Note-worthy MIT Press Kid's picture books from 2025 (STEM EDUCATION)

The Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist by Patricia Daniele & Illustrated by Junyi Wu

My thoughts:  A well done biographic picture book about a woman who, when it wasn't considered desired or appropriate for women, pursued an education. As she grew and learned all that was available for her to learn, her parents recognized her capabilities and sold all and relocated where she could be mentally engaged and equipped to expand her mind.

A bit more wordy than the average "picture book," but written in a forthright and engaging manner, this is a perfect introduction into reading non-fiction to the young child and reader. The illustrations readily depict a simple young woman (appropriately hair styled and dressed for the time) excitedly pursuing books and scientific equipage as she wonders, experiments, discovers, and further pursues knowledge.

As the first woman to study at MIT, she opened doors for more intelligent and inquisitive women to further their scientific and technological education. But not only did she open doors for women to have access to higher education, she actually achieved scientific successes and make the world a better place in which to live. I believe we have Ellen Swallow to thank for cleaner and safer water and food.

I love that the illustrations are soft yet highly detailed and show the world that Ellen Swallow lived and learned in. I really like how this young readers biography while telling the story of this fantastic trail-blazing woman makes for really good reading, but also how the book is formatted like an "official" biography with author's note, source material, bibliography, and other interesting material at the back. A fine introduction to non-fiction biographic reading.

About the book: Discover the eye-opening story of the first woman student at MIT—a pioneering environmental chemist sure to inspire the next generation of female trailblazers in science.

Ellen Swallow found a friend in nature and a lifelong love of science as a child exploring the woods around her family’s home. She was a voracious learner with an interest in chemistry, and continuing her education at the newly established Massachusetts Institute of Technology seemed a good fit. But in 1871, many believed that women belonged in the home, not in schools dedicated to the study of science. Ellen thought, why not both? She believed science could help solve the problems of everyday life, including the pollution she observed in Boston, so when offered the chance to study the city’s water systems, she seized it. What she found would change the way we think about clean water. In her lifetime, Ellen pioneered science education for women, advocated for a healthier environment, and helped develop the field of ecology. The Girl Who Tested the Waters, with engaging text and soft, inviting illustrations, portrays a woman ahead of her time and her tireless efforts to bring about change for good. Curious readers can find more in the back matter, including a time line, an author’s note, source notes, and a bibliography.

See an Excerpt 

Meena and the Microbiome by Dr. Majdi Osman & Illustrated by Teresa Martínez

My thoughts: An exceptionally sweet story of a conversation between mother and daughter that educates the child about the world within our world consisting of tiny organisms (wee little critters). The discover the scents around us are a byproduct of these wee little critters in the ground and all about and within us. About how our own health and functionality runs smoothly because of these little critters.

They are microbiome and they are everywhere.

Softly illustrated with lots of detail that engages the eye as the mind begins to be tickled with the fact of life in the micro world atop, within, and underneath. It is fascinating and so very well presented.

I highly recommend this MIT Kids Press book. 

About the book: Did you know there are more microbes on Earth than stars in the universe? That some five million microbes live on your hand? A child’s curiosity helps her understand why these tiny organisms make such a big difference in her life.

After the last drop of rain falls, Meena and her mom head outside to their garden, which is bursting with veggies and flowers. But it isn’t the produce that Meena is curious about. It’s the microbes in the soil (giving it that earthy smell), in the compost pile, in our bodies—everywhere!—that have Meena wondering. How do they live? What do they eat? Where did Meena’s own microbiome come from? Comparing microbe communities to a bustling city, where everyone has a job to do, Meena’s scientist mom answers her questions while they garden, gather vegetables for a neighbor, have a snack at the picnic table, and end the day with a sudsy bath. Physician-scientist Dr. Majdi Osman introduces the adorable Meena during a day of eye-opening exploration, while Teresa Martínez’s engaging illustrations capture the mother-daughter pair in perspectives ranging from microscopic to bird’s-eye view. Back matter includes a resource list and an author’s note on the far-reaching role that the microbiome plays in our health and development.

See an excerpt  

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

National Geographic Celebrates Legendary Women: Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman [Review & Giveaway]

Selections for Women’s History Month for younger readers book picks from National Geographic include two new leveled Readers from Nat Geo celebrate legendary women:  Susan B. Anthony and Harriett Tubman.

These two publications are geared to early readers. L1 is for shared reading where an older reader reads a section and then the young reader reads. What each reads is related. For example, the younger reader's portion is a simplification yet brings forth the main idea of the older reader's portion.

L2 is for the young, independent reader.

National Geographic Readers: Susan B. Anthony (L1/Co-Reader)

My thoughts:  Not all children are going to pick up a biography to read. Children tend to live in a fun filled fantasy world. But it is important to encourage them to read the stories of real people who have achieved great things. Real people who have changed the world.

One of those real people was Susan B. Anthony who worked diligently in the Suffrage movement to obtain the right-to-vote for women.

This book presents the information about Anthony and her work in an easy to read and easy to understand mode with lots of side bars and tidbits of information as well as pretty standard paragraphing.

