What Is Science?

by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Sachiko Yoshikawa (Illustrator)

A whirlwind tour through the intriguing world of science

What exactly is science? Stars and planets, rocks and soil, hurricanes and airplanes―science is all of these things and so much more. It's also about asking questions and exploring possible answers.

Through simple words and child-friendly illustrations, this poetic picture book introduces young children to the exciting and ever-changing world of science.

What Is Science? is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Poetry, Storytime, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 8, 2006

About the author

Rebecca is a poet and picture book author of such titles as What is Science? (a 2006 Subaru SB&F prize finalist), and Lemonade Sun (an American Booksellers "Pick of the Lists"). Her work is featured widely in poetry anthologies and textbooks. Rebecca promotes children's poetry, giving presentations and workshops to students, teachers, librarians and writers. She lives in Indiana.

Reviews

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dotlich’s introductory non-fiction book helps readers put the ‘I’ in science as they see how it affects everyday life. A clever rhyme scheme and bright, striking illustrations depict kids embracing curiosities as they explore the inner workings of things like hurricanes, volcanoes, planes and rockets, the planetary system and more. This book is perfect for inquisitive minds who like to ask questions and learn the answers in a fun way.

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!

[Noah Rachal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way the book is structured, in poem form, is only fitting for the demeanor of the book. The many aspects of science are all listed in a compliment to the rhythm of the poetic balance. The moon, stars, rivers, sun, snow, fossils, etc.. are all mentioned. No real knowledge into depth is explained... it's really just a matter of "what is science?" and a response of "science is ___, ___, and ___". That is pretty much the flow of the book, It's short and simple. I feel like it's for kids around the ages of 5-7.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently bought this book at a bookfair. It is sooo cute, and has very vivid illustrations. Great kids book. Mostly picutes and a sentence on each page, so great bedtime story.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not like science throughout school, including college. I found the subject difficult, and thus decided not to like it (much to the consternation of both my parents, one a biologist and the other a geologist). However, after I left school I realized through reading that I actually did like science. I just hadn't liked in the grueling pace and often uninteresting (at least to me) presentation I had learned about it in school. These days I read all kinds of science stuff: space, biology, natural history, etc. I wonder if perhaps a book presenting science in this way--a diverse investigation of a multitude of things with characters who appear to be having a lot of fun--might have helped me earlier on. Maybe I still would've been close-minded to the idea, but I hope that this book does help other children who are reluctant to take an interest in science, even if it's just as something to learn about in their spare time, and continue to encourage those who already are interested!

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking for a good picture book for our younger students as a lead-in to our school's foray into science fairs. This short, rhyming book is a sweet intro to the idea that science is a lot of different things, so many things, and goes on to encourage a kid's natural curiosity saying "So into the earth, and into the sky, we question the how, the where, when, and why. We question, we wonder, we hunt and explore the secrets of caves, the dark ocean floor." Vivid color illustrations showcase a diverse group of kids (and one dog) exploring the world around them. I look forward to sharing this with my K-1 students.

[Megan Causey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Nonfiction- Concept Book
Awards: n/a
Audience: 5-7 years old
A. The topic of this book is science.
B. It is presented in a child-friendly way because it is described in a very straightforward and simplified way. Also, it contains bright colors and interesting illustrations that grab the child's attention.
C. Some text features that are utilized are very simplified "maps" and differing text sizes that portray the importance of certain words.
D. This book could be used in a read aloud to a classroom with young children who are just learning what science is. I think it would be a helpful introduction to their first science lesson.

[Joecel Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Is Science is a great book for early readers. It is also a good book if you want to introduce science to your kids. This book includes most of the famous branches of Science like Biology, Zoology, Botany, and many more. Besides the scientific terminology, it also explains what those words are and give examples for the readers. This is a good book from grades K-2. The illustrator also gives a vivid illustration of the things the author mentioned like bacterias, flowers, even human cells. These things are important because as an illustrator, you want your readers to see what was mentioned in the story.

[Edna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for young and early readers. It is also great to use when introducing a science lesson for younger grades. I like how this book also includes scientific terminology. I could use this to expand my students’ vocabulary. It touches the different areas of science for example, Biology. The author did awesome by having the definition and examples of what Biology and other areas of specialization are and mean. Illustrations in this book are stunning. They are realistic, and have vivid colors. I want to use this book in my classroom when introducing my students to probably their first science lesson with me. I want to teach Kinder or First grade and this book will be a great fit.

