What do you think?
Rate this book
Kid Legends
Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars
With the best elements of KID PRESIDENTS, KID ATHLETES, KID ARTISTS, and KID AUTHORS--colorful illustrations, kid-relatable subjects, and real stories of childhood conflict, comedy, and triumph--KID SCIENTISTS tells true tales from the childhoods of a wide range of the world's most brilliant scientists before they were famous. Did you know:
Jane Goodall, who would become the world's foremost expect on chimpanzees, had a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubliee as a child. She loved animals so much that she was constantly bringing them inside--including worms and snails--much to her mother's horror!
Although he would one day become a brilliant theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking hated school as a child, and spent his free time assembling model airplanes, inventing board games, and even building his own computer.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who became a famous astrophysicist, ran a dog-walking business after school to save up money for a telescope, which he used to observe the skies from the roof of his family's apartment building.
The diverse and inclusive cast ranges from physicists like Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Marie Curie, and Stephen Hawking to inventors like Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla, and includes astronaut Sally Ride, mathematician Katherine Johnson (of Hidden Figures fame), primatologist Jane Goodall, and many more, making it a perfect addition to libraries, classrooms, and kids' home collections alike. With Anoosha Syed's whimsical illustrations bringing every caper, scrape, and sticky situation to life, this book is a fun and approachable introduction to the giants of the scientific world.
Jane Goodall, who would become the world's foremost expect on chimpanzees, had a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubliee as a child. She loved animals so much that she was constantly bringing them inside--including worms and snails--much to her mother's horror!
Although he would one day become a brilliant theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking hated school as a child, and spent his free time assembling model airplanes, inventing board games, and even building his own computer.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who became a famous astrophysicist, ran a dog-walking business after school to save up money for a telescope, which he used to observe the skies from the roof of his family's apartment building.
The diverse and inclusive cast ranges from physicists like Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Marie Curie, and Stephen Hawking to inventors like Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla, and includes astronaut Sally Ride, mathematician Katherine Johnson (of Hidden Figures fame), primatologist Jane Goodall, and many more, making it a perfect addition to libraries, classrooms, and kids' home collections alike. With Anoosha Syed's whimsical illustrations bringing every caper, scrape, and sticky situation to life, this book is a fun and approachable introduction to the giants of the scientific world.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2018
104 people are currently reading
1009 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 11, 2019
I loved this book! I is cool to learn about the childhood of your favorite scientists! There are other ones in the back and I think that is a cool touch!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2019
Kid Legends Series review…
Kid Legends is a multi-author, multi-illustrator series that is a big hit with students. The text and illustration have a casual style that often includes an undertone of sarcasm. Kid Legends is not as far over the edge or a busy as the “You Wouldn’t Want to be…” series, which I find annoying, but they use a little zest with the subject matter. This upbeat tone, even in the accounting of serious childhood struggles, maintains the positive message that all will come out okay for these kids who grow to be adults that make famous contributions to society. Each title (be it Kid Presidents, Kid Scientists, or Kid Authors) maintains a narrow focus on the childhood of the subjects, avoiding adult lives, and is even a little neglectful of their accomplishments as they sidestep any assessments of their talent, work, life or death. And there is the rub. While the books are fantastic at encouraging kids that the struggles of childhood are common through these enticing biographies, several of the subjects are inappropriate for children to engage with at this stage of their lives. Yet students laugh out loud, want to share tidbits, and thoroughly enjoy these titles. Even better, they are challenged to explore their own passions and interests!
Kid Scientists review coming....
Kid Legends is a multi-author, multi-illustrator series that is a big hit with students. The text and illustration have a casual style that often includes an undertone of sarcasm. Kid Legends is not as far over the edge or a busy as the “You Wouldn’t Want to be…” series, which I find annoying, but they use a little zest with the subject matter. This upbeat tone, even in the accounting of serious childhood struggles, maintains the positive message that all will come out okay for these kids who grow to be adults that make famous contributions to society. Each title (be it Kid Presidents, Kid Scientists, or Kid Authors) maintains a narrow focus on the childhood of the subjects, avoiding adult lives, and is even a little neglectful of their accomplishments as they sidestep any assessments of their talent, work, life or death. And there is the rub. While the books are fantastic at encouraging kids that the struggles of childhood are common through these enticing biographies, several of the subjects are inappropriate for children to engage with at this stage of their lives. Yet students laugh out loud, want to share tidbits, and thoroughly enjoy these titles. Even better, they are challenged to explore their own passions and interests!
Kid Scientists review coming....
