Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars

Inspiring look at the young lives of famous scientists.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that David Stabler’s Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars is the fifth book in the Kid Legends series. It's an inspiring look at the early lives of some of the most influential scientists in the past few centuries, including Katherine Johnson, George Washington Carver, Jane Goodall, and Isaac Newton. It helps young readers see themselves in the everyday struggles these icons faced as kids. There’s a lot of history mixed with science here, especially when mentioning scientists who studied amid oppression or discrimination, or who grew up in less than ideal circumstances. Some of those harsh moments are glossed over and could be discussed in more detail with parents, but the inspiring effect will stick in readers’ minds.
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What's the Story?
KID SCIENTISTS: TRUE TALES OF CHILDHOOD FROM SCIENCE SUPERSTARS delves into the childhoods of some of the most famous modern scientists, with insights into the struggles and victories that shaped their ambition and discoveries. The variety of figures means there’s something for everyone: space exploration with Sally Ride and Katherine Johnson, plants and animals with George Washington Carver and Jane Goodall, physics with Isaac Newton, the unending tinkering of Nikola Tesla, and many more. The fun insights and personal trivia are mixed with facts and academic information on a variety of topics.
Is It Any Good?
This collection of brief profiles of famed scientists makes STEM relatable and accessible as it gives readers a positive spin on many different scientific fields. The biographies are easy to follow, with some advanced vocabulary for older readers and lots of illustrations to move the stories along. Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars shows readers that the early lives these icons had many of the same triumphs and struggles that kids everywhere face, and show on page after page that exploration, curiosity, and persistence are incredibly valuable qualities.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it takes to pursue a breakthrough idea or creation. From what you've read in Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars, what do you think these young scientists said to people who told them their idea wouldn’t work, or that their discovery wasn’t real?
Which of the scientists had you heard of before? Whic ones do you admire, and why? What makes them stand out?
What other books about science have you read?
Book Details
- Author: David Stabler
- Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
- Genre: Biography
- Topics: STEM, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History, Science and Nature
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Quirk Books
- Publication date: October 9, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 208
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: November 4, 2019
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love science and biographies
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