On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

When Albert turned 3 and he still was not talking his parents became concerned and then he started talking, he had lots of questions.  Some of his teacher told him he was a disruption to the class.  But Albert had lots of questions.  Questions about Gravity.  Questions about light.  Questions about sound.  Questions about magnestism.  Through his whole life Albert had questions and seeked for answers to these questions, which often led to more questions.  Written is story form, kids will love this biographical look at Einstein's life and the life full of questions he lived.  Great addition to any library. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Pluto Visits Earth! by Steve Metzger

Hilarious!  I love this take on poor Pluto getting the boot to dwarf planet.  Pluto is shocked when a space rock tells him he has lost his title as "planet".  Pluto plans to fight.  He takes off for Earth to discuss the situation.  Along the way he "orbits" into other planets, etc. along the way.  He asks Neptune first. Neptune though has 13 moons to keep track of and can't help Pluto.  He continues his journey towards Earth, ready for a fight.  Once there he surprises the astronomers and tries to explain his dislike for being changed to a dwarf planet.  A young boy arrives and explains to Pluto that no matter what his title is, he is still his favorite.  This made Pluto feel much better and change his mind about being made a "dwarf plane."  Great fun book packed with factual info about the planets!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Fancy Nancy: Stellar Stargazer by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser

Fancy Nancy is very excited to be sleeping outside under the stars with her dad and sister JoJo. Fancy Nancy provides her little sister with lots of information about space and in true fancy way, lots of great vocabulary. I do not get much of an opportunity to read Fancy Nancy at our house, but since the boy LOVES space, he was ok with this book. (And really he will usually listen to anything once....) I have a feeling we might be reading this one again.

Meet Einstein by Mariela Kleiner

Meet Einstein is a simple, easy to understand "younger" kid introduction to science and the role Einstein played in in many if the concept we now know by name. The book starts with an explanation of what a scientist is and what they do.

"Scientist study the Earth and sky. They also study animals, plants, and even our bodies! Scientists like to ask lots of questions about why things happen and how things work. "

You do not want to miss the endpages! I love the endpages - covered with "tools" scientist use to do their job. From gloves to petri dish each item has an explanation of how that item might be used in the "scientific" world. Meet Einstein is a great introduction to the world of science for even the smallest learner!

Text:4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Energy Island by Allan Drummond

The island of Samso in Denmark is no different than any other place....except over the course of the last ten years, the citizens of Samso have become almost completely energy-independent. The transformation began when teacher Soren Hermansen was selected to lead the energy independent project. Hermansen quickly learned that the kids of Samso was much easier to convince then the older residents of the island. When a storm of sleet and snow knocks out electricity to the whole island except to the one resident who has turbine, the residents do not need any further convincing. Based on the true account of the people of this island and their journey of energy conservation. A nonfiction story, told as a narrative, including side bars with factual information, this book could be used in conjunction with energy, Earth Day, and renewable and nonrenewable lessons.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves