Search this site

Science, Naturally! publishes award-winning, bilingual STEM books for kids. Trusted by educators, librarians, and homeschoolers. Free teacher’s guides available. PREORDER NOW Our Award-Winning Bestseller Coming Soon in Spanish Best Sellers Mara Plants a Seed Price $18.95 The P Word: A Manual for Mammals Price $18.95 NEW RELEASE This Is the Ocean Price $16.95 NEW RELEASE C Is for Crime Scene: A Forensics A to Z Book Price $18.95 How Do You See the World? Price $18.95 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! Price $12.95 The Super Volcano: A Hidden Hero Below Yellowstone National Park Price $21.95 "These books encourage a lifetime of curiosity about the world around us!" Julie Edmonds , PhD, Carnegie Academy for Science Education Check Out Our Blog 1 2 3 4 5

Discover homeschool stem curriculum gifts that make science and math fun at home. Shop engaging books and activities for curious kids today. Gifts for Homeschoolers Do you homeschool your children or know someone who does? We offer blended fiction, science and math mysteries, and "101 Things" books that make learning FUN and make the perfect gift this holiday season! Ghost in the Water John Hawkins is in yet another new school as he begins the 7th grade. His life would be just fine except for the fact that Dowser, the school bully, has it out for him. Things change when his passion for robotics lands him an invitation to be a part of a secret club. John joins Malena, Natsumi, Hector, and Kimmey as the newest member of the League of Scientists. Together, these friends pool their knowledge of biology, technology, logic, and chemistry to unravel the mysteries that haunt their quiet town of East Rapids. The League is in a race to solve the secret of the ghost who is terrorizing the middle school pool. Click Here to View Leonardo da Vinci Gets A Do-Over After being dead for nearly 500 years, the great Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci is back! Readers tag along as 7th graders Max, Tad, and Gina become the reincarnated da Vinci's ambassadors of the modern age—and learn about history, art, anatomy, and STEM topics along the way. Inventive and fast-paced, this story is as engaging as it is educational. Treat yourself to a fantastic adventure with this first book in the new Innovators in Action series. Click Here to View 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science Not your ordinary science book, these mysteries make science fun! Try your hand at dozens of science mysteries (with solutions included) that will keep you entertained--and eager to learn more! No tools or special equipment required, all you need is a willingness to have fun. This entertaining and educational book is great for kids, grown-ups, educators and anyone who loves good mysteries, good science, or both! Click Here to View 65 MORE Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! The mysteries are back! One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! continues the fun. These mysteries have a clever twist—you have to be a super sleuth, tapping into your science wisdom and critical thinking skills to solve them. Each story takes just one minute to read and challenges your knowledge in a variety of science disciplines. Click Here to View 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! These aren't your average math problems… Each minute-long story introduces an engaging mystery that can only be solved with math. The brainteasers are entertaining, but-even better-their real-world connections help kids see math concepts as approachable, learnable, and solvable. The brainteasers help support literacy, problem-solving, and deductive-reasoning skills, while exploring essential math topics. A fun way to develop deductive reasoning skills and discover the joys of math! Click Here to View 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math Math is a critical part of our everyday lives. The second title in the award-winning 101 Things Everyone Should Know series helps you understand how you use math dozens of times—every day.With entertaining connections to sports, hobbies, science, food, and travel, mathematical concepts are simplified and explained using clear, real-life explanations. You’ll even learn some fun trivia and math history! Using an engaging question-and-answer format, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math is perfect for kids, parents, educators, and anyone interested in the difference between an Olympic event score of 9.0 and Richter scale score of 9.0. Click Here to View 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science Science affects everything -- yet so many of us wish we understood it better. Using an accessible question-and-answer approach, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science expands every reader’s knowledge. Key concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, earth and general science are explored and demystified by an award-winning science writer and a seasoned educational trainer. Endorsed by science organizations and educators, this book is perfect for kids, grown-ups, and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of how science impacts everyday life. Click Here to View

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.

