Science Questions

It is a challenge to convey any nonfiction concept at a beginning-reading level, but author Pettiford succeeds at this in the Science Questions series. Each book focuses on one very basic answer to its title question. The brief text, aimed at early readers, is strongly supported by well-chosen, labeled photos that break down the science and a final infographic that depicts the concept as a complex whole. For example, photos in How Do Rainbows Form? Show sunlight, water, and the resulting rainbow as well as a prism. What Are Clouds Made Of? Includes photos of water drops, snow, and hail and concludes with a diagram of the water cycle. In Why Does the Sun Shine? The sun and Earth are labeled within the solar system before the text explores the sun’s role in providing our planet light and heat. Why is the Sky Blue? Introduces the light spectrum, focusing on the blue light-waves’ short length and high visibility. The books seem intended for an educational setting, with before-, during-, and after-reading questions provided in the front matter and a concluding summary, a four-item picture glossary, and a half-page index in the back matter. A simple introduction to common science queries for the youngest readers.

For young readers who often ask “why?” and “how?”, these subjects are explained in an easy-to-comprehend way, with simple sentences and visual references. There are real pictures of familiarly questioned concepts, such as blue skies or rainbows, paired with their scientific counterparts, with a breakdown of the colors in an age-appropriate way.

The highlight in each title is its visual glossary, which not only helps clarify terms, but also reinforces what was read afterward, to promote discourse.

Verdict: These simple science books can fit into classrooms and school libraries for beginner readers full of questions