A selection of recent science trade books in Spanish

A selection of recent science trade books in Spanish

S
imple, lively, and easy-to-understand science
books in Spanish for the very young are the
new reality in the publishing world. In contrast
to previous years where there has been a wider
selection of books for beginning, middle, and advanced
readers, today publishers in the United States (with a few
exceptions) seem to be concentrating on books for young
readers. Nonetheless, there are still some excellent books
for older readers—among them the attractively designed
series about prey animals and nature and engaging books
about health and nutrition that are highlighted here.
Whether published in the United States or abroad, I
hope that Spanish-speaking scientists-to-be will find
these books informative and engaging.
For the Very Young
A selection of recent
science trade books
in Spanish
By Isabel Schon
Trevor el ingenioso (Clever Trevor). Sarah Albee
and Paige Billin-Frye. ISBN: 978-1-57565-263-4.
Enterrado en el jardín (Buried in the Backyard).
Gail Hermana and Jerry Smath. ISBN: 978-1-57565262-7.
El perro verde (Green Dog). Melinda Luke and Jane
Manning. ISBN: 978-1-57565-264-1.
Osos en mente (Bears on the Brain). Lucille Recht
Penner. ISBN: 978-1-57565-261-0.
Translated by Alma B. Ramirez. New York: Kane Press.
2008. 32 pp. each. $5.95 each. (Grades 1–2).
These engaging Spanish renditions feature a contemporary protagonist who “piensa como un científico
(thinks like a scientist)” as he/she observes closely, asks
questions, measures carefully, and makes predictions.
Cartoonlike color illustrations, common situations, and
an easy-to-read text encourage young Spanish speakers
to use simple scientific skills to solve
real-life problems. Trevor el ingenioso explores levers as Trevor figures
out how to use an uneven seesaw to
teach Buzz and his buddies a lesson
and thus reclaim the playground.
The importance of measurement is
highlighted in Enterrado en el jardín
as Ryan and Katie discover what they
think is a dinosaur bone. While pet-sitting, Teddy uses
science (deduction) to solve a mystery in El perro verde.
By comparing tracks in Oscar’s backyard to pictures in
a library book, Oscar and his friends find out who has
been eating his mother’s red flowers in Osos en mente.
Each title includes a final page with simple suggestions
for adults to talk about the science with the young.
Grandes y pequeños (Big and Small). ISBN: 978-14296-2389-6.
———. Ruidosos y callados (Loud and Quiet).
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2391-9.
March 2009 47
———. Suaves y ásperos (Smooth and Rough).
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2392-6.
———. Veloces y lentos (Fast and Slow). ISBN: 9781-4296-2390-2.
Lisa Bullard. Translated by Martín Luis Guzmán Ferrer.
Mankato, MN: Capstone. 2009. 32 pp. each. $23.93
each. (Grades K–2).
The concept of opposites is simply explained through
clear, color photos and short simple sentences in English
and Spanish. Readers will appreciate the bilingual glossaries and inviting presentation in each title. The world’s largest and smallest animals represent
big and small in Grandes y pequeños;
the world’s loudest and quietest animals highlight Ruidosos y callados;
various rough and smooth animals
represent those topics in Suaves y
ásperos; and the world’s fastest and
slowest animals represent fast and
slow in Veloces y lentos.
El día y la noche (Day and Night). Margaret Hall. ISBN:
978-1-4296-2370-4.
———. Las estaciones del año (Seasons of the Year).
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2373-5.
———. Hibernar (Hibernation). ISBN: 978-1-42962371-1.
Las fases de la luna (Phases of the Moon). Gillia M.
Olson. ISBN: 978-1-4296-2372-8.
Translated by Martín Luis Guzmán Ferrer. Mankato, MN:
Capstone. 2009. 24 pp each. $21.27 each. (Grades K–1).
Beginning Spanish and English readers are introduced to the patterns in nature through short, simple
sentences, clear diagrams, exquisite, full-page color
photos, and easy-to-understand glossaries. How day
and night occur and why
they are one of nature’s
patterns are explained in
El día y la noche; why seasons change is introduced
in Las estaciones del año;
the process of hibernation
and how some animals
prepare for it is described in Hibernar; why Moon
phases occur and what they are called is illustrated
in Las fases de la luna.