Written by Eileen M. Halpin Designed by Eileen M. Halpin Edited by Stevie Nault Literacy is more than reading a book at bedtime; it’s the lens through which children make sense of the world. STEM literacy bridges the gap between language and discovery. When young readers dive into books about biology, mathematics, chemistry, and ecology, they aren’t just decoding words on a page. They are practicing critical thinking, building technical vocabulary, and learning to ask one of the most powerful questions in human history: Why? At Science, Naturally!, our mission is to make science and math engaging, accessible, and fun for readers of all ages. To help you celebrate National Literacy Month, here are four reading pathways to build curious and confident readers. Early Childhood Literacy Early exposure to scientific vocabulary (like mammal, habitat, and adaptation) builds strong language foundations fosters empathy for living creatures. Literacy development begins long before a child enters a formal classroom. For toddlers and early elementary readers, nonfiction picture books tap into a child’s natural fascination with the physical world and the animal kingdom. The first title of The Beginnings Collection, If My Mom Were a Platypus, takes young readers on a global journey through the birth and growth of 14 different mammals. By comparing how human babies and animal infants survive, eat, and grow, children learn key biological concepts alongside essential reading comprehension skills. Nurture curiosity from the beginning with titles like Babies Nurse, Cuddled and Carried, A Family for Zoya, My Community Loves Me, and This is How I Grow. Bilingual Literacy Dual-language nonfiction strengthens language development and allows bilingual families and dual-immersion classrooms to explore environmental science together. Reading in more than one language supports cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and cultural understanding. Dual-language nonfiction strengthens language development and allows bilingual families and dual-immersion classrooms to explore environmental science together. Our Bilingual reversible titles take a unique approach to dual-language reading: one side presents the complete story in English, and when flipped over, the book tells the story in Spanish. This Is the Sun / Este es el sol introduces young readers to fundamental energy cycles and the vital role sunlight plays in sustaining life on Earth through clear, accessible parallel narratives. By pairing bicultural literacy with foundational earth science, these reversible books empower young learners to communicate fluently about the natural world in two languages. Expand your dual-language library with additional reversible titles like This Is the Ocean / Este es el océano and Tiny Tern Takes Flight / El charrancito toma vuelo. Historical Literacy Narrative non-fiction teaches chronological sequencing, cause-and-effect structure, and historical context while showing kids that anyone can be a scientist. Biographies and narrative non-fiction are essential tools for developing reading stamina in growing readers. The Science Wide Open series pairs vivid storytelling with rigorous scientific history. These books introduce children to groundbreaking female scientists throughout history—many of whom overcame immense societal barriers to change the world. By framing scientific milestones through human stories, we inspire the next generation of thinkers. In Women in Medicine, readers explore the inspiring lives of female trailblazers who transformed healthcare, cured diseases, and saved millions of lives throughout history. By framing medical breakthroughs through human stories, young readers connect emotionally with historical achievements and see themselves as capable of changing the world. Continue exploring history and discovery with companion titles like Women in Biology, Women in Chemistry, Women in Physics, Women in Engineering, Women in Botany, and the Women in STEM Coloring Books. Critical Thinking Literacy Solving literary puzzles directly strengthens inference skills, critical analysis, and close-reading strategies—key components of advanced reading comprehension skills. For upper elementary and middle-school readers (especially reluctant readers) long blocks of text can feel intimidating. The One Minute Mysteries series offers an engaging alternative by turning reading into an interactive game. In One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math, each quick puzzle challenges readers to use clues hidden within a 150-word story to solve a real-world problem. Students must pay close attention to detail, evaluate evidence, and apply deductive logic to crack the case. Keep brainteasers going with 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! and 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!. Bring STEM Literacy to Your Home or Classroom Literacy isn't just about learning how to read; it’s about using reading as a tool to explore the world. This National Literacy Month, step beyond traditional fiction and give your young readers books that spark lifelong curiosity. Ready to start exploring?

