Baby Loves Quarks!

Baby Loves Science

by Ruth Spiro, Irene Chan (Illustrator)

Disponible en edición bilingüe inglés-español, esta exitosa serie ofrece importantes e interesantes temas científicos para hacer pensar a los más pequeños.

Con la exactitud de un experto y la sencillez para que lo entienda un niño, Quarks explica los principios físicos y químicos básicos de las partículas (quarks, protones, neutrones, átomos y moléculas) y los relaciona con el mundo del bebé. Contiene atractivas ilustraciones que se complementan con un lenguaje apropiado para que el bebé se maraville. Y no solo el bebé... ¡padres y cuidadores también pueden aprender mucho!

Now available in Spanish bilingual editions, this best-selling series offers big, brainy science for the littlest listeners.

Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for Baby, Quarks explores the basics of particle physics and chemistry - quarks, protons, neutrons, atoms and molecules - and ties it all to Baby's world. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage a baby's sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two as well!

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Kids, Middle Grade

22 pages, Board Book

Published October 4, 2016

About the author

Ruth Spiro is the author of the Baby Loves Science series, published by Charlesbridge. These adorably illustrated board books contain expert-reviewed science, yet are simple enough for the very youngest readers. Another new picture book series, Made by Maxine, will be published by Dial in October, 2018.

Ruth is a frequent speaker at schools and conferences, and recent presentations include the Early Childhood STEM Conference at CalTech and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

Reviews

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: BABY LOVES QUARKS! by Ruth Spiro and Irene Chan, ill., Charlesbridge, October 2016, 20p., ISBN: 978-1-58089-540-8

“An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar.”
--from literarydevices.net

“Baby likes to build a tower with blocks.
Nature likes to build things, too!
Baby builds with blocks.
Nature builds with quarks.”

Over the generations, two and three year-olds have shown a keen ability to embrace and share sophisticated terminology relating to their passions for such things as dinosaurs, Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My three year-old grandson knows his construction truck terminology and will proudly (and impatiently) correct anyone who misidentifies a wheel loader, an excavator, or a backhoe.

Little kids know:
Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, Tyrannosaurus rex.
Sunstreaker, Laserbeak, Ironhide, Megatron
Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello

So why not:
Quarks, Protons, Neutrons, Atoms, Molecules.

“Everything in the world is made of atoms and molecules. Even Baby!”

BABY LOVES QUARKS! has all the right stuff to make this happen. The cute little quarks look like garden peas in a variety of colors. They all have big smiles and hands to grab onto one another. The pattern through which subatomic particles join into more complex building blocks is simply and accurately depicted in a manner that makes sense to both little kids and adults. These building blocks of our world can be built up and knocked down just like Baby’s tower.

BABY LOVES QUARKS! is a first-class kid’s science book. I just wish it came with a cute quark doll...err...action figure. If that ever comes to pass, I’ll be looking to collect the entire set.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ADULT I learned things from reading this... insanely cool. WOW.

Can't wait to buy this for every baby I know!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

We reread this recently again on the request of the Moongazer (Where the qorks? Mummy read qorks. Please qorks.) and this time around it was a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating experience for both the hubster and I. Not that it wasn't fun before but it was really great to see in practice what I've read about the importance of introducing kids to STEM language as early as possible. The little dude was fully involved with reading about atoms and protons and electrons, and remembered the water molecule when we came to the pic of the water molecule and then associated that with his water bottle. We kinda freaked out whenever he remembered stuff from the book because it was ages since we read it to him. When I asked him what everything in the world is made of, he says, "atoms." That's not because he is a genius or anything, it's just because in addition to reading Pip the Puppy and Lizzy the Lamb, we happen to read to him about quarks too. Why do we feel that babies, toddlers, and older kids should only be exposed to words about cars, or farm animals, or colours, or Disney? They're little sponges and introducing them to the language of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics just means that when they encounter the more detailed aspects of STEM later in their lives, the words will already be familiar to them thereby making these subjects feel like old friends. When I was younger, I did not even know of the existence of quarks or the fact that everything in the whole world, including myself, is made up of atoms. I want my little guys to be exposed to all the wonders of this world and nature's building blocks fall smack bang in the category of wondrous.

