I recently found a book that, if I were still teaching science, I would use in a Northwest classroom. “Ricky’s Atlas: Mapping a Land on Fire” (Oregon State University) would be part of learning about fire ecology, geology, biology, fossils and more.
It’s a mix of science and fiction (with little factoids slipped in) and descriptive color pen-and-ink drawings, but most of all, it is a story of Ricky Zamora, who, on a visit to his uncle’s ranch on the east side of the Cascades, learns about a different environment and draws much of it as he explores with friends.
Nearly every page offers a chance for a teacher (or a parent) to branch out in different directions.
I wish I had had this book, or at least one with a story line with which my students could identify — and learn.
Here are a few books of interest to younger children:
“A Moon of My Own” (Dawn) author Jennifer Rustgi and illustrator Ashley White have combined a few words and silhouette art plus an “Explore More” section to help parents guide their children’s curiosity about the moon.
The idea started when Rustgi’s young daughter said, “Mama, why does the moon always follow me?” The result is a visual exploration of the phases of the moon from settings around the world.
Dawn Publications has several ocean-themed children’s books, including “Octopus Escapes Again!” by Laurie Ellen Angus. An orange octopus swims out of its cave to find something to eat, keenly aware that there are creatures that see it as a meal. The adventure is mixed with facts, and at the end, activities and more information.
On land, “Wild Ones: Observing City Critters,” follows Scooter as he dashes among (and sometimes after) the critters, but he doesn’t see all of them, so encourage your child to see more in the illustrations than what the dog chases.
“The Adventures of Anna and Andy Hummingbird” is a series of books by Linda Young (illustrations by Violeta Honasan). The hummingbirds in Young’s backyard triggered the concept, and the stories are a combination of backyard events and her imagination.
And for adults, Tim Palmer’s “Rivers of Oregon” (OSU) offers 140 beautiful photographs and essays. Many of the images will entice you to get out the paddles and drift along; others are simply good for the soul.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