March 1, 2020
Quite inspiring. This book tells us the backround story on many scientist. Vera Rubin, Issac Newton, Einstein, Ben Franklin, Marie Curie etc. This book tell us about how some of those scientis grow in a poor family, some of them are slaved, left by his own mother. Some of them had autism, been bullied as a kid, but they can get through it.
I try to love this book. I like the Idea, but not how its delivered. Quite boring, I think.
The illustration helps a lot, also the trivia at the the end of this book.
Entah ya, harusnya bisa diantar dengan bahasa yg lebih menyenangkan lagi karena yg dibahas adalah masa kecil para ilmuwan+wati. Target pembacanyapun anak-anak. Ada beberapa ulasan yg terlalu luas (mbeleber ke kisah anggota keluarga lain)...
2,6/5
I try to love this book. I like the Idea, but not how its delivered. Quite boring, I think.
The illustration helps a lot, also the trivia at the the end of this book.
Entah ya, harusnya bisa diantar dengan bahasa yg lebih menyenangkan lagi karena yg dibahas adalah masa kecil para ilmuwan+wati. Target pembacanyapun anak-anak. Ada beberapa ulasan yg terlalu luas (mbeleber ke kisah anggota keluarga lain)...
2,6/5
February 17, 2019
This was such an amazing book and so much fun to read! Each scientist gets their own short story that's packed full of facts and illustrations! This is great for a young reader who wants to know more about their idol or one who is more into nonfiction than fiction. They have a ton of great picks and I love that there was diversity in both race and the science topic!
January 25, 2019
I found this book very interesting and also in particular Vera Rubin and Temple gardien if you have not read this book I support you read all there chapters to find out how they become famous scientists. My favorites were Maire Cuire and Temple Gardin she surprised me on what she did. Very cool! 😎 👩🏻🔬
November 30, 2022
So inspiring!
Το διάβασα στην ελληνική έκδοση:
Μεγάλοι Επιστήμονες όταν ήταν παιδιά! Αληθινές ιστορίες από την παιδική ηλικία σπουδαίων επιστημόνων
Εκδ. Σαββάλας
Το διάβασα στην ελληνική έκδοση:
Μεγάλοι Επιστήμονες όταν ήταν παιδιά! Αληθινές ιστορίες από την παιδική ηλικία σπουδαίων επιστημόνων
Εκδ. Σαββάλας
April 26, 2021
"Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars", is a fantastic biography I had the pleasure of reading when looking around for WOW books. To give a bit of insight, "Kid Scientists", is a collection of stories about famous scientists as they grew up from a child, all the way to an adult and focuses on the famous work they've contributed now. I think this book would be best for any student in grades 3-5, especially in a read aloud setting. What I also like about this book is that it is easy to stop at any point and pick back up on a new story. I admire what the author did, focusing on the lives of scientists as children. I think it could send a strong message to students everywhere that they too can be a scientist, no matter your age, race, or gender.
One way I could use this book for education purposes in my classroom would be when we are actually learning about these people. For example, my field placement teacher taught her students about Jane Goodall not too long ago, and this would be a fantastic way to shine a light on her childhood. Another way I could use this book is when we are talking about what we wanna be when we group up. There is such a stigma on scientists everywhere that they are a man and wear a labcoat. In reality, anyone can be a scientist, and this is such an important message to spread to my students.
This might be self explanatory due to my review above, but this is definitely a major WOW book for me. It highlights the fact that scientists can come from anywhere, and be anyone. This book is also important because it shows that these major scientists that were/are contributing their work to the world now, were once kids just like my students will be. Hopefully, it will be a motivational book for me and my students when I use this in my classroom.
One way I could use this book for education purposes in my classroom would be when we are actually learning about these people. For example, my field placement teacher taught her students about Jane Goodall not too long ago, and this would be a fantastic way to shine a light on her childhood. Another way I could use this book is when we are talking about what we wanna be when we group up. There is such a stigma on scientists everywhere that they are a man and wear a labcoat. In reality, anyone can be a scientist, and this is such an important message to spread to my students.
This might be self explanatory due to my review above, but this is definitely a major WOW book for me. It highlights the fact that scientists can come from anywhere, and be anyone. This book is also important because it shows that these major scientists that were/are contributing their work to the world now, were once kids just like my students will be. Hopefully, it will be a motivational book for me and my students when I use this in my classroom.
