Search this site

ASTC has curated these award-winning, NSTA Recommends books for its members to promote science and math while improving reading and literacy skills for upper elementary and middle schoolers. Check out these resources for your programming and after-school activities. Our literature-based STEM books are perfect tools for museum educators! One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Science! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Preview the book Purchase with ASTC discount here! Leonardo da Vinci Gets a Do-Over Read a sample chapter Download the Free Teacher's Guide Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Bilingual Math Mysteries Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Please reload 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Math Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! 101 Things Everyone Should Know about Science Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! If My Mom Were a Platypus Download the Activity Guide Download our Guide to Hands-On Activities Purchase with ASTC discount here! Ghost in the Water Read a sample chapter Download the Free Teacher's Guide Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Bilingual Science Mysteries Preview the book Purchase the book with ASTC discount here! Please reload Museum educators around the country use our titles to engage, excite, and educate: Literature-based books teach science and math while promoting reading, Fiction and nonfiction titles featuring a diverse group of young heroes, Real-life scenarios make science and math relevant to kids, Potentially intimidating topics become intriguing and accessible to scientists of all ages, Supports problem-based and project-based learning, Extensive Teacher's Guides and Hands-On Activities available for free download, Cross-curricular content provides ample learning opportunities. Our books make great resources for museum educators and our short brainteasers make great content for museum publications. For permissions to reprint, information on bulk discounts, and more information, contact Ali . Learn How Facilitators Use Our Books Extensive Educator Resources and Hands-On Activities Shop at the ASTC Bookstore

Science, Naturally es una prensa independiente comprometida con el aumento de la alfabetización en ciencias y matemáticas en la educación infantil. ¡Echa un vistazo a nuestra última edición de la popular serie Misterio del mes! misterio del mes Misterio del mes le mandará un correo electrónico mensual que lo desafía con uno de los misterios de los libros de nuestra serie Misterios de un minuto . Estos libros premiados presentan rompecabezas de matemáticas y ciencias basados en la literatura en una página. Cada historia toma solo un minuto para leer y desafía el conocimiento de un niño en una variedad de disciplinas de ciencias y matemáticas. Se pueden usar los acertijos como lectura independiente para niños, un juego de adivinanzas para familias, un trampolín para proyectos escolares, una actividad al fin de clase para maestros o una herramienta de evaluación para el conocimiento y la alfabetización en matemáticas y ciencias. Los educadores abrazan los misterios porque ayudan a los niños a extraer los datos importantes necesarios para resolver problemas de ciencia, matemáticas y lógica al tiempo que fortalecen y recompensan las habilidades de lectura. Los padres los abrazan porque mantienen a sus hijos entusiasmados con el aprendizaje. ¡Los niños los abrazan porque son divertidos! Sign up here to get the Mystery of the Month delivered straight to your inbox: Se puede ver a los tres Misterios del mes más recientes haciendo clic en los botones a continuación: Mayo Junio Julio

Can you solve this month's mystery? —Feliz cumpleaños a ti —cantaban las amigas de Samara en la cafetería mientras ella se ponía colorada de la vergüenza.  Esa mañana Samara había traído magdalenas de su casa, y ahora le estaba dando las que quedaban a las niñas con quien almorzaba todos los días, Natalia y Viol Abril Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios cortos que resuelves con ciencias! Vete a caminar Los estudiantes estaban felices con el clima el día de la excursión. Había llovido todo el día y la noche anterior, pero esta mañana solo estaba fresco y nublado mientras los niños caminaban hacia el Centro de Visitantes. La clase estaba estudiando distintos ecosistemas, y había tomado un autobús a un parque con un prado, un estanque y bosques. Estaban divididos en tres grupos para buscar muestras y tomar fotos. Tenían radio-teléfonos para mantenerse en contacto, porque los teléfonos celulares no funcionaban allí. Un grupo tomó un sendero largo y empinado para llegar al Estanque del Sapo con el Sr. Wysor. El grupo de Marcel y Tucker cruzó hacia la pradera con la Sra. Smith, mientras que el tercer grupo se encargó de estudiar el bosque en una ladera con la Sra. Hammerick. Después de más o menos una hora, el grupo de la Sra. Smith había terminado. Regresó al Centro de Visitantes, pero ninguno de los otros grupos había regresado. La Sra. Smith le pidió a Marcel que verificara cómo estaban los demás. —Terminamos en el prado y podemos irnos en cualquier momento. ¿Cómo están ustedes? Cambio —dijo por el radio-teléfono. —Tenemos nuestras muestras y estamos tomando las últimas fotos. Caminaremos de regreso en un par de minutos. Cambio- —respondió una voz. —Estamos tomando muestras, pero hay tanta neblina aquí que las fotos no saldrán. Dennos otros 20 minutos. Tal vez la niebla se levante. Cambio —respondió otra voz. —No reconocí esas voces. ¿Cuál grupo necesita más tiempo? —le preguntó Tucker a Marcel. REVELAR RESPUESTA

