The Next Scientist: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of the World's Great Scientists
by Kate Messner (Author) Julia Kuo (Illustrator)
Before the world’s great scientists were scientists, they were, in fact, doing all the things kids do:
Taking things apart,
putting things together,
gazing up at the night sky,
drawing, imagining, building, and exploring.
Things that scientists do, too.
This book of unexpected beginnings powerfully shows that the great scientists of the future could be practically anyone . . . including you. Written by Kate Messner, bestselling author of the acclaimed Over and Under nature book series and more than fifty books for young readers, and beautifully illustrated by Julia Kuo, this is a book to gift to any curious kid interested in STEM topics, fascinated by scientific discoveries, and inspired by biographies of people whose work has had an impact on the world.
CALLING FUTURE SCIENTISTS: Where are today’s future scientists? As this book shows, they could be practically anyone doing anything, including the kids reading this book!
CURRICULAR CONNECTION: Students discover all kinds of science in elementary school, from astronomy to zoology. This fun-to-read educational book for kids introduces young learners to the scientists behind some of the world’s most fascinating scientific discoveries.
ACCLAIMED AUTHOR: Kate Messner is an award-winning children’s author of 50+ tremendously popular children’s books, and her science-themed picture books have earned especially high acclaim. Her informative, lyrical text has made her nonfiction a fan-favorite among teachers and parents.
Perfect for:
- Teachers and librarians looking for STEM-themed picture books
- Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction picture books
- A distinctive gift for a science-loving child
- Fans of Kate Messner books, the Who Is/Who Was biography series, and books about scientific discoveries
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Publishers Weekly
Stylish, rotoscope-esque illustrations by Kuo (Luminous) give this inspirational picture book poster-like visual impact as Messner (The Next President) explores the career trajectories of several dozen scientists and researchers of various backgrounds and birth dates. They're pictured first as children, "building stuff," "taking things apart," "sewing and knitting," and more, and then as scientists in adulthood as newspaper-like text draws a direct line between their early interests and their professional arcs. On one page, a young James West takes apart his grandfather's pocket watch, a young Grace Hopper disassembles an alarm clock, and a young Ayah Bdeir explores the inner workings of a portable radio. A page turn shows the trio as adults: microphone innovator West with components of his invention, coding pioneer Hopper in front of a computer, and computer engineer Bdeir with educational toys she developed. Including figures iconic and lesser-known, this pep-talk-like work suggests that STEM careers might have seeds in childhood passions, inviting readers to consider how, if their own interests align, "you might just be the next great astronaut." Ages 8-12. (Aug.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