[Agnė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Spiro simply explains an ambitious concept using a parallel between building blocks and quarks:

Baby likes to build a tower with blocks.
Nature likes to build things, too!
Baby builds with blocks.
Nature builds with quarks.

And I love the ending :)

Irene Chan's illustrations are cute and colorful:

[albin james · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is remarkable for its choice of topic and sincere effort to promote Physics education among young children. I was pleasantly surprised to find this in the schedule for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and got a chance to have it read from the author herself =) Quarks and Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) are beautiful results in theoretical high energy Physics and also form an essential block of our understanding of the universe that we humans are part of. Happy =)

[Zahra tavakoli · Rating 2 out of 5]

کیفیت چاپ و نوع تصویرگری به نظر مناسب گروه سنی 2 تا 4 سال است اما مفاهیم کتاب مناسب بالای پنج شش سال است.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby likes to build with blocks. Nature builds with Quarks. So begins this board book introduction to the subatomic world. At first, I must admit I was a bit skeptical. A book about quarks, atoms, and molecules for babies? I am still not 100% sure how many little toddlers will be babbling about smashing a nucleus when you're done, but the book is delightful. The science is described in the simplest of terms. The text on each page is brief. The illustrations are bright and attractive and the whole thing ends with a block tower crashing down. It's easy to believe that all babies are going to be little scientists when you close the back cover.

[Phaea Crede · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I heard about this book (and it's sister Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering) I knew I had to get my mitts on it for my baby and myself! And the book doesn't disappoint. Spiro breaks down the science lesson in a fun, accessible way that even my 1 year old enjoys, while lighting the fire of curiosity for further research (on my part now, but on her part when she's older!) My 4 year old really enjoys it too, especially the block smashing at the end. I wish there were more board books like this.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just talking about our lack of science books the other day. There are plenty once Kait is a bit better at listening for longer and gentler with the pages, but we haven't found many science board books. And then, serendipitously, we came across this at the library. I love it so much. It compares baby building with blocks to quarks building protons and neutrons and then building atoms with electrons and then building molecules. It's fantastic fun and the illustrations are particularly awesome.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute little story to introduce kids/babies to science. I love the parallels Spiro draw to everyday objects so that it becomes an easier concept to grasp. I have been looking for a fun sciency book to give my friend for her baby shower, and I think this is a great choice! I will be looking for the aerospace engineering one as well.

Note: I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads giveaways

[Sadie Forsythe]

Cute. Why not introduce the building blocks of the world to infants? Makes sense to me. It's a board book, so short, but as cute a baby book as any other.

[KT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable way to teach kids science with a twist!

[Michelle Arredondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby Loves Quarks! by Ruth Spiro is a wonderful little cardboard style book. It's bright and vivid and easy for little kids to find entertaining. And OMG I absolutely loved the theme "Quarks"!!! How amazing is that. I had no clue myself as an adult what a Quark was (had to google) and I find it wonderful that the author Ruth Spiro thought to give such a complicated theme for children and make it fun....which then makes it fun to learn...and books that teach the kiddos something is awesome in my book (pun intended).

Loved this book...my youngest kid loves this book...and I am certain that new family members that just had babies will fall in love with this book as well (because I certainly plan on recommending they go out and purchase their own copy).


Thanks as always to the wonderful peeps here at goodreads and to Ruth Spiro for my opportunity to receive this book for free in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I won this book through the Goodreads contest. Not obligated to write a review but wanted to share a few thoughts.

Both my 1 year old and 4 year old enjoyed this quite a bit. Unfortunately, I feel like the book was a little over the head of my 1 year old (admittedly she does have a tough time sitting still through an entire book). My 4 year old understood the book way better and had some follow-up questions for me which I enjoyed!