Can you solve this real-world science mystery? Reese estaba ayudando a su padre a limpiar las hijas y ramas que se habían caído durante el invierno. Era hora de preparar el patio y el jardín para la primavera. Luego irían a la jardinería, pero primero tenían que verificar qué cosas necesitarían... Marzo Seleccionado de: One Minute Mysteries: More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! • Misterios de un minuto: ¡Más misterios cortos que resuelves con ciencias! ¡Cara verde, chicos! La familia de Pranav y Maneet había decidido comprar una casa en una urbanización nueva. Habían varios modelos de casas para elegir y habían escogido uno con las características que deseaban. Habían dos casas de ese modelo terminadas y a la venta. Las partes traseras colindaban; una casa miraba hacia el norte, y la otra hacia el sur—cada una con un gran jardín abierto al frente. Habían árboles grandes entre las dos casas, llegando casi hasta la parte trasera de cada una. —Es difícil escoger. Estas dos casas son exactamente iguales —dijo su madre, parada en la terraza trasera de la casa que daba al norte. —Además, el precio es el mismo, aunque sea como sea tendremos que ser más conservadores con el dinero después de comprar una casa nueva —dijo su padre. Pranav sentía el calor del sol, incluso a través de las ramas desnudas de los árboles. La primavera se acercaba. Donde ellos vivían, el invierno era corto y leve, y solo usaban la calefacción de vez en cuando. Los veranos eran largos y muy calurosos—usaban el aire acondicionado casi todo el día. —Deberíamos comprar ésta —dijo Pranav, después de pensar un momento. —¿Cómo decidiste? ¿Lanzaste una moneda virtual al aire? —preguntó Maneet. REVELAR RESPUESTA

Experience 'Talking Science': A Children's Book Uncovering the Universal Language of Science and How Common Measurements Unify the World. A cozy hug is one meter wide, a good night’s sleep is 41,400 seconds long, and an African elephant weighs almost 5,500 kilograms. No matter where you are in the world, scientists use these same units of measurement to communicate with one another. Talking Science brings science vocabulary to life for even the youngest children. Written by award-winning children’s book author Mary Wissinger, with inviting and fun illustrations by Lilia Miceli, this innovative children’s book uses kid-friendly examples to show readers how big ideas can be shared—and how science connects us all. The International System of Units is a group of seven measurements—seconds, meters, kilograms, amperes, kelvins, moles, and candelas—that allow scientists anywhere in the world to understand each other. With this system, people from different places, who speak different languages, can describe and solve the same problems. In the past, scientists measured things in all kinds of different ways. But it's difficult to share science across the globe when one person uses their arm and another person uses their foot to measure the same thing! Now, using the universal language of science, we can work together to make discoveries. . ORDER PRESS RELEASE Book details Hardback (ISBN 978-1-958629-41-3 ) $16.95 eBook (ISBN 978-1958629-42-0) $13.99 Age range 2 - 7 years Grade range Pre-K - 2nd Grade Praise for Talking Science "...Will help young learners clearly visualize each base unit from the International System of measurement. Excellent addition to any school library’s 500 Dewey section." —Goodreads reviewer Melanie Dulaney MEET THE AUTHOR Mary Wissinger was born in Wisconsin where she spent most of her childhood singing, reading, and daydreaming. She dove into storytelling through acting, singing, and writing (and writing and writing). While spending time as a classroom teacher sharing the magic of music, she saw firsthand the incredible life-changing power of stories. Mary lives in St. Louis, MO where she writes stories that inspire curiosity about the world and connection with others. She is also the author of the Science Wide Open series and the My First Science Textbook series. She can be reached at Mary.Wissinger@ScienceNaturally.com . MEET THE Illustrator Lilia Miceli grew up in Turin, Italy, where she loved to use her drawings to tell stories. She studied 2D animation at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematrografia of Turin and is now a professional illustrator. Drawing is her primary form of communication and she likes to use her creativity to make the world a better place by dealing with important topics and creating something beautiful that raises the soul of those who see it. She also enjoys sharing food and drinks with friends, cuddling every cute animal she meets, and pretending to be a mermaid.