Written by Kit Jones-Painter Designed by Kit Jones-Painter Edited by Eileen M. Halpin, Faith Lustig, and Chloe Sutton It’s that time again! The school year is kicking into gear. It’s time to load fresh notebooks into backpacks, clean-out lunch boxes, and set those early morning alarms. It can be a stressful time for the whole family as that first day of school looms ever-closer on the horizon. But it doesn’t have to be! Ease the transition between summer fun and school focus by reading books that excite your kids about learning. Luckily, those are the kinds of books we specialize in at Science, Naturally! Encourage a passion for learning with any of these back-to-school reads for your youngster. Keep reading to see three highlights from our catalog, all of which have received awards and stellar reviews from Reader Views. Women in Botany This title is part of the Science Wide Open series by Mary Wissinger covering trailblazing women throughout history that have made an impact in the STEM field. It is a fantastic and impactful collection of six books featuring women from across the globe who contributed to various fields of science. It’s a great blend of accessible science education, history, and female empowerment for a diverse audience. Women in Botany traces how a single seed can flourish into a world of difference. Likewise, the minds of young readers will flourish with a passion for plants. The beauty of the message is that it is straightforward, accessible, and inspiring—“the ecosystem has many moving parts that have to work efficiently and effectively to benefit those who depend on it.” And we are one part of that ecosystem! After reading, your kids will be prepped to participate in the ecosystem like a botanist following the path paved by a long history of women. Not only is this book educational, but it inspires young girls everywhere to chase their STEM dreams. As Reader Views put it, “the impact that this book will have on girls who read it can’t be underestimated. Anyone, however, can marvel at how they used their intelligence, skills, and talents to change botany forever.” How Do You See the World? Chances are, you’ve met someone who needs glasses to see. Maybe that person is you! A good chunk of the world’s population has some sort of vision impairment—roughly 2.2 billion people globally, according to 2026 WHO statistics. How Do You See the World gives readers the chance to view the world through fresh eyes, as author Noureddine Melikechi teaches readers about the various conditions that impair vision, with visual representations illustrated by Michelle Simpson. Big words like astigmatism and myopia are made approachable through kid-friendly definitions and colorful illustrations. By the end, readers will be optometrists in the making. Due to its educational content, Reader Views reports that they can “easily see this book being used in school curriculum or even a doctor’s office to help children better understand their own eye health.” But it’s no sterile textbook. “Michelle Simpson’s illustrations help make this learning journey evocative at every twist and turn, providing clear and easy visuals for how someone with eye issues such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness, etc., might see the world.” This is explored through a blurry left-side page and a corrected right-side page viewed through a pair of glasses, normalizing glasses as a corrective aid. Between the educational content and the artwork, How Do You See the World is “an excellent book and strikes a great balance of attention-grabbing and educational.” This makes it the perfect book to kick off a semester of curiosity and learning. Tiny Tern Takes Flight Going back to school can be scary, but Tiny Tern Takes Flight transforms the prospect of a daunting task into a terrific adventure. By witnessing a young tern who makes the journey to the arctic for the very first time, little ones will be inspired to return to a new class through a surprisingly relatable story. Author Donna B. McKinley follows this resilient bird on an extraordinary tale, which flies from pole to pole and back again every year seeking warmth and food, making it the longest migration of any animal. Tiny Tern’s tale is rich with emotion and courage. “The journey is arduous, filled with moments of tension and resilience, but it’s also a story of triumph—showing the power of perseverance and the incredible strength found in even the smallest creatures.” Fiona Osbaldstone’s illustrations add “exquisite detail and a sense of wonder” that pulls readers in and helps them “feel the wind under Tiny Tern’s wings and the determination pushing it forward.” And of course, it has wonderful educational value as well. McKinely sprinkles “fascinating facts into the story… These nuggets of science are blended seamlessly, offering a gentle introduction to STEM concepts like biology and migration.” Reader Views says it best: “Tiny Tern’s incredible feat of endurance is inspiring, and highlights the resilience, determination and the beauty in our natural world. If you’re looking for a story that combines adventure, heart, and science, ‘Tiny Tern Takes Flight’ is a must-read.” Readers of all ages can close the book with the confidence that they, too, can overcome the trials of a new season. If Tiny Tern can fly across the world, then kids can ace the next grade, no sweat! From the soil, to the skies, to our own human eyes, natural wonders abound! Nothing inspires the spirit of discovery like a good book, and these are three excellent ones to gear up for the new school year. Whether your kiddo is fascinated by plants, animals, or anatomy, these books will encourage curiosity, expand knowledge, and empower readers to explore the vast world we live in. And if none of those topics catch your eye, never fear. There’s a wide variety of STEM topics, many more of which can be found in the rest of our Science, Naturally! catalog. We have something for everyone. By the time you turn the last page, your child will be ready to tackle the new school year like the budding scientist they are.