[Mari Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science is not my go-to subject or my strongest subject, but this book explained what science can be in such an inspirational way. It gave many many examples of what scientists study. From animals, to trains, to soil and bones, this book covers such a wide variety of what science can look like. This would be an awesome book to read to kiddos when introducing science, and I think it will inspire so many kids to explore the subject.

[Alexis Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This simple and well-rhymed children’s book about what science is about was a very fun read. It breaks down what the general field of science studies and it doesn’t do it in a way that makes it sound complicated, nor boring. The illustrations of the kids and the stars and the other stuff look simple and pretty to capture the little readers attention. Overall, this book gives young people a chance to be intrigued about science and learning about it more.

[Jami Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how bright and colorful the illustrations are in the book. I think it is a good introduction book for first graders to explore science. I love the double spread with the monkey hanging from the tree. The dog is hanging like the monkey too. I like how the book incorporates the how, where, when, and why. This is a good book to get the reader's attention and possibly get them to enjoy science.

[Amanda Calegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming book is a great introduction book to what science really is. This is a very simple book however it discusses the importance of what science is all about. This book can make many students fall in love with what science is and make them want to come to school to take part in the science aspect of the day especially younger kids. This has many great illustrations and is very colorful and also included many real life examples as to what science is.

[Hannah Falgout · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What is Science" by Rebecca Kai Dotlich.
This book is a book to introduce what science is. It talks about how science is all around us. The pictures are brightly colored and look like the illustrations were done on a computer. It also discusses how we question why, when, and how in science. This book is great for kids just being introduced to science. It's an easy read, and the words are simple.

[Sarah Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be a great introduction to both poetry and science. This book offers many science topics, in a simple format to be digested easily for young learners of science. It also infers the importance of staying curious and learning, an important science skill, and life skill for young children.

[Kelsey Nunez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cute book. I loved the illustrations. I think the illustrations are perfect for young kids. This book is about science and all the things that science talks about. I really enjoyed reading this book. I think it is perfect in kids in k-2 grade.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an elementary science teacher and I use this every year as an introduction to the many aspects of science.

[Portable · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great rhyming picture book that introduces the basic ideas behind science, and provides a useful introduction to our Unit of Inquiry into investigations.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple picture book suitable for preschool children.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was introduced and recommended at a recent training I attended. I was hopeful that it would be a good lead into our new science program, but it wasn't. While this is probably good for younger children, this didn't hold much for fourth grade. The categories weren't really categories, just broad topics that would be included in science. There was nothing meaty for us to build upon.

Nothing wrong with the book, just not age appropriate for my students.

[Sushma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautifully made. This book made my kids to be engaged in know science. Among all that present they remembered the volcano.
I recommend this book to kids age 2-6

[Georgina Rump · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good hook for kids of all ages. Can begin conversations

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checked out from WD library

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is okay. It essentially lists many of the fields within the broad scope of "science." What it doesn't do is address the characteristics of engagement -- the scientific approaches -- that are common to all of the sciences. In understanding "What is science?" I think it's more meaningful to identify what unifies scientists -- an interest in asking questions and seeking answers, a desire to observe, theorize, and test, and a drive for inquiry. None of those ways of thinking and approaching work were addressed in the book. Even so, the book is cute and has it's own use.

[Melissa Sommer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great beginning book to reads to students starting a science lesson. It ryhmes on each page as it mentions different things on the earth that are part of science. I liked this book because children can easily interact with the book as you are reading it. There are questions throughout the book and the poetry will keep the students attention.

[funny dot J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Is Science uses rhymes and great illustration to give examples of what things that science deals with. It covers many fields, such as geography, biology, and even technology (trains and planes). The drawings are cute and captivating, and show stuffs that kids are familiar with, such as catching butterflies. Hope to find more of such science themed picture books.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple introduction to the concept of science for the youngest kids. I plan to read this one to our PreK classes this week, when they are learning the answer to the question, "How Can I Investigate the World Around Me?"

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there was not much scientific explanation in this book, the pictures are great and gave my toddler and I a lot to talk about while effectively conveying science is all around us.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a brief introduction of science in a general way written in rhyme.

[Viv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for introducing the concepts of science to preschoolers. I used it for my science story time and it worked out great!

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations. Simple and to the point rhyming sentences on each page. Covers how science is stars, plants, animals, rocks, etc. Perfect intro to science for the 5 and under crowd.