Can you solve this month's real-world math mystery? “Hannah!... Would you please come out here already? Your sister, father, and I have been waiting for you for almost 10 minutes!”... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... November Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Home on the Range Guillermo and Fiorella’s family was enjoying their last hike of the fall before the weather turned too cold to go hiking. Halfway up a mountain on a trail they had never taken before, their father said, “This would be a great spot to have a house.” They looked around the edge of the sunny meadow, down to a stream, feeling a fresh breeze coming down the mountain. “You’re right, Dad,” Guillermo said. “I would love to live here, too,” said Fiorella. “It’s so pretty and I’m sure there are deer and all kinds of other animals here. It would be great to watch wildlife right from our front porch.” “I don’t know about living in a place like this,” their mother said. “There’s no electricity and you kids couldn’t live for more than a day without your gizmos. You could never get the power company to run an electrical line this far out into the woods.” “Well, if we were allowed to build a house here, we could make our own electricity,” Fiorella said. “But making electricity requires energy. Where would we get it?” their father asked. REVEAL ANSWER

Platypus Media and Science Naturally Open Their Warehouse to America’s Schools, Literacy Organizations, and Nonprofits $2.50 Paperback | $3.00 Hardback | Domestic Shipping Included | 500 Book Minimum Access to books — and specifically book ownership — is one of the most reliable predictors of a child's literacy development, academic performance, and lifelong relationship with reading. Giving Back Through the Power of Books is Platypus Media and Science Naturally's commitment to that truth: a deliberate, values-driven decision to move an extraordinary collection of quality titles from a warehouse shelf into the classrooms, clinics, and community centers where they belong. By offering both paperback and hardback editions at accessible price points, the initiative gives organizations the flexibility to maximize their budgets while bringing durable, beautifully produced books to the children and families they serve. Platypus Media and Science Naturally award-winning titles have received honors from American Institute of Physics, the Mathematical Science Honors, and International Latino Book Awards. Their titles have been reviewed by School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, recognized by major book competitions, and featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — books trusted by educators, librarians, and families across the country. Our Mission *Note: Prices for this initiative: $2.50 Paperback | $3.00 Hardback | Domestic Shipping Included | 500 Book Minimum. This will be reflected in the order form. Prices in our shop reflect retail pricing to the public. Your price for this initiative will be $2.50 per paperback and $3.00 per hardback. How to Order To preview our catalog, visit our Platypus Media and Science, Naturally! online shops for available title options. Make your selections: title, ISBN, format, language, quantity, unit price. Minimum total order: 500 books. Each title must be purchased in full carton quantities. Please reference the list on our Order Form . E-mail your Order Form to ali@platypusmedia.com We will confirm inventory and send a final invoice. DOWNLOAD YOUR ORDER FORM Our Movement Has Been Featured in Access Newswire Publisher's Weekly Associated Press Ali Trujillo COO, Platypus Media, LLC Questions about title selection? We’re happy to help maximize your literacy budget. Ali@PlatypusMedia.com One time initiative while supplies last.

