Two new titles from Kids Can Press

A few months ago, I posted on Facebook looking for recommendations for books, games, toys, anything, to encourage science, technology, engineering, and math skills, especially for little girls. When I was offered review copies of two new titles from Kids Can Press that seemed to promote just those skills, I jumped at the chance to read them with Anne. And we loved them so much that we're passing them along to you guys today.

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell: Minnow, the littlest and most unremarkable of King Neptune's daughters, thinks she has no special talent until she discovers an unidentifiable object floating near her watery home and sets out to find out what it is. As Minnow questions and observes and tries out different theories, young readers learn a little bit about the scientific method. I'm not sure which A. and I liked better about this one: the idea that being brave and curious is something to cultivate or the gorgeous, evocative drawings of life in the mermaid kingdom under the sea. Either way, my mermaid-loving little girl wants this one over and over again and I am only too happy to oblige.



The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires: A little-girl inventor and her dog assistant set out to make the MOST MAGNIFICENT THING ... only to find out that what they come up with isn't quite magnificent at all. Instead of giving up, the girl and dog tweak their design until they come up with one that's perfect. The best thing about this book were the vocabulary words scattered throughout -- words like ratio, and antennae, and saws, and wrenches -- words you don't usually come across in a book about a female protagonist in pigtails and a dress. I also appreciated the message that it's OK to get frustrated and angry sometimes, and the one about how not everybody will be able to understand or appreciate your work, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have faith in your vision. All very good lessons for young ones to learn.

The Mermaid and the Shoe and The Most Magnificent Thing will be released on April 1, 2014. Click the titles above to order a copy.

Have you come across any great kids' books lately?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which may result in a small commission for me. I received review copies of these books from the publisher. The opinions in this post are my own.