Info
- Illustrated by Julia Kuo
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Grade level: 3 – 7
- Hardcover: 60 pages
- Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 27, 2024)
- ISBN-10: 1452176965
- ISBN-13: 978-1452176963
How does a kid grow up to become a scientist? This enthralling nonfiction picture book from New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner explores the unexpected beginnings behind some of the most fascinating discoveries in scientific history.
Before the world’s great scientists were scientists, they were, in fact, doing all the things kids do:
Taking things apart,
putting things together,
gazing up at the night sky,
drawing, imagining, building, and exploring.
Things that scientists do, too.
This book of unexpected beginnings powerfully shows that the great scientists of the future could be practically anyone . . . including you. Beautifully illustrated by Julia Kuo, this is a book to gift to any curious kid interested in STEM topics, fascinated by scientific discoveries, and inspired by biographies of people whose work has had an impact on the world.
CALLING FUTURE SCIENTISTS: Where are today’s future scientists? As this book shows, they could be practically anyone doing anything, including the kids reading this book!
CURRICULAR CONNECTION: Students discover all kinds of science in elementary school, from astronomy to zoology. This fun-to-read educational book for kids introduces young learners to the scientists behind some of the world’s most fascinating scientific discoveries.
Perfect for:
- Teachers and librarians looking for STEM-themed picture books
- Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction picture books
- A distinctive gift for a science-loving child
- Fans of Kate Messner books, the Who Is/Who Was biography series, and books about scientific discoveries
Praise for THE NEXT SCIENTIST
★ —“Fascinating and captivating… An effective and generous book that encourages exploration, maker spaces, and tinkering. The inclusion of names that are not often covered is a breath of fresh air.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review
“[An] attractive, informative, and ambitious collective biography… Thoughtful curation results in representation of a wide range of identities, fields of study, and challenges throughout the history of modern science.” — The Horn Book Magazine
“[An] inspirational picture book …Including figures iconic and lesser-known, this pep-talk-like work suggests that STEM careers might have seeds in childhood passions.” ― Publishers Weekly
“This intriguing book introduces dozens of figures in the sciences, first as children and, usually on the following double-page spread, as significant achievers in their fields. Kuo’s digital illustrations capture the likenesses of a diverse group of leaders in the sciences, and the juxtaposition of childhood interests and professional contributions creates some interesting discussion points along the way. An attractive, original science book.” – Booklist