Los animales crecen y cambian (Animals Grow and
Change). ISBN: 978-0-7787-8682-5.
———. ¿Esto es un ser vivo? (Is It a Living Thing?).
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8680-1.
———. Familias de animales (Animal Families).
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8676-4.
48 Science and Children
———. Hogares de los seres vivos (Homes of Living
Things). ISBN: 978-0-7787-8681-8.
———. Las plantas son seres vivos (Plants Are Living Things). ISBN: 978-0-7787-8677-1.
———. Seres vivos en mi jardín (Living Things in
My Backyard). ISBN: 978-0-7787-8683-2.
———. Los seres vivos necesitan agua (Living
Things Need Water). ISBN: 978-0-7787-8678-8.
———. Yo soy un ser vivo (I Am a Living Thing).
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8679-5.
Bobbie Kalman. Translated by translations.com.
New York: Crabtree. 2009.
24 pp. each . $15.95 each.
(Grades K–2).
Through simple, easy-tounderstand text and clear,
color action photos on
every page, young Spanish-speaking readers are
introduced to the natural
world and to the concept that plants, animals, and
people are living things with the same basic needs.
Each title includes an index, highlighting palabras
para saber (Words to Know). Los animales crecen y
cambian describes the changes animals go through
as they grow up; ¿Esto es un ser vivo? highlights the
characteristics of living things and their dependence
on nonliving things. Familias de animales shows how
animals behave toward their young; Hogares de los
seres vivos depicts how different animals make their
habitats; Las plantas son seres vivos explains the basics of photosynthesis and food chains; Seres vivos en
mi jardín depicts common backyard animals; Los seres
vivos necesitan agua shows why all plants, animals,
and people need water to grow and survive; Yo soy
un ser vivo explains how people need sunshine, air,
water, and food to grow and change.
¿Cómo se siente al tocarlo? (How Does It Feel?)
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8722-8.
———. ¿De qué color es? (What Color Is It?) ISBN:
978-0-7787-8726-6.
———. ¿Dónde está? (Where Is It?) ISBN:
978-0-7787-8729-7.
———. ¿Es grande o pequeño? (Is It Big or Small?)
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8724-2.
———. ¿Es igual o diferente? (Is It the Same or Different?) ISBN: 978-0-7787-8725-9.
———. ¿Qué aspecto tiene? (How Does It Look?)
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8723-5.
———. ¿Qué forma tiene? (What Shape Is It?)
ISBN: 978-0-7787-8728-0.
Libros de Ciencias en Español
———. ¿Qué sigue? (What Comes Next?). ISBN:
978-0-7787-8727-3.
Bobbie Kalman. Translated by translations.com. New York:
Crabtree. 2009. 24 pp. each. $15.95 each. (Grades K–2).
Easily understood Spanish renditions and exquisite, candid color photos are features of these books. A Palabras
para saber (Words to Know) section complements each
title. ¿Cómo se siente al tocarlo? describes the surfaces
and textures that we can see and touch; ¿De qué color
es? provides examples of color in nature; ¿Dónde está?
shows location, orientation and the relative position
of objects; ¿Es grande o pequeño? compares the relative
size and weight of natural objects; ¿Es igual o diferente?
features grouping and classification by observing differences and similarities in nature; ¿Qué aspecto tiene?
explains patterns and shapes—spots, stripes, circles,
and triangles—in nature; ¿Qué forma tiene? depicts the
various shapes that can be found in nature; ¿Qué sigue?
highlights predictable patterns in nature, such as day and
night, seasons, and weather.
Bajo las olas: vamos a contar la vida marina (Under
the Sea: Counting Ocean Life). Barbara Knox. ISBN:
978-1-4296-1199-2.
Vamos a ordenar por colores (Sorting by Colors).
Jennifer L. Marks. ISBN: 978-1-4296-1196-1.
Translated by Martín Luis Guzmán Ferrer. Mankato,
MN: Capstone. 2008. 32 pp. each. $22.60 each. (Grades
Preschool–1).
