Category: STEM Friday

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The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves

When I saw The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves by Richard Sobol (Traveling Photographer) in a list of nonfiction picture book titles nominated for the Cybils recently, I knew I had to pick it up. I reviewed Sobol’s The Mysteries of Angkor Wat last year and I loved his style. Even better, I have raised silkworms several times as a science project for kids, so I knew this book would be high interest.

It did not disappoint. Sobol traveled to Thailand to document their process of raising silkworms and weaving cloth. The book is filled with his full color photographs and interviews. Sobol is wonderful at making the story about people and particularly the local children. Children are going to be amazed to learn that the girls of the village wear silk dresses. They also have a not so glamorous job to help with silk production. The young girls must pick any caterpillar droppings off the cocoons before they are processed (Sobol uses a more explicit word – poop).

Silkworm Cocoon

A silkworm cocoon

The photographs in the book of the white caterpillars munching on bright green mulberry leaves kept in a large round bamboo basket was fascinating. We kept out caterpillars in plastic bins, but I bet a bamboo basket would build up less moisture.

We never boiled the cocoons to make silk, so had not seen that part of the process. I’m sure children will love the “ick” factor when they find out that people eat the boiled silkworm pupae once the cocoons have been processed. It is good to know that the pupae are not wasted.

The Story of Silk is perfect to accompany a history lesson about the Silk Road or a geography lesson about Asia. It also would be great for a science lesson about insects accompanied by some live silkworms.

Silkworm life stages:

 Silkworm eggs

 

 Silkworm caterpillar spitting silk

The silkworm cocoon is above. The caterpillar spins the silk cocoon and then turns into a pupa inside.

Male silkworm moth

Related:

The Silkworm Story: A Thread through History at Growing With Science

Reading level: Ages 6 and up
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (September 25, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0763641650
ISBN-13: 978-0763641658

 

 

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon is the picture book version of the rousing and heartwarming story of a young Malawi boy who read some donated science books and pieced together a working windmill that eventually brought electricity and water to his village. Talk about science and technology in action.

The original book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope  by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, revealed the story to young adults and adults. Now this picture book makes it accessible to youngsters who will hopefully be inspired by it.

Not only does the story show that hard work and perseverance pay off, but it is also gives a glimpse into the culture and challenges of living in Malawi. Plus, there’s the important message that reading books for the library can bring good things. Nice!

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will fire up young children who like to tinker with things to keep tinkering. In these times of looking for alternative forms of power, who knows where that could lead.

Related:

Activities for kids to explore wind and wind power

William Kamkwamba’s TED presentation

Review of Wonderful Windmills book for children interested in learning more about windmills

This book was from my local library, a wonderful place to visit.

Reading level: Ages 6 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Dial (January 19, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0803735111
ISBN-13: 978-0803735118

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope  by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: William Morrow; Reprint edition (July 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061730335
ISBN-13: 978-0061730337

 

 

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

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Awesome Autumn is Awesome Book

Awesome Autumn:  All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun by photographer Bruce Goldstone is a wonderful celebration of fall through all the senses.

As you can see from the cover, Goldstone’s beautiful photography celebrates the vibrant color of fall leaves. He also has pages about how autumn feels, how autumn tastes, how it sounds and although he doesn’t have a page for it, you definitely get an idea of the smells of autumn as well, from decaying leaves to Thanksgiving dinner. He also points out some autumn shapes.

You might get an idea from the above paragraph that this book is for preschoolers. However, nestled between these simpler two-page spreads are denser discussions of topics like migration and hibernation. This is definitely a book that could be used with mixed-age groups. It would also grow with children, so they would be able to revisit it over several years and still find new things.

In the back are quick instructions to several hands-on fall activities such as making pressed leaves and roasting pumpkin seeds.

Awesome Autumn:  All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun will definitely appeal to nature lovers, and is perfect for lessons on autumn, seasons, and weather. I guarantee you will want a copy for your shelf.

Growing With Science has some suggestions for related science activities

Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (August 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805092102
ISBN-13: 978-0805092103

 

 

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

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Captain Kidd’s Crew Experiments with Sinking and Floating

What a better way to get children excited about STEM than having pirates explain scientific concepts? Captain Kidd’s Crew Experiments with Sinking and Floating by Mark Weakland and illustrated by Troy Cummings is an enticing mix of science and pirate high jinx that will capture the most jaded reader (but hopefully not make them walk the plank).
Mark Weakland knows his stuff when it comes to sinking and floating. He deftly explains concepts like buoyancy and displacement in remarkably few words, but also making them both concrete and clear.

Illustrator Troy Cummings knows what sort of artwork appeals to children. His pirates are wacky enough to be appealing to the modern sophisticated child, adding to the fun while clarifying the concepts presented in the text.

Captain Kidd’s Crew Experiments with Sinking and Floating is perfect for reluctant readers and those who prefer fiction, but is also treats the topic in a fully scientific way that will please budding physicists as well. This book definitely floats to the top of the pile.

Reading level:  2-3, ages 5-8
Publisher: Picture Window Books -an imprint of Capstone(January 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1404872361
ISBN-13: 978-1404872363

The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.