Fictional Stories in Science
Using Fictional Stories as a Pathway to Science Content
Tuesday Morning Reads for January 2, 2018
BOARD BOOKS!!
As I was walking to the picture book section of our library, a few weeks ago, I took a different pathway and came across their board books section, and I thought…I wonder if there are any great science themed stories here for our youngest readers. Here is what I found on my first sweep.
Zingy by Paola Opal: Zingy is the story of a young bird flying with her mom for the first time in search of food. Similar to Goldilocks, she tries to find a flower that is just sweet enough. She struggles until she observes her friend the bee. This would be great for any occasion, but one that comes to mind is for before or after a walk around the neighbor.
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. Illustrated by Patrick Benson: This is the story of three baby owls, who woke up one night to find their mother gone. Together they thought and thought about where she could have gone and whether she would be back. I enjoyed the night setting of this story, how they woke up at night, and opportunity to talk about how animals need food, too.
Questions, Questions by Marcus Pfister: Although this book isn’t written as a story, with a main character, the format and the rhyme make it feel like one. Every page has a great question to explore, leading to an investigation, further wondering, or just keener observation to the world around us. One page example is: “What turns the leaves from green to brown…and sends them floating gently down?”
Same Same by Marthe Jocelyn. Illustrated by Tom Slaughter: This book introduces young children to the concept of categorization–which makes it an easy interactive read, since you can quickly scan the room together and ask…what around us is the same, or has the same function/use? 🙂
My First Book of Sounds by Alain Grée: While not written in story form, this book introduces young children into the sounds that are all around. With a good connection to onomatopoeia, children can mimic the sounds that surround them, and perhaps together, they can make a video of the sounds they hear.
Sleepy Puppy by Sterling Children’s Books: With real photographs this story has the potential to not only personally connect with young children, but also create a talking space for the needs of all living things.
I Would Tuck You In by Sarah Asper-Smith. Illustrated by Mitchell Watley: Using repetitive text, the story connects you to the relationship between a parent and child, across several wild animals and their nighttime habitat.
Fictional Stories in Science 