With striking color photos and simple text in English
and Spanish, these attractive large-format books encourage children to count from 1 to 10 using various
creatures that live in the ocean and learn to recognize
some criteria by which sets are sorted. Each title includes an interesting facts section, a glossary in both
languages, and an index.
Ballenas (Whales). Carol K. Lindeen. ISBN: 978-14296-2285-1.
———. Delfines (Dolphins). ISBN: 978-1-4296-2283-7.
Cangrejos (Crabs). Jody Sullivan Rake. ISBN: 978-14296-2284-4.
———. Estrellas de mar (Sea Stars). ISBN: 978-14296-2287-5.
———. Manatíes (Manatees). ISBN: 978-14296-2286-8.
Translated by Martín Luis
Guzmán Ferrer. Mankato,
MN: Capstone. 2009. 24 pp.
each. $15.95 each. (Grades
K–1).
Like the previous six titles
in this attractive bilingual
series, these books introduce
the major physical characteristics and behavior patterns of five sea creatures—whales, dolphins, crabs, sea
stars, and manatees. Simple English text followed by a
well-written Spanish rendition appears opposite clear,
underwater color photos. The books also include useful
glossaries in both English and Spanish.
Las estaciones (The Seasons). Iela Mari. ISBN:
978-84-96388-57-4. Sevilla: Kalandraka. 2007. 34 pp.
$19.95. (Grades K–2).
Clean, simple illustrations featuring a large tree in
the middle of a field depict the change of seasons in
this charming, wordless book, originally published by
Emme Edizioni, Italy. Alongside the black or white silhouette of the tree, a wide-eyed squirrel hibernates in
the winter, followed by spring’s rebirth as the squirrel
emerges from the ground, the tree sprouts new leaves,
birds return to their nest, and grass covers the ground.
Joyfully and serenely through elegant color strokes,
dabs, and fine lines, this book celebrates nature’s seasonal grandeur.
Adivina qué está creciendo dentro de este huevo
(Guess What Is Growing Inside This Egg). Mia
Posada. ISBN: 978-0-7613-3906-9. Minneapolis: Lerner. 2009. 30 pp. $16.95. (Grades K–2).
In this title, young Spanish speakers will see and read
how six animals—penguins, alligators, ducklings, sea turtles, spiders,
and octopuses—hatch from eggs.
Beginning with an engaging rhymed
couplet—Entre las patas y bajo el
calor de papa, /un huevo cómodo
y calentito está (This egg sits snugly
on its father’s feet /He warms it with
his body’s heat)—young readers are
encouraged “to guess what is growing inside this egg.”
Each striking watercolor-and-collage illustration features spectacular views of animals as they hatch in their
natural habitats and includes information about each
one. Back pages describe actual sizes of the eggs and an
inside view of a duck developing within an egg.
Beagles (Beagles). Jody Sullivan Rake. ISBN: 978-14296-2382-7.
———. Dálmatas (Dalmatians). ISBN: 978-1-42962383-4.
———. Pugs (Pugs). ISBN: 978-1-4296-2386-5.
Golden Retrievers (Golden Retrievers). Lisa Trumbauer. ISBN: 978-1-4296-2384-1.
———. Poodles (Poodles). ISBN: 978-1-4296-2385-8.
———. S a l c h i c h a s ( D a c h s h u n d s ) . I S B N :
978-1-4296-2388-9.
Translated by Martín Luis Guzmán Ferrer. Mankato,
March 2009 49
MN: Capstone. 2009. 24 pp each.
$12.95 each. (Grades PreK–1).
In simple bilingual text (the Spanish
rendition follows the English) and with
full-color photos on the opposite page,
this series introduces young students to
the growth and care of dogs—beagles,
dalmatians, golden retrievers, poodles,
and dachshunds. Each title includes a glossary—both in
English and Spanish.
Veamos el invierno (Let’s Look at Winter). ISBN:
978-1-4296-2291-2.
———. Veamos el otoño (Let’s Look at Fall). ISBN:
978-1-4296-2288-2.
———. Veamos el verano (Let’s Look at Summer).
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2290-2.
———. Veamos la primavera (Let’s Look at Spring).
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2289-9.
Sarah L. Schuette. Translated by Dr. Martín Luis
Guzmán Ferrer. Mankato, MN: Capstone. 2009. 24 pp.
each. $15.95 each. (Grades preK–1).
