Science Picture Books: *The Beak Book, Nano, and Building

Three outstanding picture books offer windows into nano technology, beaver life, and the beauty and variety of beak design.

*The Beak Book by Robin Page. Beach Lane Books (Simon & Shuster), 2021, 34 pages.

Reading Level: Picture book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 1-8

“Bird beaks come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes.” You might think of pelicans, ducks, toucans, hummingbirds—all very different, for sure. But why? Each beak (or bill) is designed for a purpose—usually connected to eating, but not always. The oriental pied hornbill uses its elaborate apparatus for mating battles. Macaws use theirs for climbing. The female tailorbird uses her sharp beak for sewing leaves with spiderweb silk. Prying, stabbing, ripping, probing—what possibilities!

Each bird is rendered in layered collage style—take time to study the rich colors and textures. The reading text is simple enough for beginners to sound out many of the words. The two-page appendix shows each bird’s size in relation to an adult human (some are huge!) with range and diet for each. There’s no mention of evolution, so the book offers a great opportunity to talk about our Creator’s genius for design, function, and beauty.

Overall Rating: 5

Nano: The Specular Science of the Very (Very) Small by Dr. Jess Wade, illustrated by Melisson Castrillión. Candlewick, 2021, 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 7-10

“Everything is made of something,” and that something is suited to its purpose. But what if it were possible to create new materials for new purposes? This valuable picture book begins with a simple introduction to basic chemistry, of atoms and molecules, elements and chemical bonding. Then we venture beyond to nano technology, which is the rearranging of atoms to enhance the properties of the material. The chief example is graphite, commonly used in pencils. Graphite occurs naturally as rows of carbon atoms stacked in three layers. Chemically removing one layer produces a material which is incredibly thin but also incredibly strong and flexible, with hundreds of uses. And what more possibilities lurk within the nano world? Simple explanations and illustrations combine to make an effective introduction to this complex and fascinating subject.

Overall Rating: 4.5

Building by Henry Cole. Katherine Tegan Books (HarperCollins), 2022, 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 3-6

In late winter, two beavers (male and female, though the text doesn’t say) venture out looking for a place to build a home. They find a bend on a stream with willow trees nearby. Then they set to work: “Building, building/ That’s what beavers do best.” The narrative, simple and straightforward, explains the illustrations in Cole’s equally straightforward, black and white style. Winter warms to spring with light washes of blue sky and tender green leaves. The green grows darker and deeper before fall brings a dash of red and orange. Meanwhile mother beaver gives birth to three babies and father beaver helps protect them as they venture out of the lodge. Ducks and blackbirds and butterflies discover the pond and make it their home. The beavers have created not just a home or a habitat but an entire ecosystem. Because that’s what they do best.

Overall Rating: 4

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Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: Nano technology is a feature in the newer inventions of David Macaulay’s The Way Things Work Now. The Disappearing Spoon offers a fun tour of the periodic table.
• Reviews: The late Steve Jenkins created wonderfully detailed picture books about animal life: see The Beetle Book , The Animal Book, and Eye to Eye.

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