Sometimes Math is like Spinach

Believe it or not, these books are about math and science! You can just let the kids think they are fun stories if you like....they'll get the science and not even realize it! (like hiding the spinach in the pasta sauce).

Come See the Earth Turn: the Story of Leon Foucault By Lori Mortensen , Illustrations by Raul Allen
Have you ever gone to a science museum and seen the giant pendulum hanging from the ceiling slowly swaying and knocking down pins? Thank Leon Foucault. Leon Foucault was he the first person to photograph the sun and accurately measure the speed of light. However, his most important discovery proved that the earth spins on an axis. "Come See the Earth Turn" shows how Léon created his world famous pendulum, an invention that would prove to the public and his critics that the earth rotated.

The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett
Rabbits multiply.... in this endearing picture book full of pop-ups and flaps you will meet a rabbit family as they progress through a year of welcoming more and more little ones into their family. You might inadvertently learn about an amazing math concept called a Fibonacci sequence. But this is a book about rabbits.

The Fibonacci sequence is: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55,89, 144,… you add the previous two numbers to get the third. (you can see where the rabbits come in here!) The Fibonacci numbers appear everywhere in nature, from the leaf arrangement in plants, to the pattern of the florets of a flower, the bracts of a pinecone, or the scales of a pineapple.

Fibonacci is still recognized today as the greatest European mathematician of the middle ages. He was one of the first people to introduce the Hindu-Arabic number system into Europe -the same decimal system we now use today. In 1202 he studied the mathematics of reproducing rabbits.

To learn more about Fibonacci, read "Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci" by Joseph D’Agnese.

Ewww Gross!

In the spirit of spring and rain and mud I had to mention my favorite gross book, "Toad," by Ruth Brown. This is one of my favorite examples of a children's book with wonderfully descriptive language.

"He's nasty, septic, toxic and bitter"

"He's odorous, oozing, foul and filthy"

"You will just fall in love with him!

A new twist on an old fable

Here is a delightful new twist on an old fable by Aesop. Margie Palatini's Lousy Rotten Stinkin' Grapes adds some wonderful new characters and loads of personality to the old tale of "The Fox and the Grapes." You won't be able to resist adding voices for each character with this book that is fun to read aloud to children of all ages.

A President's Best Friend

President Franklin Roosevelt was a very busy man with little time for fun. No matter what, he always made time for his best friend Fala, a little black Scottish terrier. In "First Dog Fala" , by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, you'll meet this sweet little dog and learn how he made the dark days of World War II a great deal sunnier for one our most beloved presidents.

Sir Ryan's Quest

In the book, Sir Ryan's Quest by Jason Deeble, Ryan takes the reader on an imagination adventure. Ryan's adventure begins when he crawls into the kitchen cupboard. The pots and pans inform Ryan he must take his armor and begin a quest. While on his Quest, Ryan climbs mountains, trapses through the jungle,visits a castle and even encounters a monster. This is a great story with eye-catching pictures. If you want to find out what happens on Sir Ryan's adventures check out this book!

Quiet in the Garden

After a long and cold winter it is so nice to be able to enjoy the warm weather! Along with warm weather comes beautiful gardens. Quiet in the Garden written and illustrated by Aliki provides the reader with vibrant and vivid pictures as well as an interesting story. The little boy in the story explains that while you sit quietly in the garden you will find there is more than meets the eye. The quiet boy is able to see and hear all sorts of sounds coming from the animals. The last page in the book also shows you how you can make your own quiet garden! If you would like to experience the colorful pictures and clever story be sure to check out Quiet in the Garden.

What do Naked Mole Rats Wear?

Q: What do Naked Mole Rats Wear?

A: Anything they want! (or not!)

Don't miss Mo Willems' charming new book "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed." Wilbur the mole rat likes to wear clothing despite the disapproval he gets from the other mole rats. When they tell him that mole rats do not wear clothes, he replies "Why not?" This is a great book about asserting your individuality.

Also try "Hop Jump" by Ellen Stoll Walsh where Betsy, a young frog who loves to dance, helps the others to realize there is room for everyone - hoppers, jumpers, and dancers alike.