Science 2 - Matter Books

"Cotton Now & Then: Fabric Making from Boll to Bolt" by Karen Willard offers an educational journey through the process of cotton production, from its origins as a fluffy cotton boll in the field to its final transformation into fabric. The book provides young readers with a detailed look at the steps involved in making cotton fabric, including growing, harvesting, ginning, spinning, and weaving, highlighting both historical methods and modern technologies. This engaging and informative book bridges the gap between agriculture and consumer goods, illustrating the importance of cotton in everyday life.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3laDfPi7mc

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/cottonnowthenfab0000will

"Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave" by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier, tells the remarkable story of Dave, an enslaved African American who created thousands of pots in the 1800s in South Carolina. Despite the oppressive circumstances of his life, Dave expressed his artistic genius and deep longing for freedom through pottery, inscribing his works with short poems and profound sayings. The book combines lyrical storytelling and vivid illustrations to honor Dave's legacy as both a skilled craftsman and a poet, showcasing his resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.

YouTube (Read Aloud): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXzsVUaNX5s

YouTube (Short Biography): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzV362LcaeU

Internet Archive Library (only available for people with print disabilities): https://archive.org/details/davepotterartist0000hill

"Extra Yarn" by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, tells the whimsical story of Annabelle, a young girl who finds a seemingly endless box of colorful yarn in her snowy, gray town. With it, she knits colorful sweaters for the townspeople, animals, and even inanimate objects, bringing warmth and color to her previously dreary community. The book explores themes of generosity, creativity, and the transformative power of kindness, all conveyed through Klassen's distinctive and subdued illustrations. Though the book does place an emphasis on the yarn, it is mentioned throughout that the yarn is made from both cotton and wool.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mznh9amuuCU

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/extrayarn0000barn

"From Sheep to Sweater" by Robin Nelson is an informative picture book that guides young readers through the fascinating process of how wool is transformed from sheep's fleece into cozy sweaters. Through clear, concise text and engaging photographs, the book covers each step of the journey, including shearing, cleaning, spinning, dyeing, and knitting. It's an educational exploration that highlights the connection between agriculture and fashion, designed to spark curiosity about how everyday items are made.

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/fromcottontotshi0000nels

"From Sheep to Sweater" by Robin Nelson is an informative picture book that guides young readers through the fascinating process of how wool is transformed from sheep's fleece into cozy sweaters. Through clear, concise text and engaging photographs, the book covers each step of the journey, including shearing, cleaning, spinning, dyeing, and knitting. It's an educational exploration that highlights the connection between agriculture and fashion, designed to spark curiosity about how everyday items are made.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocg-XluROI4

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/fromsheeptosweat0000robi

"Leather Shoe Charlie" by Kyung-Hwa Kim and illustrated by Dong-Seong Kim, is a historical picture book that delves into the life of a young boy named Charlie and his family's involvement in the traditional shoemaking business in Korea during the turn of the 20th century. The story highlights the craftsmanship and dedication involved in creating shoes from leather, a valuable material, and portrays the challenges and changes faced by artisans with the advent of modernization. Through Charlie's eyes, readers gain insight into a bygone era and the importance of preserving cultural heritage and skills.

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/leathershoecharl0000kimg

"The Adventures of an Aluminum Can: A Story About Recycling" by Alison Inches, illustrated by Mark Chambers, takes young readers on an enlightening journey from the perspective of an aluminum can, chronicling its life cycle from being mined as bauxite ore to becoming a can holding soda, and eventually being recycled into a new product. Through playful illustrations and a first-person narrative, the book educates children about the importance of recycling and the positive impact it has on the environment. This engaging story not only teaches about the recycling process but also encourages kids to think about how their actions can help reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZbMVFmvNyE

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/adventuresofalum00alis

"The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling" by Alison Inches, illustrated by Pete Whitehead, offers a unique glimpse into the life of a plastic bottle, told from its own perspective. This engaging children's book tracks the bottle's journey from its beginnings as crude oil, through its manufacturing process, to its use by humans, and finally to its recycling and transformation into a fleece jacket. Through this creative narrative, young readers learn about recycling and the lifecycle of plastic, highlighting the importance of responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhj5aRuyBgE

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/adventuresofplas0000inch

"The Clothes We Wear" by Ellen Lawrence is an engaging children's book that explores the fascinating world of clothing materials, including where they come from and how they are made. It provides young readers with an insightful look into various types of fabrics used in clothing, from natural fibers like cotton and wool to synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. Through clear, informative text and vivid photographs, the book encourages children to think about the clothes they wear every day and the journey these materials take to become part of their wardrobes.

Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/clotheswewear0000lawr