Up to your ears in kids? Want something to keep your kids independently engaged for a bit, OR something to do with them? Wanda has selected these non-fiction books to share with you.
These are great for all ages—even adults, I swear. I've snapped pics of the insides too, to give a clue what makes these books special. In particular, I will forever rave about the Science Comics series. They are jam-packed with scientific information; they assume that kids can handle going pretty deep, and present it in a clear, engaging way. "Dogs" for instance goes deep on genetics and inherited traits for several entertainingly intense pages. My personal favorite is "Trees." Wanda pulls the Science Comics books (and their close cousin, Human Body Theater) from the shelves again and again.
PLEASE don't order them from Amazon. They're going to be just fine. Let them focus on delivering other stuff. Get your books from your local bookstore, like Alibi Bookshop, owned by my dear friends Karen Finlay and Jon Burchard. Alibi is able to ship books to you if you shop from this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop — just search for each book title on that site. Keep a sweet little independent shop in business, keep your kids engaged, everyone wins!
I was turned on to the Science Comics series by my friend James Sime of the excellent Isotope Comics in San Francisco. It's where I bought a good chunk of these books, and many of our favorite fiction books, too. I've been getting books for Wanda from James, guided strongly by his mind-blowingly-solid suggestions, since she was just months old. He doesn't steer me wrong. I love bringing new people to his shop, they leave with the biggest smiles and arms loaded with new treasures. It's one of my favorite things about San Francisco. Isotope isn't able to fill orders right now, but I'm already daydreaming about our first visit back there when things get going again. Please consider buying a gift certificate from Isotope, there's no comic shop like it.
Topical! Order it from Alibi Bookshop at this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics plagues".Topical! Order Science Comics Plagues from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics plagues".This one is SO GOOD. It's a fantastic introduction to genetics and inheritance (but you'll learn plenty of other dog stuff, too). Order Science Comics Dogs from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics dogs".This one is SO GOOD. It's a fantastic introduction to genetics and inheritance (but you'll learn plenty of other dog stuff, too). Order Science Comics Dogs from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics dogs".I'm a big Maris Wicks fan, she also did Human Body Theater. Order Science Comics Coral Reefs from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics coral reefs".I'm a big Maris Wicks fan, she also did Human Body Theater. Order Science Comics Coral Reefs from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics coral reefs".I was worried this one would be a bummer, and it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of polar bear life these days, but it was not a bummer, it's great fun. Order Science Comics Polar Bears from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics polar bears".I was worried this one would be a bummer, and it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of polar bear life these days, but it was not a bummer, it's great fun. Order Science Comics Polar Bears from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics polar bears".Brains are fascinating, and this is a particularly empowering read if your kid's brain happens to be wired a bit differently. Order Science Comics The Brain from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics the brain".Brains are fascinating, and this is a particularly empowering read if your kid's brain happens to be wired a bit differently. Order Science Comics The Brain from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics the brain".I LOVE THIS ONE!!! I learned some mind-blowing stuff. Andy Hirsch is my favorite of the Science Comics artists/authors. He's a double whammy of great style and thoughtful info presentation. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Order Science Comics Trees from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics trees".I LOVE THIS ONE!!! I learned some mind-blowing stuff. Andy Hirsch is my favorite of the Science Comics artists/authors. He's a double whammy of great style and thoughtful info presentation. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Order Science Comics Trees from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics trees".Cats' whole deal is *not* being understood, but this book will get you a bit closer to figuring them out. Order Science Comics Cats from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics cats".Cats' whole deal is *not* being understood, but this book will get you a bit closer to figuring them out. Order Science Comics Cats from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "science comics cats".Easily in my top five kids books. A system-by-system tour of the human body, and how and why they do their things. Thanks to this book, five-year-old Wanda was explaining to the doctor's office why she wanted her flu shot to build up her antibody library. Worth it just for that! Order Human Body Theater from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "human body theater".Easily in my top five kids books. A system-by-system tour of all the nooks and crannies of the human body, and how and why they do their things. Thanks to this book, five-year-old Wanda was explaining to the doctor's office why she wanted her flu shot to build up her antibody library. Worth it just for that! Order Human Body Theater from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "human body theater".I wish every kid could read this book. Great for girls, even better for boys! Serious building-a-better-world stuff. Order Consent (for Kids!) from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "consent for kids".I wish every kid could read this book. Great for girls, even better for boys! Serious building-a-better-world stuff. Order Consent (for Kids!) from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "consent for kids".Goofy fun, we haven't done many of these, which the cats are probably okay with. Order Cat Science Unleashed from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "cat science unleashed".Goofy fun, we haven't done many of these, which the cats are probably okay with. Order Cat Science Unleashed from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "cat science unleashed".Thanks to the library shutdown, we've got this one for extra long, which I'm a-okay with. We've only done a couple of these, looking forward to more. Order Smithsonian Maker Lab from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "smithsonian maker lab".Thanks to the library shutdown, we've got this one for extra long, which I'm a-okay with. We've only done a couple of these, looking forward to more. Order Smithsonian Maker Lab from my dear friends at Alibi Bookshop via this link: https://bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop -- search for "smithsonian maker lab".
