Colorful books welcome kids to world of science

In first grade, I loved science. Ms. Tarner taught us fascinating facts about the birds that lived in our backyards. Half a century later, I remember how exciting it was to know which bird built which kind of nest.

From second grade on, science was drudgery. Magnets nearly finished me off. Science projects were the guaranteed low point of every year. The USA would have to trust some other student to save it from Sputnik.

Two of our four children chose science as their careers, so at least my science phobia wasn't contagious. Now with a grandchild, I'm positively ebullient about science. Bugs, bubbles, birds and beaches are endlessly entertaining and educational.

Some of the science books for preschool and elementary children are shelved with the picture books. Others are relegated to the nonfiction 500 and 600 sections. Your friendly librarian or bookstore person will gladly show you the way.

The "About" series written by Cathryn Sill and published by Peachtree Press in Atlanta is a great place to start. For each full-page color illustration, there is one line of text. At the end of the book, each color plate is printed again with a paragraph of explanation. The series includes amphibians, arachnids, birds, crustaceans, fish, insects, mammals, mollusks and reptiles.

For children ages 4-8, Sylvan Dell Publishing in Mount Pleasant has excellent science books. "If a Dolphin Were a Fish" by Loran Wlodarski is a fun story that teaches children the differences between creatures and subtley conveys the message that each creature is special in its own way.

"The Rainforest Grew All Around" by Susan K. Mitchell is perfect for celebrating "World Rainforest Week, which began Oct. 18.

"Octavia Octopus and Her Purple Ink Cloud" by Doreen and Donna Rathmell is marine biology made accessible to kids. The story teaches the essentials of camouflage for sea creatures as well as the life lesson of "practice makes perfect." As with each Sylvan Dell book, the story ends with a section "For Creative Minds and Activities." At the Web site sylvandellpublishing.com each book is linked to both national and state standards.

Old "Satchmo" was right when he sang about children: "They'll know so much more than I'll ever know." This is a good thing.

Reach Fran Hawk at ffranbooks@yahoo.com