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Friday, September 20, 2024

Small Science Expeditions


The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions 
by Giselle Clarkson 
120 pages; ages 8-13
Gecko Press (Lerner), 2024

“An observologist is someone who makes scientific expeditions every day, albeit very small ones.” With that introduction you know this will be the perfect book to inspire a backyard study of small things: earthworms, caterpillars, fungi, slug eggs…. 

There are only two things you need to know if you’re going to be an observologist:
  1. You’ll spend a lot of time looking at the ground (which is closer to you if you’re between the ages of 8-13 than if you’re an adult).
  2. You need to be curious. Because being an observologist is like being a detective… looking for clues that lead to something cool and interesting.
After introducing the whats, hows, and whys of Observology the remainder of the book presents four potential expedition sites – and the sorts of things one might study/observe/examine while there. These are places accessible to any kid: a damp corner (perfect site for discovering more about centipedes and fungi); pavement (great habitat for ants and worms); weedy patches (insects galore!); and around the house.


What I like love about this book: I love the introductory section where Giselle Clarkson lays out such things as “principles of observology,” the reasons for scientific names, and the importance of drawing what you discover. I love the table of contents that exudes the feeling of being a field guide to adventure. Each section – er, expedition site – includes one to three spreads filled with details about the organisms one might discover. There’s even a spread devoted to “aural observology” for those who want to recognize insects by the sounds they make. 

“Not all buzzes are alike,” Giselle writes, “and you have to have very clever ears.”

For those using this book as a text, there is a final exam and a certificate at the back – plus a great index for quick reference to the organisms. Best of all, this book is suitable for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, grandparents, and scientifically minded extraterrestrials desiring to learn more about this planet. 

Thanks for dropping by today. On Monday we'll be hanging out at Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with other  bloggers. It's over at Greg Pattridge's blog, Always in the Middle, so hop over to see what other people are reading. Review copy provided by the publisher.


10 comments:

  1. "Not all buzzes are alike." Just brilliant!

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  2. I am challenging myself to add MG NF to my reading list after years of favoring mysteries and historical fiction. Thanks for this recommendation of a new NF! Beth

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    1. This would be the perfect nonfiction book to start off with.

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  3. This sounds like a cool book with the hands-on experiments kids can easily do. Thanks for sharing it this week.

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  4. Such a motivating title to encourage young readers to be observers. The layout and supporting features are a real plus. Thanks for featuring the book on this week's MMGM.

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  5. What a great concept! Every kid (and adult) should be an observiologist!!

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  6. What a terrific book. I know two boys who love everything about bugs. Am going to put it on my list to check out -- great for gift-giving! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. This one looks great. I'll bet a lot of teachers and parents will be happy to put this in their kids hands. Thanks for the post.

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  8. Great review, Sue - the book sounds fascinating (though I have to say not for me as I am very squeamish when it comes to any kind of bug!) . A great resource for the classroom!

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