Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels

By Daniel Kirk

In this picture book, Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels, Daniel Kirk—the bestselling author/illustrator of the Library Mouse series—introduces the principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) to kids.

 


When an apple falls on his head, Newton the squirrel begins to wonder how the world works. Listening in on a lesson about the force of gravity, he decides to try his own experiments with the help of his sister, Curie.


 


Learning to make simple machines, they discover that science is for everyone—even squirrels. And when a birds' nest falls out of a nearby tree, only Newton and Curie, using their inventions and quick scientific thinking, can save the day! This always inquisitive and resourceful pair solves real-life problems and has fun along the way.


 

"A positive and fun-filled challenge to recognize and apply the underlying principles of science in everyday life." —Kirkus Review

 


The Newton and Curie series:

Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels
Newton and Curie Take Flight!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781683355809

Daniel Kirk

Daniel Kirk has written and illustrated forty popular and bestselling books for children, including Library Mouse, which Booklist heralded in a starred review as "fun, fun, fun." He lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. www.danielkirk.com.

Book preview

[blbooks-14314 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

First sentence: Newton was sitting under a tree when an apple bounced off his head.

Premise/plot: Newton, a squirrel, becomes fascinated with how the world works [aka science] after an apple falls on his head. Curie, his sister, is perhaps less fascinated but she is super playful. [She likes the end results.] These two squirrels observe the humans, in particular he observes the nearby SCHOOL (and playground). He takes advantage of proximity and learns (not without some failures). This one focuses on simple machines.

My thoughts: I was looking for an "N" title for my Alphabet Soup Challenge. This science-themed picture book stars two adorable squirrels. It definitely packs a few science lessons into the main story narrative. There's even a glossary at the back of the book. It was cute to see science-in-action since it was squirrel-sized science. (Newton figures out how to make a squirrel-sized seesaw and a squirrel-sized swing.)