Very young English and Spanish speakers are encouraged to
observe and predict changes in plants, animals, and weather
in each season. Exquisite full-color photos face one or two
short sentences in English, followed by a delightfully simple
Spanish rendition in the same font. Bilingual glossaries
complement this exploration of the four seasons.
Biology
¿Qué es la migración? (What Is Migration?) ISBN:
978-0-7787-8769-3. John Crossingham and Bobbie
Kalman.
¿Cómo encuentran alimento los animales? (How
Do Animals Find Food?). Bobbie Kalman. ISBN:
978-0-7787-8768-6.
Translated by translations.com. New York: Crabtree.
2008. 32 pp. each. $18.90 each. (Grades 3–5).
This attractively designed series features clear color
photos and drawings that add interest to the text. Why
animals move periodically from one region or climate
to another is explained in ¿Qué es la migración?; the
methods animals use to find food are described in
¿Cómo encuentran alimento los animales?
Perros y gatos (Dogs and Cats). Steve Jenkins. ISBN:
978-84-261-3669-5. Translated by
Raquel Solà. Barcelona: Juventud.
2008. 40 pp. $21.95. (Grades 1–5).
Whether used an appealing picture
flip-book about dogs (one end of the
book) or cats (from the other end)
for the young, or as a reference for
older readers to learn important facts
50 Science and Children
about the evolution, physical characteristics, behavior,
and domestication of each animal, this ingeniously designed large-format publication will entrance Spanishspeaking readers/viewers.
Los perritos de las praderas (Prairie Dogs). ISBN:
978-0-7613-3896-3.
———. Los puercoespines (Porcupines). ISBN: 9780-7613-3897-0.
———. Los pulpos (Octopuses). ISBN: 978-0-76133898-7.
———. Los zorrillos (Skunks). ISBN: 978-0-76133899-4.
Sandra Markle. Translated by translations.com. Minneapolis: Lerner. 2009. 40 pp. each. $25.26 each. (Grades 3–6).
These noteworthy Spanish translations maintain the clarity and vigor of the original narrative as they detail the
defensive strategies used by prey animals and each animal
species’ place within the food chain of life. Los perritos
de las praderas describes why prairie dogs find safety in
large colonies and why many live together in underground
tunnels. Spectacular color closeup photos capture the drama as
the animals come to the surface
to nibble prairie grasses, always
watching for eagles, coyotes
or black-footed ferrets. But if
one prairie dog is captured, the
group will attack and drive the predator away. Follow-up
questions, a complete glossary, an index, and additional
sources (in English only) complement this impressive
series about predators and preys. Los puercoespines shows
how porcupines can drive their long sharp quills into their
enemies’ skin to protect themselves from their predators.
Los pulpos explains how octopuses use their eight arms to
catch crabs and shellfish to eat and squirt ink into the water
to escape from their enemies. Los zorrillos features striped
skunks that live in North American forests and describes
how they are equipped with a foul-smelling liquid that
they can spray to keep their enemies away.
Álbum visual de la naturaleza y sus cambios
mes a mes (Nature: Month to Month). ISBN:
978-84-216-8031-5.
René Mettler. Translated by Aquilino Álvarez. Madrid:
Bruño. 2008. 33 pp. $40. (Grades 2–4).
The change of seasons is described through the eyes
of the author. Double-page spreads and foldouts with
beautiful nature scenes complement this personal view
of the seasons.
General Science
Esa caótica química (Chemical Chaos). 158 pp.
ISBN: 978-84-2722-052-2.
Libros de Ciencias en Español
———. Esos sufridos científicos (Suffering Scientists). 192 pp. ISBN: 978-84-272-2067-7.
Nick Arnold. Translated by Josefina Caball. Barcelona:
RBA Libros. 2008. $10.95 each. (Grades 5–8).
