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From BAM! to BURP!: A Carbon Atom's Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and YOU
Follow the carbon atom from its creation millions of years ago to today. It’s been part of many things—from early volcanic gases, to plants the dinosaurs devoured, to your breakfast burp!
By award-winning children’s author Melissa Stewart, this epic nonfiction picture book for 5-9-year-olds is a perfect mash-up of science and history that STEM-seekers will eat up!
Follow the carbon atom on an epic adventure! Scientists say a collision happened billions of years ago between the young Earth and a smaller body they call Theia. Carbon atoms were trapped inside the Earth’s crust after this collision until a volcano erupted, thrusting tons of ash and gases—including the CO2 team—high into the sky. The carbon atom headed off!
Over millions of years, carbon has been part of all kinds of things, including dozens of plants and animals, plus plenty of objects that come from living things. The carbon atom and its two oxygen buddies can even build a sugar molecule in a towering sugar maple tree. When the watery sap boils in a giant vat, it becomes thick, sweet maple syrup. That syrup might end up on YOUR pancakes. When you let out a deep breath, the CO2 team leaves your lungs. As it rises up, up through your throat . . . BURP!
You never know where a carbon atom will go next. . . . Get ready to take off on an epic ride, full of science and history, and go From BAM! to BURP!
By award-winning children’s author Melissa Stewart, this epic nonfiction picture book for 5-9-year-olds is a perfect mash-up of science and history that STEM-seekers will eat up!
Follow the carbon atom on an epic adventure! Scientists say a collision happened billions of years ago between the young Earth and a smaller body they call Theia. Carbon atoms were trapped inside the Earth’s crust after this collision until a volcano erupted, thrusting tons of ash and gases—including the CO2 team—high into the sky. The carbon atom headed off!
Over millions of years, carbon has been part of all kinds of things, including dozens of plants and animals, plus plenty of objects that come from living things. The carbon atom and its two oxygen buddies can even build a sugar molecule in a towering sugar maple tree. When the watery sap boils in a giant vat, it becomes thick, sweet maple syrup. That syrup might end up on YOUR pancakes. When you let out a deep breath, the CO2 team leaves your lungs. As it rises up, up through your throat . . . BURP!
You never know where a carbon atom will go next. . . . Get ready to take off on an epic ride, full of science and history, and go From BAM! to BURP!
- GenresNonfictionPicture Books
40 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
20 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Stewart
291 books183 followersMelissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 5, 2025
"Finally, the carbon atom was heading off on a new adventure."
A brilliant way of teaching kids about atoms, science, chemistry.
Oh I love STEM in children's book.
You can see from page 1 what a cool book this is. With beautiful illustrations and informative text. From BAM! To BURP! follows the life of a carbon atom through the never-ending carbon cycle, in space, in time, in us. I loved the illustrations with the dinosaurs and the planets.
That's so cool.
Beautiful and informative book. I am just a bit hesitant on the title of the book : not sure if I would have picked it up if I didn't see the subtitle mentionning the cycle of the atom of carbon. It's a bit hard to understand at first glance what the book is about.
A brilliant way of teaching kids about atoms, science, chemistry.
Oh I love STEM in children's book.
You can see from page 1 what a cool book this is. With beautiful illustrations and informative text. From BAM! To BURP! follows the life of a carbon atom through the never-ending carbon cycle, in space, in time, in us. I loved the illustrations with the dinosaurs and the planets.
That's so cool.
Beautiful and informative book. I am just a bit hesitant on the title of the book : not sure if I would have picked it up if I didn't see the subtitle mentionning the cycle of the atom of carbon. It's a bit hard to understand at first glance what the book is about.
October 13, 2025
Many students are familiar with the water cycle, but what about atoms and the carbon cycle? This book of expository literature brings to life the less visible history and movement of carbon atoms through space, time, and our bodies. Stewart’s passion for presenting science topics is reflected in the carefully chosen text structure, with a strong narrative voice and rich, engaging language, including kid-favorites like “Bam!”, “Burp!” and “Kaboom!”. From rotting jack-o-lanterns and toilet paper, to maple syrup and our breath, Stewart makes a complex topic more engaging by providing interesting examples of things carbon is a part of, with “BURP!” as the punch line. Álvarez Miguéns’ digitally-illustrated atoms feature charming cartoon-like faces that express a variety of emotions to reflect movement and weather conditions. The book’s rich back matter includes a “Wonder Wall” with carbon facts, an illustrated carbon cycle diagram, and a note from both author and illustrator on their inspiration and process. While the book is not explicitly about climate change, the notes in the back include information about how carbon atoms contribute to global warming. This book would complement science units for ages 5 and up. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
September 6, 2025
"From BAM! to BURP!" transforms the complex carbon cycle into an engaging adventure by following a single carbon atom across billions of years. Author Melissa Stewart makes a brilliant choice by personifying this atom as the "star of our story," allowing young readers to grasp atomic recycling in a kid-friendly way. Stewart's humor (like the atom showing up in toilet paper) make this a delightful read.