July 7, 2018
My budding scientists and Science teachers will be pleased to have a copy of this collection of mini biographies in my 4th and 5th grade libraries. Unlike many biographies, Stabler provides more information on the early lives of a wide variety of giants in the world of the animal, space, medical, and other sciences. Young readers may see themselves in some of the childhood experiences of these influential men and women and it is only a small step for them to then visualize a possible future in similar fields. Anoosha Syed adds her wonderful artwork to round out a solid choice for students in grades 3-6. My reasoning for the 3 star review stems from some of the out of sequence and sometimes unclear passages, especially in the Vera Rubin chapter. Regardless of the less than 5 star writing, I will be adding “Kid Scientists” to my first non-fiction book order for the school year and hope that the final, edited version is even better than the dARC provided to me from Edelweiss.
January 4, 2019
Choice book #4 Quarter 2
The book is Kid Scientists by David Stabler. The genre of the book is Nonfiction and the setting is in the world.
Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson, and Albert Einstein
Jane Goodall was a very curious child she loved all animals and often took them in the house. She had a very wide imagination. She keep worms underneath her pillow and tried everything to keep them in the house, even if it meant hiding them.
Katherine Johnson was a very smart girl that by the age of fourteen she was in collage and getting a degree. She loved counting everything when she was doing the dishes she would count how many. During class when her teacher was looking at the black board she would run to her older brother and sisters classes to help them with there work and then sprint back to her classroom.
Albert Einstein when he was little he had some anger issues. He liked to ask teachers really hard questions and see if they could answer them. Albert's mother hoped that music would provide a positive outlet for her son, but he did not like the teachers and get angry.
A struggle for Jane Goodall is that when she wanted to go to Africa she had to save up a lot of money and that took her a long time.
A struggle for Katherine Johnson was that she was a black girl that wanted a great education but had to work harder to get there then everyone else.
A struggle for Albert Einstein was his anger issue he could get really mad really easily.
This story is about scientists when they were little. But also what were there attitudes and some hard times they were going through, but also the happy times.
I really enjoyed the book because I got to learn about really famous people that have changed our history and what they did and if they liked school and if they didn't like school. My favorite person in the book was Katherine Johnson, because to see how much smarter she was in her family and her grade. By the time her grade was in 8th grade she was in collage and earning a degree. I can't wait to read the next ones. If I was the author I would of not done anything different I love all of the pictures and how you can picture things in your head.
The book is Kid Scientists by David Stabler. The genre of the book is Nonfiction and the setting is in the world.
Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson, and Albert Einstein
Jane Goodall was a very curious child she loved all animals and often took them in the house. She had a very wide imagination. She keep worms underneath her pillow and tried everything to keep them in the house, even if it meant hiding them.
Katherine Johnson was a very smart girl that by the age of fourteen she was in collage and getting a degree. She loved counting everything when she was doing the dishes she would count how many. During class when her teacher was looking at the black board she would run to her older brother and sisters classes to help them with there work and then sprint back to her classroom.
Albert Einstein when he was little he had some anger issues. He liked to ask teachers really hard questions and see if they could answer them. Albert's mother hoped that music would provide a positive outlet for her son, but he did not like the teachers and get angry.
A struggle for Jane Goodall is that when she wanted to go to Africa she had to save up a lot of money and that took her a long time.
A struggle for Katherine Johnson was that she was a black girl that wanted a great education but had to work harder to get there then everyone else.
A struggle for Albert Einstein was his anger issue he could get really mad really easily.
This story is about scientists when they were little. But also what were there attitudes and some hard times they were going through, but also the happy times.
I really enjoyed the book because I got to learn about really famous people that have changed our history and what they did and if they liked school and if they didn't like school. My favorite person in the book was Katherine Johnson, because to see how much smarter she was in her family and her grade. By the time her grade was in 8th grade she was in collage and earning a degree. I can't wait to read the next ones. If I was the author I would of not done anything different I love all of the pictures and how you can picture things in your head.
February 10, 2020
This volume is a collection of short biographies of famous scientists—with a twist! The biographies are focused on how these ground-breaking scientists behaved and learned as children. Readers learn details about the featured individuals' educations, inspirations, gifts, strengths, and weaknesses.
I will admit that I had never heard of many of these individuals, and that is why I loved this book so much. I learned about people who truly made a positive impact on our world through their study of and innovations in science and math.
One thing I noticed as I read through the biographies was that several of the featured individuals were not considered to be ground-shakers as children. Albert Einstein did not speak until he was ready, and his parents feared something was wrong with him because his speech was so delayed. He had a terrible temper and a rebellious streak.
Stephen Hawking did not learn to read until he was eight years old. He hated school, but he always enjoyed learning on his own.
Temple Grandin did not speak until age four, and was eventually diagnosed as being autistic. Her mother spent time with each day reading aloud from The Wizard of Oz. Temple was entranced by the illustrations and soon began reading entire paragraphs independently.
