I Worked Hard on That

After seeing a beautiful web, Kiara is inspired to make her own web. It was not as easy as it seemed and her first webs were not works of art. Finally she created a masterpiece when a squirrel ran through her web, destroying her work. Each web Kiara created were ruined by others not paying attention. Kiara meets another spider, Orb, and they work together to create something beautiful until Orb gets hungry and eats the web. Frustrated Kiara runs away destroying Paws, the squirrel’s, sculpture. Kiara helps Paws and learns that creating is just as important, if not more than the finished product.

The digitally created illustrations feature expressive characters, intricate webs, and designs to demonstrate varying textures.

This book would be great for discussing frustration when creating something and for how to respond when you accidentally ruin someone’s creation.

Careers in STEM: Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers use math and physics to design airplanes and spacecraft.

This book is a Blastoff Reader from the Careers in STEM series. There are 2-3 sentences per page and uses many text features such as bold words, table of contents, photographs and captions. The glossary is needed as there are many words that will be new to readers, such as internships and physics. This book explains what an aerospace engineer is, does, and how to become an aerospace engineer. The books in this series introduce readers to careers they may not be familiar with.

Careers in STEM: Mechanical Engineer

This book is a Blastoff Reader from the Careers in STEM series.This series for beginning readers focuses on jobs in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. There are 2-3 sentences per page and uses many text features such as bold words, table of contents, glossary, photographs and captions. Information about a famous mechanical engineer is included.This book explains what a mechanical engineer is, does, and how to become a mechanical engineer. The books in this series introduce readers to careers they may not be familiar with.

Careers in STEM: Marine Biologist by Lisa Owings

Marine biologists study the plants and animals in the ocean. They learn about how humans impact the oceans.

This book is a Blastoff Reader from the Careers in STEM series. There are 2-3 sentences per page and uses many text features such as bold words, table of contents, glossary, photographs and captions. They also include brief information about a famous marine biologist.This book explains what a marine biologist is, does, and how to become a marine biologist. The books in this series introduce readers to careers they may not be familiar with.

Careers in STEM: Microbiologist by Lisa Owings

Microbiologists study microbes and use what they learn in a variety of ways. Some microbiologists use what they learn to make new medicine or help Earth.

This book is a Blastoff Reader from the Careers in STEM series. There are 2-3 sentences per page and uses many text features such as bold words, table of contents, photographs and captions. The glossary is needed as there are many words that will be new to students, such as microbes. This book explains what a microbiologist is, does, and how to become a microbiologist. The books in this series introduce readers to careers they may not be familiar with.

Too Cute! Baby Skunks by Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby skunks are called kits and they live in a den. This nonfiction series is adorable. While the information is very simple, it is great for beginning readers. The print is large and there are 1-2 simple sentences on the page. Key words are in bold and photographs with a label is included on the page to illustrate what the word means.The back includes the stages of life of a skunk, a picture glossary, an index and a website for more information.

Too Cute! Baby Turtles by Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby turtles hatch from eggs. When they leave the nest, they do not go back. This nonfiction series is adorable. While the information is very simple, it is great for beginning readers. The print is large and there are 1-2 simple sentences on the page. Key words are in bold and photographs with a label is included on the page to illustrate what the word means.The back includes the stages of life of a turtle, a picture glossary, an index and a website for more information.

Too Cute! Baby Seals by Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby seals live in colonies. As they get older, they spend more time alone. This nonfiction series is adorable. While the information is very simple, it is great for beginning readers. The print is large and there are 1-2 simple sentences on the page. Key words are in bold and photographs with a label is included on the page to illustrate what the word means.The back includes the stages of life of a seal, a picture glossary, an index and a website for more information.

Too Cute! Baby Lions by Elizabeth Neuenfeldt

Baby lions join the mom’s pride and play with other cubs. This nonfiction series is adorable. While the information is very simple, it is great for beginning readers. The print is large and there are 1-2 simple sentences on the page. Key words are in bold and photographs with a label is included on the page to illustrate what the word means.The back includes facts about the animal, a picture glossary, an index and a website for more information.

Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Marquez

The illustration on the cover makes you want to pick up the book and the story inside did not disappoint. Meli is enjoying playing in the beautiful waters of Playita del Condado when she spots some tidal pools and encounters a talking hermit crab named Jaiba. Jaiba takes Meli on adventures to explore the ocean. She learns about different animals in the ocean and the effects of ocean pollution. Jaiba eventually takes her to the future to see herself as the Mother of Sharks.

The pictures are bright and evoke the feeling of being underwater. The text is in English with Spanish words incorporated throughout. The print is small for a picture book. The end of the book includes a letter from the author, glossary, translations, and resources. The end pages include illustrations of different sharks.

The author is a Hispanic marine biologist and was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30: Science list.