Marta Álvarez Miguéns' vibrant illustrations perfectly complement the narrative, depicting the atom as an adorable character with expressive eyes that children can connect with emotionally. Particularly effective are scenes showing diverse children in classroom settings, helping readers visualize themselves as part of this cosmic story. When the book reveals that the carbon atom entered "your body" through maple syrup on pancakes, children see themselves literally in the narrative and understand how the atom's journey affect them personally.
The book's educational value extends through comprehensive back matter, including a "Wonder Wall" that answers questions curious readers will ask. Stewart and Miguens successfully bridge entertaining storytelling with rigorous science education, revealing the invisible connections linking us to the entire universe.
Marta Álvarez Miguéns' vibrant illustrations perfectly complement the narrative, depicting the atom as an adorable character with expressive eyes that children can connect with emotionally. Particularly effective are scenes showing diverse children in classroom settings, helping readers visualize themselves as part of this cosmic story. When the book reveals that the carbon atom entered "your body" through maple syrup on pancakes, children see themselves literally in the narrative and understand how the atom's journey affect them personally.
The book's educational value extends through comprehensive back matter, including a "Wonder Wall" that answers questions curious readers will ask. Stewart and Miguens successfully bridge entertaining storytelling with rigorous science education, revealing the invisible connections linking us to the entire universe.
December 8, 2025
"From BAM! to BURP!" transforms the complex carbon cycle into an engaging adventure by following a single carbon atom across billions of years. Author Melissa Stewart makes a brilliant choice by personifying this atom as the "star of our story," allowing young readers to grasp atomic recycling in a kid-friendly way. Stewart's humor (like the atom showing up in toilet paper) make this a delightful read.
Marta Álvarez Miguéns' vibrant illustrations perfectly complement the narrative, depicting the atom as an adorable character with expressive eyes that children can connect with emotionally. Particularly effective are scenes showing diverse children in classroom settings, helping readers visualize themselves as part of this cosmic story. When the book reveals that the carbon atom entered "your body" through maple syrup on pancakes, children see themselves literally in the narrative and understand how the atom's journey affect them personally.
The book's educational value extends through comprehensive back matter, including a "Wonder Wall" that answers questions curious readers will ask. Stewart and Miguens successfully bridge entertaining storytelling with rigorous science education, revealing the invisible connections linking us to the entire universe.
Marta Álvarez Miguéns' vibrant illustrations perfectly complement the narrative, depicting the atom as an adorable character with expressive eyes that children can connect with emotionally. Particularly effective are scenes showing diverse children in classroom settings, helping readers visualize themselves as part of this cosmic story. When the book reveals that the carbon atom entered "your body" through maple syrup on pancakes, children see themselves literally in the narrative and understand how the atom's journey affect them personally.
The book's educational value extends through comprehensive back matter, including a "Wonder Wall" that answers questions curious readers will ask. Stewart and Miguens successfully bridge entertaining storytelling with rigorous science education, revealing the invisible connections linking us to the entire universe.
August 16, 2025
How Melissa Sweet takes questions from a student at an author visit and turns it into this amazing book that travels through space and time to show kids the science of a carbon atom I have no idea. Yet, she does. She does it masterfully and allows inquisitive minds to explore the science throughout the book. Every bit of the science is backed up with backmatter to explain it a bit further. The simple text makes this book a read a loud possibility (that may be accentuated by kids belching, but that is the science in the book). Illustrations by Marta Alvarez Miguens keep the details connected for students with engaging and fun illustrations that cross the gutter and engage the reader and listener alike. I cannot wait to have the book in my two elementary libraries, so I can share it with students!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to review this book virtually!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to review this book virtually!
November 8, 2025
FROM BAM! TO BURP! is a super creative, fun, informative book. The author invites the reader to join a carbon atom (an adorable, expressive cartoon version) on its adventurous journey across billions of years, from a rocky planet through a dinosaur and lots of other things to a burp. This potentially complex subject is made engaging and understandable. The illustrations are clear, colorful and delightful. I loved the “Wonder Wall” at the back that answered questions and provided interesting facts. An author’s note talks about her process and challenges in creating the book. Perfect for anyone with curiosity.
October 30, 2025
Stewart is one of the queens of narrative nonfiction and presents complex science in easier-to-read format that even this non-chemistry person can understand. Her word choices are a fine match for the audience of young readers with explanations of the carbon cycle that includes the familiar.
July 19, 2025
4 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher
A carbon atom's journey through time and transformation into the burp of a student today. This is well researched an represented.
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher
A carbon atom's journey through time and transformation into the burp of a student today. This is well researched an represented.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews