Scientific and Engineering Practices 

"Ada Twist, Scientist," written by Andrea Beaty and beautifully illustrated by David Roberts, is a captivating picture book that celebrates the wonder of inquiry and the remarkable power of curiosity. The narrative revolves around a spirited young girl named Ada Twist, who, until the age of three, remains silent, her thoughts swirling in the depths of her mind. However, once she begins to speak, her voice erupts with an avalanche of questions that light up the world around her. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Ada bombards her surroundings with inquiries like, "Why?", "What?", "How?", and "When?" Her profound curiosity propels her on a thrilling adventure of exploration, as she eagerly observes her environment, formulates hypotheses, and embarks on experiments. Ada's journey is not just about asking questions; it embodies the essence of scientific inquiry, showcasing how perseverance and curiosity drive discovery. The story unfolds in a delightful, rhythmic prose that dances off the page, complemented by lively and dynamic illustrations that vividly bring Ada’s world to life. Through Ada’s experiences, readers are introduced to the fundamental principles of engineering methodology, encouraging them to embrace their own curiosity and think critically about the world around them. This enchanting tale invites children to see science not merely as a subject of study, but as an exhilarating adventure full of possibilities.

"The Most Magnificent Thing," written by Ashley Spires, is a heartwarming story about a young girl who plans to build an incredible invention with the help of her dog. Although she has a clear vision of how she wants her invention to look and function, things do not go as planned. Her initial ideas do not produce the outcomes she expected, and after several failed attempts, she is almost ready to give up. However, after taking some time to gather herself, she gets back on track, investigating and experimenting until she finally creates something magnificent. 

For kindergarteners, this story serves as a fun and creative introduction to the concepts of planning and conducting an investigation. It highlights the importance of perseverance and flexibility, which are two essential qualities for scientists.

"Sort It Out!" by Barbara Mariconda follows Packy the Pack Rat on an entertaining journey as he collects a wide variety of objects and brings them home. As he begins to organize and sort his collection, Packy explores different criteria such as size, shape, color, and more. The book features playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations that fill each page, making it visually engaging for young readers. This delightful story introduces kindergarteners to the essential concepts of data interpretation and analysis by encouraging them to sort objects based on their physical characteristics. Through Packy’s adventures, children learn to recognize similarities and differences, fostering critical thinking skills that are vital for interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data.

"On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein" by Jennifer Berne is a captivating biography that chronicles the life of Albert Einstein. Berne presents accurate events and facts about Einstein's life in a gentle, story-like manner. The book begins with Einstein's early years, highlighting how he was different from other children and filled with wonder. As the narrative unfolds and Einstein grows up, his small curiosities evolve into profound, complex questions about the universe that had never been posed before. 

The story follows his imaginative journey as he envisions riding on a beam of light, delves into the concepts of time and space, and challenges preconceived explanations of the world. This book celebrates the power of questioning established ideas through playful language and simple yet beautiful illustrations. Furthermore, this biography serves as a creative tool to introduce children to the process of constructing and critiquing conclusions and the vital importance of scientific curiosity for kindergardeners. 

"If I Built a Car" by Chris Van Dusen is an exciting and creative fictional story about a boy named Jack who plans to build his very own futuristic car. The author explains Jack's journey as he constantly analyzes, tweaks, and refines his design. Jack's model includes many imaginative features, such as a built-in swimming pool, a snack bar, robot drivers, and the ability to fly. The book is written in an accessible way for kindergarteners, using simple vocabulary and playful rhymes, along with clear illustrations of Jack's journey. This book not only introduces kindergarteners to the foundations of modeling, including planning and imagining new ideas, but it also serves as an amazing window into how engineers use their imagination to solve problems and create new inventions.