I think the series of "Super Reader" books from National Geographic Kids Books is a superb addition to libraries everywhere.

About the book: Meet one of the most important figures in women's and U.S. history. Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment giving U.S. women the right to vote, learn about Susan B. Anthony's remarkable life, from her childhood to her groundbreaking work.

National Geographic Kids Readers have been a hit in the beginning reader category, and this book builds upon that success with a new approach--parents and children reading together. With the same combination of careful text, brilliant photographs, and fun approach to high-interest subjects that has proved to be a winning formula with kids, National Geographic Co-readers provide one page of adult read-aloud and one page of kid read-aloud text on each spread, building toward a collaborative reading experience.

National Geographic Readers: Harriet Tubman (L2)

My thoughts:  As in any war, there are uprisings, secrets, resistance, and underground movements. The Civil War was fought for various reasons - depending on how you look at it. It was political. It was jurisdictional. It was moral. It was about freeing a people. It simply was a dastardly period of history in America.

Harriet Tubman lived was born as a slave around 1822 and escaped slavery in 1844. From that time forth she worked to help other slaves find freedom. She was even a spy and led a revolt for the Union Army.

The book is well written and the illustrations excellent. I highly recommend for home and any other types of libraries.

About the book: Find out about the life of Harriet Tubman and how her brave actions working to "conduct" the Underground Railroad helped the Union Army in the Civil War lead more than 700 slaves to freedom.

Learn about Harriet Tubman's life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way. The Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers.

National Geographic Readers have been a hit in the competitive beginning reader category, and this book builds on that success with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and fun approach to high-interest biographies of fascinating people such as Harriet Tubman, has proved to be a winning formula with kids.

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 DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies from MMPublicity on behalf of National Geographic to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist or publisher.

To celebrate Women's History Month we look at "Motor Girls: How Women Took the Wheel and Drove Boldly Into the Twentieth Century" (National Geographic Kids Books) by Sue Macy [Review & Giveaway]

To celebrate Women's History Month we are looking at how women drove boldly into the Twentieth Century. Various contributions of women to the events in history and in today's world is highlighted in a variety of manners. Chat With Vera celebrates and acknowledges the women who bravely jumped into the seats of early automobiles and challenged the roads that lead to their abilities to participate more in the events that changed the world. International Women's Day is on March 8.

ISBN 978-1426326974
Ages 10+ - Grades 5 & Up
Hardcover 96 pages $18.99

Motor Girls: How Women Took the Wheel and Drove Boldly Into the Twentieth Century (National Geographic Kids Books) by Sue Macy

Sixty plus pages of photographs and drawings placing various women in automobiles during the turn of the century coupled with text that states the facts of events as they unfolded showing women rolling boldly forward will enable the reader to share the history and excitement of these participants who paved the way so today's women, young and old, would have the opportunity to drive a vehicle themselves and in various capacities.

Theirs was not an easy road. They were faced with strong opposition because they were women and seemingly unsuited for such activities. They drove perilous roads in unstable cars fitted with narrow wheels and weak tires.

History buffs will really enjoy viewing the plethora of antique photographs that vividly tell the story of these strong, adventurous women. I personally found the fragile and open cars daunting and further admire these women who ventured forth in them.

These historic pictures show the lady on the left car is mired in the mud on the road. The man is trying to help her.
The picture on the right shows a lady cranking the car to start it. A lot different from today's ignitions.

This book is surely a tribute to the daring women — Motor Girls, as they were called (and featured in a poem) at the end of the 1800s and early 1900s. Women who dared to change and who dared to learn new skills considered unsuited for them.

These ladies were ambulance drivers in World War I. Quite the controversary to have a woman that near battle
and also to drive. But how brave they were and what a tremendously important task they undertook.

These women, "Motor Girls," chose to drive cars for a variety of reasons. It was fun. It liberated them from the constraints of culture of that time. They could earn money driving a vehicle. It gave them the opportunity to get "out 'n about" on their own.

A good book to have in any library. Be sure to see if your local library has a copy. If they don't, request it.

About the book: Come along for a joy ride in this enthralling tribute to the daring women – Motor Girls, as they were called at the turn of the century – who got behind the wheel of the first cars and paved the way for change. The automobile has always symbolized freedom, and in this book we meet the first generation of female motorists who drove cars for fun, profit, and to make a statement about the evolving role of women. From the advent of the auto in the 1890s to the 1920s when the breaking down of barriers for women was in full swing, readers will be delighted to see historical photos, art, and artifacts and to discover the many ways these progressive females influenced fashion, the economy, politics, and the world around them.

Here is a peek at a few pages to whet your appetite for more. Click here (pdf file)

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 3

ENDS March 24 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only

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A girl with a book in a hammock,

As she gracefully swung to and fro,

Was the dream of the men in the summer,

A very few seasons ago.

The hammock gave way to lawn tennis,

And then came the "bike" for a whirl;

Like shadows in light they all fade out of sight,

giving place to the Motor Girl.

--"The Motor Girl," Lyrics by Charles J. Campbell ©1909

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated.