From: Barbara Tobin <barbtobin>
Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2005 16:23:35 -0400

Vicki Cobb wrote:
<Please don't forget me. I've written quite a few science books for kids and I have a free(!) weekly column on EducationWorld.com called
"Show-Biz Science" Here's the link: http://www.educationworld.com/ a_lesson/archives/showbiz_science.shtml >


I'm glad Vicki spoke up. I've been meaning to recommend her work, but procrastination has been stalking me again. Anyway, I hope it's not too late to applaud Vicki's great contribution to the world of science books for the very young by noting her well deserved nomination for this year's AAAS-Subaru SB&F Awards for "lasting contribution to children's science literature" in the Hands-On Science Book Author category.

Somebody already mentioned her I FACE THE WIND, confusing it, if I recall rightly, with Dorros' FEEL THE WIND. Coincidentally, I recently wrote a little piece contrasting Dorros' more traditional format with Cobb's more contemporary approach to the same topic. Both books are from different early science learning series by the same publisher, HarperCollins.

Here's a snip from my piece, that highlights what I think makes a successful "simple science book":

"Arthur Dorros' FEEL THE WIND (1989), part of Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science book series (5-9 years, Stage 2), employs a traditional format and approach to science books for young children as he lays out a comprehensive explanation of what causes wind and how it affects us and our environment. He addresses the young reader and poses a couple of basic questions, but tends to answer those questions straightaway with sometimes quite detailed, complicated answers and diagrams. He tries to relate these concepts back to a child's experiences. His simple pen and wash style illustrations are appealingly childlike, and he includes instructions on the last page for making a weather vane. This is one of Dorros' books that have been named as an Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by NSTA.

In contrast, Vicki Cobb brings a fresh, contemporary feel to her books for a somewhat younger age (3-5 years) in her "Science Play" series. I FACE THE WIND (2003) takes the same relatively sophisticated concept of how wind is made of moving air molecules, and translates it into a lively, interactive explanation and set of experiments designed to be co-investigated with adults. She asks questions that the reader is encouraged to answer, by thinking, discussing, and "doing." Cobb's exuberant, hands-on approach to learning science is reflected in the playful font changes and upbeat digitally designed illustrations by Julia Gorton. Text becomes picture in a creative synergy of words and illustrations. On the first page, the print shares the protagonist's struggle against a strong headwind, as they battle in the opposite direction to where the reader's eye is normally pulled. On the final page, they both slant forwards to the right edge of the book, and celebrate the joy of feeling the wind in your face, and the pleasure of knowing why. This lively book was a 2004 Sibert Honor book for distinguished non- fiction, offering as it does, layers of sound science, creativity, and fun."

Do check out Vicki's website to learn more about why she is so eminently qualified to help young children, their teachers, and their parents get excited about science. Vicki is a former science teacher with over 80 nonfiction books to her credit. She devotes a lot of time to traveling the country with her one-woman show, Science Surprises, and contributes weekly science experiments online at her Show-Biz Science site. She says that she wants teachers who lack confidence in their own scientific knowledge to share her belief that science is fun to teach, that it is okay to NOT know, and to learn along with their students; and that to "think like a scientist students must be allowed to NOT know, to wonder, and create questions that can be answered by doing something."

Barbara Tobin (barbtobin at optonline.net)
Received on Fri 22 Jul 2005 03:23:35 PM CDT