Can you solve this month's real-life math mystery? "Come on class, to the candy aisle!" Miss Hanson called out. The class groaned at the thought of being in the candy aisle, knowing that they couldn't have any for themselves. They were on a field trip to a grocery store to buy supplies for a project... ¿Hablas español? Haga clic aquí para resolver... October Selected from: One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Halloween Hippie “Hey, I have an old picture of my grandma looking just like that, only it wasn’t a costume to her,” Kassandra said as Ingrid walked into the homeroom. “She said they actually thought they looked cool.” Their school normally had a dress code, but it was Halloween and everyone had come in wearing costumes. Ingrid was dressed like a hippie. She had a tie-dyed shirt, beads, sandals, and sunglasses with orange lenses shaped like hearts. Ingrid took off the sunglasses for class, but put them back on in the afternoon when it was time to get ready for the Halloween party. The class was decorating the classroom and painting signs for the school parade. Quan, who thought he was funny, was hanging decorations upside down. Preston was pretending to sword fight in his pirate costume with a paint brush, and Ricky was playing with fake blood after putting some on his zombie costume. When it was almost time for the parade, Kassandra noticed that one of the signs had been decorated with a red, rather than orange, pumpkin. “Okay, who’s the joker here?” Kassandra asked. She looked around the room for a guilty face. REVEAL ANSWER

With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden — but she doesn’t do it alone. COMING APRIL 6, 2027! How does an imaginative girl turn an empty lot into a flourishing garden? With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden — but she doesn’t do it alone. Little does Mara know, flying insects, digging worms, hungry birds, noisy neighbors, and other secret gardeners are working to help transform the lot into something even more beautiful than she imagined. Rain storms wash away seeds, but rabbits leave some behind. Some helpers nibble up weeds, and others fertilize the soil. Each time Mara visits the garden, she’s expecting to see her sunflowers growing. But as the flowers blossom, she uncovers the exciting secrets waiting for her! Mara Plants a Seed inspires young readers to develop a deeper connection to the environment around them and study the many ways natural processes and ordinary animals help plants grow and thrive. Children will watch as Mara’s simple action of restoring an empty lot transforms a community and the beautiful way the garden bursts to life. . Book Details Paperback (ISBN 978-1-958629-96-3) $16.95 Age range 2 - 7 years Grade range Pre-K - 2nd Grade Trim Size 10" x 10" Page Count 40 pages PREORDER NOW Praise for Mara Plants a Seed "While the book’s empty-lot-to-garden conceit is well-trod ground, the emphasis on ecological interdependence offers readers an enduring takeaway." - Publishers Weekly "A sweet and endearing story of hope and all of the delicate and special pieces required to sustain it." - Tyler Thrasher, Botanist, Artist, and Author of “The Universe in 100 Colors.” “Such a wonderful book that shows children that just one small act can make a beautiful difference. 'Mara Plants a Seed' is a perfect story to share with young readers that is packed with valuable lessons." - Melissa Inferrera, 1st Grade Teacher and Plant Mom, @musicmindandsoul “This precious tale of a girl’s journey into the garden inspires us to take a look around and imagine the possibilities. People, insects, bugs and even beings one can not see all come together in harmony. Powered by hope, tenacity and the help of community, we see how magical a single seed can be!” - Tamara Elmore, Tam in the Garden @taminthegarden "A once barren and neglected lot is transformed into a gorgeous, natural garden full of life, though Mara keeps an eye out for those sunflowers she's planted. She's not at all disappointed and neither was I! We're treated to a delightful, vertical two-page spread that I couldn't help but smile wide for when I turned to it. Bailey does a fantastic job of conveying how utterly wonderful it is to behold a wild garden, and Napoli and Furrow do an equally excellent job of explaining the process of seed to flower (including a blurb in the back encouraging readers to plant their own seeds)." - Goodreads Reviewer , Charessa "The principles of seed growth are entwined into this simple story leading to further discussions in the classroom about plant needs, ecosystems as well as ways to turn the unattractive and unused into something beautiful and well-loved." - Primary Teacher, Melanie Dulaney "Mara Plants A Seed is a lovely, heartfelt, relatable, lesson-filled, and creative story! This book is absolutely charming! Mara is a precious character. With her little act of kindness a trashed vacant lot begins to flourish. Her patience, love, and kindness helps nature become activated. The reader sees all the intentional, natural, and accidental actions which help the lot turn into a garden. The resiliency of nature and the joy nature brings to everyone is on full display. I adore this book!" - Goodreads Reviewer, Bailey Young (Check out the full review here ) Meet the Authors Robert Furrow is a gardener, a wildlife educator, and a birder. He is also a professor of teaching at the University of California, Davis, where he lives with his wife and daughters and dog. He teaches many shades of introductory biology, including wildlife natural history and how to garden for wildlife habitat. This is his sixth book co-authored with his mother Donna Jo Napoli. Donna Jo Napoli has published books for preschoolers through high schoolers. She is a gardener, a dancer, and a dual citizen of Italy and America. She is also a linguist who works on sign languages, advocates for the language rights of deaf children, and co-directs the website RISE, which offers bimodal-bilingual video books for free. She lives with her husband outside Philadelphia . Meet the Illustrator Melissa Bailey , the daughter of an avid gardener and granddaughter of a farmer, sadly passed away in March 2025 at the age of 47. An award-winning illustrator, she was the artist of more than 50 children’s books and the author-illustrator of two picture books. Melissa lived in rural Michigan. She was loved by many people for her warm and generous spirit.

