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Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen

April 24, 2020 By Claire Annette Noland 3 Comments

Have you ever watched a child stoop down to examine something tiny? They can be held spellbound by a rock, an ant, or a seashell. Today’s book is one that takes fascination further and opens up a world of wonder.

SMALL MATTERS: The Hidden Power of the Unseen
By Heather Ferranti Kinser
Millbrook Press 2020
Picture book for ages 4-9
Setting: the natural world seen through a scanning electron microscope

 

The story begins…In a big world filled with many BIG
questions, we look for BIG answers.

But what if an answer is smaller than small?
Unseen?
Nearly invisible?

Could something that small
even matter at all?

Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen, features eleven kid-favorite animals and gives a unique detailed view of each.  Written with lyrical and poetic text, the author explains how small adaptations equip animals to do specialized things. Photographs taken with a scanning electron microscope give an amazing look into how much tiny details matter. We learn how the tiny jagged scales of a shark enables its speed, hooks and grooves in bird feathers help them to fly, and tiny bristle hairs on the toe pads of geckos enable them to cling to surfaces with incredible force. This is a powerful book that asks important questions, introduces fascinating scientific concepts, and encourages children to really look and see how things work.

Why Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen should be added to your bookshelf:

  • It is rare to find a science book that works well as a read-aloud. Originally written as a fifty-word poem, the language explains complex concepts in a clear and original way.
  • The layout of each spread is beautiful as well as instructive. A large photograph of each animal in action is balanced by the photograph taken through the scanning electron microscope.  It is amazing to see scientific facts written in such a child-centered way.
  • The typography is fun and engaging and visually enhances the importance of each small feature.
  • The back-matter explains how the scanning electron microscope works and gives a clear definition of nanoscale. Also included is more information about each animal’s “tiny super-power,” and a selected reading list for further exploration.
  • This book will spark a children’s curiosity, encourage them to really look at the natural world, and understand how tiny details make a big difference.

 

Author Heather Ferranti Kinser wrote a postcard to the readers of  Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen:

 

A great way to encourage budding scientist is to give them an magnifying glass. Although not as detailed as a scanning electron microscope, it will provide an entry onto scientific exploration.

 

 

 

To learn more, visit Heather Ferranti Kinser’s website

Filed Under: 2020 Debut Crew, Books, picture books Tagged With: Heather Ferranti Kinser, scanning electron microscope in children's books, Small Matters: The Hidden power of the Unseen

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Temean says

    April 26, 2020 at 6:29 am

    Angie,

    Just wanted to say, I like your vintage truck!

    Kathy

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 26, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      This is such a fun truck – I wish it was mine. It belongs to my very good friend at Bettencourt Farms.
      Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  2. Kathy Temean says

    April 26, 2020 at 6:31 am

    Not sure why Amalia Hoffman’s gavator showed up on my comment. Kathy

    Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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clairesfieldtriplife

I continue to read Amanda Gorman's Inauguration Da I continue to read Amanda Gorman's Inauguration Day poem "The Hill We Climb."
Every line is just so beautiful. I am inspired and hopeful.
@amandascgorman 
#thursdaythoughts 
#poetry 
#inaugurationday
I have started the @21daydiscoveryourwhy journal c I have started the @21daydiscoveryourwhy journal challenge through the generosity of Oahn Jordan of @tinytriumphco 
Today's journal prompt was Where were you a year ago?
Thanks to my phone camera, I could easily take a look. And there were the faces of Christina, Thomas and Evelyn on January 18, 2020 as I was leaving Nicaragua. Little did I know that there would be a pandemic and the flights were stopped. Somehow, things fell into place and I was able to return with Roxanne on January 18, 2021. We recreated the original photo (on the right). I'm so excited about what’s ahead! You can still sign up - look at the bio in @tinytriumphco or @21daydiscoveryourwhy
It has been amazing watching to process of MIMIC M It has been amazing watching to process of MIMIC MAKERS go from idea to picture book! I can’t wait to hold it in my hands. Posted @withregram • @knordynordy COVER REVEAL

After raising two boys and teaching for over twenty years in a public school, I’ve witnessed the natural wonder that children have about the living world. Their voracious curiosity to understand the mysteries of our planet  is in everything they do!  Does it float? Does it fly? Does bend or break?  Children are curiosity in motion! I’ve come to believe this wonder about the world is the first step on the pathway to living sustainably on our beautiful planet. How ? By being curious and learning from the living world. 

Well...innate curiosity is something I wanted to explore. So...
I asked each inventor in my book what sparked their curiosity about nature? Well...after years of research, lots of interviews, and loads of classroom projects, MIMIC MAKERS was born. This picture book is a look at ten inventors from around the world, who began asking questions and investigating nature to create amazing biomimicry inventions that help us all. I hope it inspires a new generation of mimic makers. 

My thanks to my incredible editor, Alyssa Mito Pusey and the entire staff at Charlesbridge. Huge thanks to Paul Boston for your superb illustrations. Many thanks to Gretchen Hooker and Sherry Ritter of the Biomimicry Institute. 

#biomimicryinstitute #biomimicry #biodesign #stemreads #readingfunin21 #nonfictionforkids #childrensbooks #childrensbookauthor #teachersofinstagram #librariansofinstagram
Teachers- do you know about World Read Aloud Day? Teachers- do you know about World Read Aloud Day? Cardinal Rule Press authors would love to do a free zoom visit with your classroom on February 3rd  Sign up in the link in my bio
Mr. Ernie loves to put his nose in a good book. He Mr. Ernie loves to put his nose in a good book. He's currently reading the fantastic LAYLA and the BOTS: HAPPY PAWS written by Vicky Fang and illustrated by Christine Nishiyama. 
Layla is a rockstar and inventor (how cool is that?) who has three bots who help her solve problems in their town using technology.
This is a perfect chapter book for budding makers who love STEAM and fun! Mr. Ernie loves the roller coaster they design for dogs!

To read more about Happy Paws and the second book in this new series,  LAYLA and the BOTS: BUILT FOR SPEED visit my blog, A Field Trip Life. (link in bio)

@fangmousbooks #stemforkids #kidlit #Cybilsawards #chapterbooks @mrernierecommends #dogsofinstagram
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