Friday, September 2, 2016

Monster Science: Could Monsters Survive (and Thrive) in the Read World? By Helaine Becker -ADVISABLE


Becker, Helaine Monster Science: Could Monsters Survive (and Thrive) in the Read World? 96 pgs Kids Can Press, 2016. $18.99
This book presents information and lore about six different legendary creatures: Frankenstein, vampires, bigfoot, zombies, werewolves, and sea monsters. It provide background information, fun facts, and then dives right into a ton of science surrounding almost every aspect of that creature. For example in the Vampire chapter readers learn a great deal of information about how blood works, real life animal vampires, different real genetic conditions and diseases that can cause similar traits to vampires, and the evolution of teeth. Cartoon like illustrations are on every page, including maps and science drawings.
This book would be essential except the drawings are kind of horrid and I really wanted to see some actual photographs (as would students). But the text is TOP NOTCH. This is such a fun and interesting read. Its that white unicorn book I am always looking to add to the school library: lots of great learning hidden under a chocolaty coating of uber appealing topics! I learned quite a few things from this book and even stopped to look up things on the internet (which I wouldn’t of had to do –had there been photographs!!). Just awesome! Probably best for 3rd grade and higher due to some scary content (like murder) and more involved science topics. 

EL – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

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