With cartoon drawings, witty explanations, amusing sidebars, and a lighthearted text, the Esa Horrible
Ciencia series provides an enjoyable and approachable
introduction to science and noteworthy scientific achievements in
history. Esos sufridos científicos,
an attractively designed paperback, humorously covers a range
of scientific discoveries from the
method of ensayo y error (trial and
error) in the Stone Age through
modern astronomers, chemists,
biologists and physicists up to
Albert Einstein’s teoría de la relatividad (theory of relativity) and
Niels Bohr’s mecánica cuántica
(quantum mechanics). Esa caótica química highlights
the importance of chemistry in our lives, beginning with
espantosos alquimistas (frightening alchemists) and
unnecessarily troublesome words and then providing
examples of química culinaria (culinary chemistry) and
descriptions of useful discoveries, such as nylon, the
atom, chlorine, and recycling plastics.
¿Quieres ser paleontólogo? (Do You Want to Be a
Paleontologist?) José Gibert. ISBN: 978-84-236-8223-2.
$19.95. Barcelona: Edebé. 2007. 263 pp. (Grades 4–7).
In a first-person narrative José Gibert, a well-known
Spanish paleontologist, tells why he is devoted to
the study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric
and geologic times. He provides a brief history of his
profession, the reasons he enjoys his work, and states
that paleontologists need to love nature and adventure
and to always persevere. Numerous color photos and
subheads add to the appealing design. A glossary and
suggestions for further reading are also included.
La prudencia a tu alcance (Safety Within Your
Reach). Sylvie Girardet. Translated by Núria Martí.
47 pp. ISBN: 84-9754-212-6.
La ciudad a tu alcance (The City Within Your Reach).
Michel Le Duc and Nathalie Tordjman. Translated by
Núria Martí. 79 pp. ISBN: 84-9754-211-8.
———. La geología a tu alcance (Geology Within
Your Reach). 78 pp. ISBN: 978-84-9754-251-7.
El desarrollo sostenible a tu alcance (Sustainable
Development Within Your Reach). Catherine Stern.
Translated by Gemma Gallart Alvarez. 71 pp. ISBN:
978-84-9754-293-7.
Barcelona: Oniro. 2007. $11.95 each. (Grades 2–5).
Like the previous titles in the snappy Querido Mundo
paperback series, these books feature spirited text with
clear subheads, informative sidebars, and appealing pencil-and-watercolor illustrations. Each title also contains
a minidiccionario (glossary) and a simple test followed
by well-explained answers. Basic safety precautions—at
home, outdoors, and on the street—are explained in La
prudencia a tu alcance. The history, and development,
and uniqueness of cities around the world are described
in La ciudad a tu alcance. The origin, history, and
structure of the Earth are introduced in La geología a tu
alcance. The benefits of sustainable development and
the dangers to biodiversity and of global warming are
highlighted in El desarrollo sostenible a tu alcance. Enjoy
these lighthearted introductions to our world.
Health
¿Por qué tenemos que comer? (Why Must We Eat?)
ISBN: 978-84-261-3587-2.
———. María va a la pediatra. (María Goes to the
Pediatrician). ISBN: 978-84-261-3589-6.
Christian Tielmann. Translated by Maria Antònia Torras. Barcelona: Juventud. 2007. 26 pp. each. $20.95 each.
(Grades 2–4).
Highlighting children’s likes and dislikes about certain
foods, ¿Por qué tenemos que comer? matter-of-factly
explains the importance of good nutrition for children.
Cartoon illustrations capture the
world of children and their favorite and not-so-favorite foods
with wit and pizzazz. This is not
a dull repetition of proper eating
habits, but rather a description
of how a well-balanced diet can
be realistically integrated into
a child’s daily life. It concludes with two-page spreads:
one describes organic farming, the other Países distintos,
comidas distintas (Different countries, Different foods)
contrasting eating styles in France, Ethiopia, Japan, and
China. In María va a la pediatra, a young girl is not feeling well, so papá takes her to the pediatrician. Through
the girl’s eyes, readers’ experience a visit to the doctor’s
office and learn about common diseases in children—los
resfriados (colds), la varicela (chicken pox), el sarampión
(measles), and las alergias (allergies). Well-placed flaps
further explain such facts as the body’s defenses against
germs and inflammation of the tonsils. n
Isabel Schon ([email protected]) is director
of the Isabel Schon International Center for Spanish
Books for Youth at the San Diego Public Library
in San Diego, California. Search for new books in
Spanish at www.isabelschoncenter.org.
March 2009 51