One thing all of the featured scientists had in common was that they had someone special in their lives who nurtured their curiosity and their love of discovery. This encouraging, nurturing, even mentoring caused these individuals to go far.
Another element of this book which I particularly enjoyed was the diversity of the included scientists and mathematicians. Women and men, a variety races and cultures and religions, people from around the world--this book shines a light on the accomplishments of many diverse people with well-deserved respect and admiration.
Highly-recommended to classroom teachers, librarians, parents/grandparents, youth group/science club leaders, and lifelong learners who want to learn something new about these ground-breaking scientists from around the world.
I borrowed this book from the local public library's non-fiction section in the children's collection.
###################
I will admit that I had never heard of many of these individuals, and that is why I loved this book so much. I learned about people who truly made a positive impact on our world through their study of and innovations in science and math.
One thing I noticed as I read through the biographies was that several of the featured individuals were not considered to be ground-shakers as children. Albert Einstein did not speak until he was ready, and his parents feared something was wrong with him because his speech was so delayed. He had a terrible temper and a rebellious streak.
Stephen Hawking did not learn to read until he was eight years old. He hated school, but he always enjoyed learning on his own.
Temple Grandin did not speak until age four, and was eventually diagnosed as being autistic. Her mother spent time with each day reading aloud from The Wizard of Oz. Temple was entranced by the illustrations and soon began reading entire paragraphs independently.
One thing all of the featured scientists had in common was that they had someone special in their lives who nurtured their curiosity and their love of discovery. This encouraging, nurturing, even mentoring caused these individuals to go far.
Another element of this book which I particularly enjoyed was the diversity of the included scientists and mathematicians. Women and men, a variety races and cultures and religions, people from around the world--this book shines a light on the accomplishments of many diverse people with well-deserved respect and admiration.
Highly-recommended to classroom teachers, librarians, parents/grandparents, youth group/science club leaders, and lifelong learners who want to learn something new about these ground-breaking scientists from around the world.
I borrowed this book from the local public library's non-fiction section in the children's collection.
###################
April 28, 2022
This edition covers the pioneers in scientific studies as they started out in childhood & what motivated them to explore, discover, & invent some of the world's greatest achievements. Part one deals with space & the universe & features Sally Ride, Katherine Johnson, Neil deGrasse Tyson (who started a dog walking business so he could earn money for a telescope), & Vera Rubin. Part 2 explores those with green thumbs & a love of animals & nature like Jane Goodall (whose crush on Tarzan fueled her desire to live in the jungle & study chimpanzees), Rachel Carson, George Washington Carver & Temple Grandin. Part 3 features those who were fascinated with invisible forces such as Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein (who didn't speak until he was unhappy with his dinner when he was a toddler), & Rosalind Franklin. Part 4 highlights the inventors looking for a better way of doing things like Ben Franklin (who invented swim fins), Nikola Tesla, Ada Lovelace, & Stephen Hawking. There is also a section full of short but interesting facts on many other famous scientists. This is a fascinating book.
June 12, 2018
What an inspirational book! Kids are going to love reading about these influencial and brilliant scientists. Sometimes we can forgot that these individuals ever were children as they have been placed on such high pedestals. But they began the same as every other human on the planet and passed through childhood, just like everyone else. I think maybe even adults might enjoy reading their stories as they were really very engaging. I think maybe teachers could incorporate this book into lessons on individual scientists in the book; it may inspire some young scholar! Good work Mr. Stabler!
I received a ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
I received a ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
May 16, 2020
El libro se trata de científicos y científicas famosos en el mundo y que fue lo que descubrieron y como lo descubrieron. Mi parte favorita del libro es cuando te dicen que descubrieron y como se usa. Los cientificos que mas me gusto leer fueron Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson y Nicola Tesla. Yo creo que el autor escribe en forma narrativo. En el libro cuentan cómo era la vida de los científicos y cómo alcanzaron sus sueños etc. El libro si me cambio la forma en la que yo pensaba de los científicos porque ahora yo ya se el trabajo que tienen que hacer para descubrir algo y los riesgos que pasan. Yo le recomendaría este libro a niños o niñas de 9 a 11 años.
July 12, 2018
First of all, I received this book as a GoodReads giveaway, and boy am I glad I did! This book is fill with fun facts about a wide variety of famous scientists, with the focus on their lives as youngsters. You'll find the stories to be motivational and inspirational. The author has also written others like this (Kid Presidents for example). If you're a "media specialist" at a school or a public librarian, these would be great books to have available for your readers to peruse. If you have a young reader or two in your life, spring for this book (and the others). I highly recommend it.