Science Naturally's Event Sales Program allows you to fundraise while offering quality STEM materials to your customers, families, or event participants. Order ahead, send back anything left after the event, and pay 50% off retail for the books you sold. EVENT SALES PROGRAM Our Event Sales Program allows you to fundraise while offering quality STEM materials to your customers, families, or event participants. Perfect for book fairs, conferences, and more! Here's how it works: Select the books you'd like by browsing our store Order any of our books at a 50% discount Return the books that you don't sell Receive your bill after your event Only pay for the books you sold To learn more or to place an order, contact Martha at Martha@ScienceNaturally.com or 1-866-724-8976 "These are some of the most engaging nonfiction books I have ever read!" -Sonya Smith Science Field Coordinator, ATOMS2XP and IMPACT2, Mississippi State, MS "We love the Science Naturally Event Sales Program. It allows us to offer great products to our students with no money upfront." -Doug Tackett PTA Dad Amarillo, TX Download our Book Sale flyer for more information

Books Shipping within the United States and U.S. Territories, including PO and APO boxes, is free. Puzzles Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to ship puzzles to PO boxes. For purchases of 1 puzzle, shipping within the continental U.S. is $3.00. For purchases of 1 puzzle, shipping to U.S. territories or states outside the continental U.S. is $6.00. For purchases of $35 or more, shipping is free. ShipPing Abroad We are happy to ship merchandise anywhere in the world. Our website is not equipped to calculate shipping outside of the United States and U.S. Territories. For more information or to place an international order, please contact us: Submit Thanks for submitting! Shipping Policy

Science, Naturally is an independent press committed to increasing bilingual science and math literacy in early childhood education. About Science, Naturally! Science Naturally: Enhancing Literacy in Science and Math Science Naturally, an imprint of Platypus Media, operates as an independent press situated in Washington, D.C. Our mission revolves around fostering a deeper understanding of science and math by demystifying these subjects in entertaining and enlightening ways. Utilizing both fictional and nonfictional forms, diverse characters, and engaging formats, we strive to make intimidating topics intriguing and accessible to scientists, mathematicians, and book enthusiasts of all ages. Diverse Reach and Accessibility Initiatives: To ensure broad accessibility, we've translated our books into over six languages, developed bilingual, eBook, and braille editions, and partnered with literacy programs offering discounted books to under-served students. Refer to our list of partners below. Empowering Educators: Our Professional Development seminars and complimentary educational resources empower educators, enabling them to bridge the gap between the blackboard and the blacktop. Our books have earned recognition as valuable supplemental resources, receiving awards and accolades from literacy, education, and parenting groups. Each book holds the esteemed "Recommends" designation from the National Science Teachers Association. Alignment with Educational Standards: Our content aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and supports the Common Core State Standards. Visit our website for detailed articulations and additional standards. Distribution and Inquiry: Science Naturally books are distributed by the National Book Network. For more information, publication catalogs, or details on becoming one of our esteemed authors, reach out to us via phone or visit our online platform. Discover, Read, and Stay Curious: You might encounter our books in schools, neighborhood book boxes, or literacy programs. Wherever you find them, we hope they inspire you to read, tackle challenging problems, and nurture your curiosity. Meet the Team Dia L. Michels Owner / Publisher Ali Trujillo Chief Operating Officer Meet the Full Team Partners Our Partners We are proud to partner with many organizations that bring important educational books and resources to as many students as possible. Our partners include: Platyus Media Want to know more about our parent company? Check out Platypus Media!