Newton and Curie

July 20, 2020
When a falling apple bonks Newton the squirrel on the noggin, he wonders “Why did that apple fall down and not up?” His curiosity sparked, one question leads to others: Why do swings go back and forth? Why can’t the squirrels get child-size playground equipment to work? Fortunately, a nearby science classroom has the answers. Peeking through the window, Newton learns about gravity, mass, weight, and force, then levers and fulcrums, explaining it all to his sister Curie by making a squirrel-size swing and seesaw. When a robin’s nest falls, the rodents use their new knowledge to save the day. The story frames plainspoken, relatable explanations of core physics concepts and the scientific method. Kirk’s detailed, digitally colored pencil drawings capture the soft texture of fur and the toothy smiles of gendered, wide-eyed squirrels dressed like human children. Includes an explanation of the squirrels’ names and a glossary. Ages 5–9.

July 15, 2020
Furry-tailed but not furry-headed, brother and sister Newton and Curie set out to conquer their world with science. A nearby school for humans provides all the impetus needed to discover what makes everything work. From comprehending the amazing combo of force, mass, and gravity required for playground swings to the secrets of seesaws and pulleys, the intrepid experimenters can't get enough. They test ideas using trial and error to refine their science projects. The children's teacher, a woman of color, introduces diagrams of simple machines to a diverse group of grade school children. The information is not lost on the spying squirrel siblings, who apply the principles to return a fallen nest of four (miraculously intact) robins' eggs to their relieved parents' tree. How do birds defy gravity when flying? Newton and Currie can't wait to find out! Kirk's simple STEAM-driven text seamlessly leads readers from one tenet of physics to another as it's applied to common objects. Kirk's use of the schoolroom whiteboard to educate the squirrels is a clever visual aid. The anthropomorphic characters' clothing reflects the casual dress of the students, and the bright palette is a perfect attention-getter for the story's targeted audience. Repeated images of simple machines cover the endpapers, and the backmatter includes an introduction to some basic laws of physics, a detailed glossary, and links to science websites. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.5-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) A positive and fun-filled challenge to recognize and apply the underlying principles of science in everyday life. (Picture book. 5-9)

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September 1, 2020
Grades K-3 Two inquisitive squirrels tumble into the world of science in Kirk's playful new offering. It opens with aptly named Newton (a fully clothed squirrel) resting under a tree in a school playground. He's bopped on the head by a falling apple, and he suddenly wonders why fruit always falls down and never up. With his curiosity piqued, Newton begins to question other playground items, too. How do swings work? Why does the teeter-totter move up and down? Serendipitously, Newton catches part of a physics lesson through the school's open window and decides to do some experimenting of his own, with the help of his sister Curie. The curious squirrels are sprightly guides, and the basic physics lessons are made easily digestible in the form of adorable squirrel-size swings and seesaws, all appealingly illustrated. Helpful back matter includes a glossary, a brief intro to the squirrels' human namesakes, and suggestions for learning more about scientific pursuits. Budding scientists will be delighted by the squirrel's-eye view of the physical world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)