by Marion Lindsay (Illustrator), Marion Lindsay (Illustrator), Asia Citro (Author), Asia Citro (Author)
With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages. In the fifth book, an old friend visits Zoey at the barn with a mysterious glowing. . . seed pod? Zoey, Sassafras, and Pip must work together to discover what this mysterious rare magical plant needs to grow before all the seeds crumble to purple dust! Each story in the Zoey and Sassafras series features a new magical animal with a problem that must be solved using science. There isn't a set formula for each book; Zoey sometimes needs to run experiments, while other times she needs to investigate a mystery, and yet other times she needs to do research. Zoey models how to keep a science journal through her handwritten entries in each story. Each story is complete with a glossary of the kid-friendly definitions for scientific terms used. The series highlights child-led inquiry science and the topics covered align with both Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.
Format: Illustrated
Pages: 96
Edition: Illustrated
Publisher: The Innovation Press
Published: 20 Mar 2018
ISBN 10: 1943147388
ISBN 13: 9781943147380
Citro takes the girl helping animals trope of beginning chapters to a whole new level. Filled with scientific language and experiments, including a helpful glossary, Zoey is encouraged to make mistakes, fail, and get up and keep trying. There's no lack of child appeal either; both boys and girls will delight in the magical creatures and brisk storytelling and will be eager to try some of their own scientific experimentation, even if they can't find a dragon!
--Jennifer Wharton, Jean Little LibraryPraise for DRAGONS AND MARSHMALLOWS (Zoey and Sassafras, Book 1):
Concepts are explained concisely and clearly, and a short glossary provides valuable vocabulary building. The slightly larger font makes the text inviting for emerging readers, and the illustrations blend perfectly into the story. Sassafras and the dragon prove to be able sidekicks in the vein of Disney characters...while this book is a natural fit for STEM collections, it deserves a place in all libraries serving young readers.
--School Library Journal