June 24, 2018
4.5 Stars
A diverse collection of mini-bios of some of the greatest scientific minds that roughly covers the last couple of centuries. Just like the other books in this series, the scientists are from different backgrounds and cultures and are loosely grouped by subject. There's plenty of amusing artwork and a good selection for further reading at the end. A good choice for middle grades.
Net Galley Feedback
A diverse collection of mini-bios of some of the greatest scientific minds that roughly covers the last couple of centuries. Just like the other books in this series, the scientists are from different backgrounds and cultures and are loosely grouped by subject. There's plenty of amusing artwork and a good selection for further reading at the end. A good choice for middle grades.
Net Galley Feedback
January 5, 2021
What a fun and creative book. I knew most of the scientists but had little to no knowledge of their individual backgrounds. It was enjoyable to learn more about these different scientists, their childhoods, and what shaped them into who they were as an adult / scientist. These are fun stories that children & adults will enjoy reading. (And I loved how each scientist got their own chapter for easy reading.)
November 23, 2018
Another good entry of what I call the “________ were kids, too” series.
One complaint: author claims newts are lizards (p. 143, Rosalind Franklin) when in fact they are amphibians.
Probably an editing mistake: p. 184, should that be Medical and not Medica Research?
Nitpicking aside, still worth a read.
One complaint: author claims newts are lizards (p. 143, Rosalind Franklin) when in fact they are amphibians.
Probably an editing mistake: p. 184, should that be Medical and not Medica Research?
Nitpicking aside, still worth a read.
January 13, 2019
LOVED this book so much! So creative. So many biographies center around the major events in a person’s life, but this book focuses on the childhoods of these famous scientists. They are filled with funny stories, but many have themes about staying curious and overcoming adversities in ways that kids can relate to. The illustrations are also funny. I can’t say enough good things about this book!
June 10, 2019
This is on the Royal Society Young People’s Book Award 2019 shortlist. The children are on one of the judging panels and that is how I came across it.
It reads like a living book (let’s hear a cheer from CM educators); it’s engaging and informative without being obviously didactic.
An inspiring read for children (as it also was for me).
It reads like a living book (let’s hear a cheer from CM educators); it’s engaging and informative without being obviously didactic.
An inspiring read for children (as it also was for me).
October 4, 2019
My 10 year old daughter loved this book and gave it to me to read. It’s a fun way to engage the biographies of a variety of different scientists. I love the diversity of those included and the way that they are illustrated. My daughter has read and enjoyed the entire series, and I love that she is learning about these different important figures.
April 3, 2020
This was a very fun book about some snapshots of famous scientists that we only learn about their adulthood and achievements in textbooks and news. The childhood stories were hilarious and was intriguing to read about where their curious minds were when they were children and what motivated them. Loved the illustrations! Definitely would not have been the same without the illustrations.
June 1, 2023
I read it [translating it, actually] to my kids, before bed, usually. They like it, and we all learn a lot - plus, the drawings are fine. You never know what will trigger their imagination, or ignite some creative power within them [us].
The series is informative [given that it addresses kids] and provides the little ones with great role models.
Kudos!
The series is informative [given that it addresses kids] and provides the little ones with great role models.
Kudos!
February 19, 2019
This is a fun book about scientists when they were kids. It includes a variety of scientists, Jane Goodall, Albert Einstein, Roselind Franklin, George Washington Carver, etc. I really enjoyed it and the illustrations. I think that kids will love it like I did. Highly Recommended.
December 28, 2021
It was amazing to read stories of young scientists and their childhood. It is packed with illustrations for every scientist and I love Vera Rubin, Jane Goodall, it is fascinating to read stories about the makers of our most important things in our day-to-day life.
February 27, 2022
Did you know that Issac Newtons threw a chair at a teacher? Bet you never knew that! Kid Scientists tells amazing and little know facts about super famous scientists. It also tells how they overcame challenges or pursued their goals. I think I like Kid Presidents better, though
April 9, 2023
Through this book, I came to know that smart people are smart because of their parents' inherited genes, a supportive environment to learn, even though the environment doesn't support them, they have a strong learning mentality, and high curiosity.
March 7, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book with my son, learning about the childhoods of famous scientists. I even learned about a few scientists I’ve never heard of. This is such as great series for both kids & adults. I’m looking forward to starting the next one soon.
October 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the stories and little tidbits about famous science and mathematicians I already knew and admire. Great inspirational reading material for an upper elementary-aged child who is an aspiring scientist, inventor or mathematician.
February 9, 2025
Good for kids and adults alike. Reminds you that every great person started out from nothing and that you can apply the kid attitude of wanting to learn how things work and asking questions to any area of your life. The drawings are really good too, and it's a fast read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews