The Science Girls

PreS-Gr 1–A lively primer into scientific inquiry, Aki’s fourth book of 16 intrepid girls is a charming exploration of engaging with scientific tools, processes, and ideas. Rhyming couplets accompany clean, bright art as the young scientists enter a lab to “gather, test, assess, [and] discern” objects like a ball, feather, balloon, and shell to classify and separate. Basic skills, and wondering about these items, are brilliantly woven into the story structure as the girls begin experimenting with undefined “tools like these.” Adults will recognize the tools as beakers, tubes, a microscope, magnifying glass, and other lab staples, which provides an opportunity for discussion. Hilariously, an unexpected chemical reaction lands on three girls, and others examine the results calmly, instilling scientific ideals of resiliency and observation. The scientists trek outside to continue their work in different seasons, contributing by picking up trash and setting up a birdhouse, as well as sketching and caring for plants. Several beautiful, full-bleed spreads articulate the value of outdoor discovery, including simple acts of cloud-watching and bird-watching. Back matter includes information on the value of science and three areas the girl scientists delve into: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science.