Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design Around the World

Gr 1-5--Fifteen innovative inventions from all over the world are highlighted in this fascinating look at nature-inspired design, or biomimicry. From birds to bullet trains, beetles to water bottles, and honeycomb to housing projects, each invention focuses on ways it imitates a physical characteristic of an animal, plant, or habitat. Children will delight in such futuristic designs as an armadillo-inspired collapsible car and a flexible robotic arm with octopus-like tentacles. Spreads with colorful illustrations and spare, lyrical text written in the form of Japanese tanka poems (which follow a set number of syllables on each line) invite careful attention to both words and pictures. Whether this is a science book written as poetry, or a poetry book written about science, the text could easily be adapted to lessons from the primary grades all the way though middle school. Back matter includes a detailed description of each invention and its natural counterpart, author's notes explaining more about nature-inspired design and Japanese tanka poems, and an extensive list of sources. VERDICT A fascinating and creative look at a little-known STEM topic that is accessible to a wide audience. Highly recommended.--Sue Morgan

* "Hale's accessible tanka poems pack a lot into five lines. The softness of her detailed relief prints effectively contrasts with the photographs highlighting human invention." — The Horn Book, starred review

* "Whether this is a science book written as poetry, or a poetry book written about science, the text could easily be adapted to lessons from the primary grades all the way though middle school. . . A fascinating and creative look at a little-known STEM topic." — School Library Journal, starred review

"A true STEAM book." — Booklist

"This delicious picture book pairs attractive illustrations of natural phenomena. . . Inspiring, lovely to look at, and well presented." — Kirkus Reviews

Best Books, New York Public Library