By Carol Hinz, Editorial Director of Millbrook Press
I want to talk a little about what makes an excellent science book for children. I could probably say even more on the subject, but I’d like to at least put some ideas out there.
A key point of reference is Melissa Stewart’s December 2015 blog post about Diversity in Thinking. In it, Melissa looks at data from some key awards and delves into what kinds of nonfiction books are more likely to win awards. In short, books that focus on life stories (biography, autobiography, and memoir) and history win far more awards than do books that focus on science.
Why Focus on Science Books?
I would like to propose that one reason is that excellence in a science book might look a bit different than excellence in other types of books. Today I thought I’d share a list of key elements* I look for when I’m acquiring and editing books on science topics.
Structure
Again, I’m compelled to mention Melissa Stewart–she has written a lot on her blog (and elsewhere) about the variety of nonfiction text types. I enjoy working on books with different kinds of structures, and I always want to see a structure that works well with the topic of the book. A look at how a scientist made a new discovery, such as in the book Sea Otter Heroes, may be best served by a chronological narrative so that readers can follow along as the story unfolds. Meanwhile, a science book that explores what types of teeth mammals have, such as in the book Tooth by Tooth, could be most engaging when presented with a Q&A format.
CLARITY
Scientific ideas can be complex. Young readers (and even adult readers) need to clearly understand the scientific concepts related to the topic at hand. When a concept–whether introducing what atoms are or explaining how an ecosystem works–is explained well, a reader may hardly notice it. The reader simply takes in the information and continues. But this is anything but simple; it takes tremendous skill to present a complex topic clearly! Science writing may be a bit pared down when compared to the writing in novels, which may involve more description. But I would argue that this style perfectly serves the subject matter and is in no way inherently “lesser” writing.
SIGNIFICANCE
As I read nonfiction submissions, I often ask myself “why does this matter?” Readers (or writers) well versed in science may know why a topic is significant or how it relates to other concepts or discoveries to help us build a body of knowledge about how the world works, but I also want to be sure readers who aren’t well versed in science know why a topic matters. I remember talking with Sandra Markle while she was working on the science book The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats about why the deaths of bats from white-nose syndrome is significant and what it would mean for our world if there were fewer bats.
SCIENTIFIC THINKING
What should a reader get out of a book on a scientific topic? Of course I want the reader to come away with an understanding of the topic. But I also hope the reader will absorb a sense of how science works or how scientists think. In the book The Search for Olinguito, readers learn facts about what an olinguito is and where it lives, but they can also get a sense of the importance of publishing one’s findings. (There’s a fascinating moment when the scientist working on establishing that the olinguito is a distinct species submits a paper for publication . . . and it’s rejected.)
SOURCES
All information is not equal. Are the author’s sources newspaper and magazine articles or do they also include scientific papers and interviews with relevant scientists? In working on Rebecca L. Johnson’s When Lunch Fights Back, I was delighted that Rebecca was able to connect with scientists studying each animal profiled in the book and give readers a sense of what scientists are currently trying to learn about the animals–as well as what they already know.
I’d welcome comments, feedback, and questions. How do you approach science books? What do you look for? What do you think makes a book excellent?
*I would call this list the 5 S’s were it not for the fact that one of them starts with C. Whoops!
Melissa Stewart
What a terrific post. I especially love this “When a concept . . . is explained well, a reader may hardly notice it. The reader simply takes in the information and continues. But this is anything but simple”
Developing the scaffolding to build an understanding of a complex scientific concept can be tricky when readers have limited background knowledge and vocabulary skills, but it's a challenge I relish.
Carol Hinz
Thanks so much for your response, Melissa! This topic has been on my mind for quite some time, but it was only recently that I started thinking about how the writing itself might be different (and should be different) from novels and even other types of nonfiction.
It's amazing how you and other skilled nonfiction authors can make a topic a child may know nothing about so clear and accessible!
laurasalas
Excellent post, Carol! Even though your topic itself isn't scientific, I love how you've structured your piece and explained the criteria using many of the same techniques/qualities you're looking for:>) And Melissa's insights into nonfiction and science, in particular, are always helpful and spot on.
Miranda Paul
Excellent article, Carol! I will share a link to it at a presentation this summer. You always provide such thoughtful and useful information for nonfiction writers. Thank you.
Carol Hinz
Aw, thank you, Laura! Striving for clarity in my own writing gives me all the more respect for authors who take on that challenge in book after book. π
Carol Hinz
Thank you, Miranda! Putting all the pieces together to create a good nonfiction book is such a fun puzzle!
Lu Ross
Thank you for this wonderful article! I do appreciate the advice.
Jess Keating
Chiming in to say YES! This is such an excellent post, and I'm so happy to see thinking like this in terms of how we approach reading and evaluating these important books!
Carrie Pearson
I'm sharing your informative post with SCBWI MI members writing in this genre as well. (And how cool is it that the comment-ers are part of the “who's who” in science books for children? π
Carol Hinz
Thanks so much for commenting, Carrie. I love that you'll be sharing this with your fellow SCBWI members!
Rosi
Excellent post with exceptional examples. Thanks.
Aimee M. Bissonette
Excellent pointers – and I love your explanation and examples for each. Thank you!
Shutta
Carol, enjoyed this clearly explained guide to writing non-fiction for kids. Also, I just read The Search for Olinguito and loved how the scientist ended up visiting so many museums around the world. It really made me wonder about how many other interesting things we have already collected and that are just gathering dust in archives around the world. Thanks!
Linda Zajac
Thanks for sharing! I read this post twice and the second time, it sparked an idea on how to restructure a manuscript an entirely different way.
Carol Hinz
Linda, that's so great to hear! I love how a manuscript can be transformed by a change in structure.
Carol Hinz
Thank you, Shutta! Yes, it was fascinating to learn that so much of the evidence for the discovery had been languishing in museum archives all along.