Overall, I feel like the concepts for this book fit a slightly older audience than the board book is aimed it. However the art style is very engaging and I'm hoping that both my kids will keep coming back to this book over the next several+ years :)

[Micah Sommersmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son doesn't talk, so he can't explain for himself why this book is so great. But it very quickly became one of his favorites. He consistently finds it from the bookshelf and brings it over to be read. The bright colors and playful illustrations are immediately appealing, and the simple direct text explains the building blocks of the universe. Will it help foster a continuing interest in science? Who on earth knows, but for now it's good fun!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Spiro's Baby Loves Science books tackle advanced scientific concepts in a simplified way with vibrant illustrations to engage even the littlest of little ones. In Baby Loves Quarks!, Spiro explains quarks by drawing a parallel between how baby builds with blocks and nature builds with quarks. This one is probably the least "dumbed down" of any of the others I've read, but it's still very easy to follow.

[Maria Shuffit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not overemphasize my love for this series of books. This one in particular did an excellent job of making a complex idea, very simple - while so many of these science board books really seem to be more for the adults than for kids, this one really could be easily related to a child to help them understand what quarks are. And it manages to do so in a playful, fun way, making it interesting and engaging. Love it!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyssa Pusey at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights for Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering and Baby Loves Quarks by Ruth Spiro (l.), illustrated by Irene Chan, a pair of picture books that connect our everyday world to the science that underlies everything. Publication is scheduled for fall 2016; the illustrator is now represented by CATugeau LLC, and Susan Hawk at the Bent Agency represented the author.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 month old likes to carry this book around. My five year old likes it too. Awesome illustrations. Simple but wonderful text with great words like nucleus. Even relates science to a small child's everyday experience of building block towers. I think the bright colors really started the appeal for my baby. A must buy.

[RaisingReal Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science + board books= well done! I loved the traditional feel of a bright, happy board book, with the pictures and words to help develop scientific ideas and vocabulary from the start. My guess is that the other baby shower attendees will not be bringing other books about atoms, so this is a safe bet for your next baby shower!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains quarks and atoms in a simple, easy to understand way for young children to understand. The author uses an analogy of baby building with blocks, and nature building things with quarks, which form protons and neutrons, then atoms, from which everything in nature is built.

Bright illustrations keep the visuals engaging and this is definitely a kid appropriate science book!

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protons, and neutrons, and electrons - oh, my!
Baby thinks smashing a nucleus would be fun - oh, my!



Another adorable entry in this fun series.

[Andrés · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here I was, wasting my time being mad at Chris Ferrie's dense, confusing, boring-illustration science board books when the Baby Loves series exists...and is excellent! Baby Loves Quarks succinctly explains quarks and relates the physics concept to baby play with blocks. Illustrations are cute and colorful, and the reader feels accomplished and knowledgeable at the end of the book. Hooray.

[TCZM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a big hit with my six month old. She loves to page through it an look at the pictures a few times after we're done reading or will happily let me read it to her a couple of times in one sitting.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I get it? I'm still not quite sure *exactly* what a quark is, but I definitely liked the parallels the book drew between atoms and molecules and building a tower out of blocks!

Will definitely be buying this series for my little one!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is perfect. It introduces big concepts, in this case, quarks, atoms, and molecules, in a developmentally appropriate way. This one compares a baby building with blocks to the building blocks that make up the universe. And the pictures are adorable.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Two loves this book. Her favourite part is where the scientists smash the nucleus and baby smashes the block tower - smash, smash, smash.
She has two other books is the series but this is her current favourite.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one quite as much as the last Baby Science book I read because it seemed like a little too much information for me to follow easily. But still a cute way to share science with even the tiniest scientists.

[Fay Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how matter is broken down into building blocks, but the introduction of quarks complicates it a bit. The book could be clearing focusing on protons, electrons, and neutrons. The quarks are introduced with little context beyond naming them.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone loved this book. We've liked all the 'baby loves' books we've tried in this series. This one is not holiday/seasonal specific, compares building blocks of molecules to building with wooden blocks.