Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras, 1) - Softcover

Citro, Asia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1943147094 ISBN 13: 9781943147090

Publisher: The Innovation Press, 2017

Synopsis

A New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2017 Selection
A Mighty Girl Book of the Year
Illinois Monarch Award Nominee 2018-2019
Florida SSYRA Book Award Nominee 2018-2019
Washington OTTER Award Nominee 2018-2019

With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the brand new 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 first book of this series, Zoey discovers a glowing photo and learns an amazing secret. Injured magical animals come to their backyard barn for help! When a sick baby dragon appears, it’s up to Zoey and Sassafras to figure out what’s wrong. Will they be able to help little Marshmallow before it’s too late?

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.

About this title

About the Author:

Asia Citro, M. Ed, is a former classroom science teacher with a Master's in Science Education. She is the author of 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, The Curious Kid's Science Book, A Little Bit of Dirt, and the Zoey and Sassafras chapter book series. She is also the creator of the popular blog Fun at Home with Kids. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, The Chicago Tribune, Today, Disney Baby, MSN, King 5 TV, and Highlights, among others.

Review:

"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)

"...Citro gracefully balances her story’s scientific and fantasy elements."

(Publishers Weekly)

"...the imaginative premise and the incorporation of STEM elements make this an attractive and engaging choice."

(Booklist)

"...tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are nice to see."

(Kirkus Reviews)

"...a delightful beginning reader. I will definitely recommend this to kids and I look forward to the other books in this series."

(Mel Barnes, University Bookstore)

"Zoey and Sassafras are our heroes! My kids love unravelling their mysterious circumstance, and they even made their own "thinking goggles." Zoey is an awesome role model."

(Megan Lingo, Reading Teacher and Educational Therapist at Chickadee Lit)

"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 Library)

About this edition

• Publisher: The Innovation Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1943147094
• ISBN 13: 9781943147090
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Lindsay Marion