Written by Chloe Sutton Designed by Faith Lustig Edited by Kit Jones-Painter July 29th is International Tiger Day! There’s no better way to celebrate than with the story of Zoya. Zoya is an Amur tiger—the same tiger subspecies that International Tiger Day was started for. She is also the star of our book A Family For Zoya (and our hero). This book shows modern conservation in practice through the true story of how Zoya’s life was saved by the Philadelphia Zoo and Oklahoma City Zoo teams. Zoya’s impact doesn’t end with her rescue as a cub. Zoya has had two litters of her own, helping her species’ endangered status. Go Zoya!!! It helps that she and her cubs are adorable. Speaking of adorable, let’s talk about Zoya’s youngest fans at the Oklahoma City Zoo... Photo Credit: OKC Zoo One Little Earth has awarded a grant to the Oklahoma Zoological Society, a non-profit organization that supports the Oklahoma City (OKC) Zoo. With this grant, the Oklahoma Zoological Society has already begun distributing A Family for Zoya and planning events to benefit the community with the book. Currently, they have introduced Zoya’s story into three programs! The story of one little tiger (who isn’t so little anymore) is teaching the importance of conservation to children and creating an early interest in wildlife. Read about the three programs below with quotes from Oklahoma Zoological Society! Photo Credit: OKC Zoo Nature Explorers Preschool Program “We recently received A Family for Zoya for my 4-year-old, and it has quickly become a favorite in our home. The story shares a meaningful message about love, belonging, and family. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging and we’re so grateful to have this special book as part of our collection!" —Kate, parent of Nature Explorers Preschool Program “OKC Zoo’s Nature Explorers Preschool is a program designed to focus on developing the whole child in their cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative development through the Zoo’s natural setting. Using the generous grant from One Little Earth, this year’s graduating preschoolers each received a copy of A Family for Zoya, a great connection of the lessons learned about empathy and conservation in their early school days at the Zoo.” Oklahoma City Zoo Summer Camp “The OKC Zoo hosts summer camps annually for ages ranging from kindergarten to upper middle school. Each week of curriculum is themed in a fun way connecting and engaging students with studies of animals and conservation actions. A Family for Zoya is perfect for this year’s themed week of “Tiny Tails and Little Paws,” showcasing the Zoo’s animal babies like Luca, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub. Reading about Zoya and watching Lola with her latest cub couldn’t be a better pairing to illustrate Zoya’s incredible story.” Animal Awareness Days, Cat Day “It was extra special to have Debra Kim Wolfe participate in the OKC Zoo’s International Cat Day celebration and host a virtual story time featuring her book, “A Family For Zoya”. The OKC Zoo is incredibly proud to be part of this story about the Zoo’s Sumatran tiger Lola becoming a surrogate mother to Amur tiger cub, Zoya, and successfully raising her with her own cubs. Today, Zoya is thriving and has welcomed her own cubs. Debra’s inspiring book is an incredible testament to the power of collaboration among AZA accredited members and their experts, and a “purr”fect fit for International Cat Day!” —OKC Zoo “Each year, the OKC Zoo celebrates a series of Animal Awareness Days from May to October featuring various animal groups from across the Zoo. On July 4, 2026, the Zoo will focus on several feline favorites during its International Cat Day celebration. The Zoo’s big and small cat species will be showcased including Sumatran tiger mom, Lola, and her youngster, Luca. This is the perfect opportunity to share with guests the amazing story of Lola’s adopted Amur tiger cub, Zoya, by giving away several copies of A Family for Zoya as part of International Cat Day.” Photo Credit: OKC Zoo Through these programs, families will benefit from this book and from the generosity of One Little Earth and the Oklahoma Zoological Society. We are so glad that our title, A Family for Zoya, not only highlights an inspiring story, but also highlights the people whose involvement made it possible. We can’t wait to see what else the Oklahoma Zoological Society will do and where Zoya’s story will reach next. We have our fingers crossed that this is only the beginning of her impact on the tiger conservation effort! Despite a tough start, Zoya has made huge strides forward. She was rightly named Zoya, meaning “life” in Russian, and what a life she has given to the future of the world’s tigers! Zoya embodies the spirit of this international celebration and empowers future generations of conservationists. Photo Credit: OKC Zoo Read A Family for Zoya for yourself: