Cece Loves Science: Push and Pull

Cece Loves Science

by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)

Cece loves science! In this STEM-themed Level 3 I Can Read! title, Cece and her friend Isaac learn about the opposite forces of push and pull, and use their new knowledge to create a treat dispenser for Cece’s dog, Einstein. Perfect for aspiring scientists, emerging readers, and fans of Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist. 



Cece loves science—and experimenting! In this Cece Loves Science Level 3 I Can Read!, Cece’s teacher, Miss Curie, explains the opposite forces of push and pull. To demonstrate this concept, she divides the class into two teams. Each team must make a treat dispenser for Cece’s dog, Einstein, that uses both forces. Cece and her classmates rely on science, creativity, and teamwork—and they learn a lot along the way.

The Cece Loves Science books introduce readers to basic concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math, and are perfect for the classroom. This Level 3 I Can Read! focuses on basic scientific vocabulary and includes a glossary of terms and fun activities for readers to try on their own. A great pick for beginning readers!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Stem, School

40 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2020

About the author

Kimberly Derting once wanted to be a “foxy lady trucker” but changed her mind when she took 7th-grade journalism and discovered writing. She hasn’t looked back since.

She’s the author of award-winning young adult novels, including The Body Finder series, The Pledge trilogy, and The Taking trilogy. She’s also co-written many popular picture books, including the Loves Science series, the Farm Friends series, and Penny: The Engineering Tail of The Fourth Little Pig. Her first solo picture book is Baby Steps: A Picture Book For New Siblings.

Her young adult books have been translated into over 15 languages, and both THE BODY FINDER and THE PLEDGE were YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults selections. Her picture books have received starred reviews, been Amazon book-of-the-month picks, and were featured in Good Housekeeping.

These days, Kimberly lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she watches WAY too much Netflix, orders 20-pound boxes of Nerds gumballs from Amazon, and loves to complain about the rain even though she lives in Seattle, where it rains ALL of the time! You can find her online at www.kimberlyderting.com


Note: I'm the worst about checking my Goodreads email...I apologize if I don't get back to you! If you need to reach me, try emailing me at kim(at)kimberlyderting(dot)com

Reviews

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice illustrations and great for young kids learning basics in science. Plus the dog makes it a 5 star alone!!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic way to bring simple science/ physics concepts to young readers. Cece and her classmates learn about the concepts of the forces push and pull from their teacher Ms. Curie (a clever nod to scientist Madam Curie, as is Cece’s dog, named Einstein). Then she allows the students to experiment with makerspace items, using the push and pull concepts to create a treat dispenser for Cece’s dog, Einstein. Backmatter includes different experiments that readers can try to learn more about the forces of push and pull as well as a glossary. Extremely approachable for beginning readers & scientists. The story is brought to life with beautiful and bright illustrations by Vashti Harrison. Recommended for K-2

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that is mostly about building a Rube Goldberg dog treat dispenser. This is clearly the best way to teach basic physics stuff like momentum and push and pull. (That’s not me being sarcastic that is me acknowledging a basic universal truth)

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early reader about Cece. Emerging readers can read this themselves or share with someone. Cece's class learns about forces by creating a dog treat dispenser using a variety of materials.
Humor and learning mixed together.
Information text included at the end of the story.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book so much more than I thought I would! The color pictures and engineering focus were so engaging.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derting and Johannes have also authored one early reader for the series, and it looks like more are coming our way in the next year! For those readers just breaking into reading longer books on their own, Cece Loves Science: Push and Pull is written with good accessibility (the text is more spread out and easy to follow than in the picture books, but the scientific information is still strong. Derting and Johannes also include two experiments studying the forces of push and pull, as well as a small glossary of scientific terms at the back.

The whole series is wonderfully diverse, featuring interracial families, highlighting women in science, and celebrating friendships between boys and girls. My girls love the stories themselves, and I am delighted by how much science they learn (without even realizing it) and are inspired to do themselves (we’ve got grand plans to do all 4 experiments outlined in Libby Loves Science over the next few weeks). Though Derting is an accomplished author, she did major in biology, and her deep understanding of scientific processes shines in each book.

[Sue H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cece is back in another science-filled story, this time she is exploring the concept of force by building a dog treat dispenser in her science class. Unlike some older levelled readers, this book stands as an interesting story all on its own, and in this case, it is one that is also scientifically sound. I enjoyed watching as Cece and her peers tested how each object was placed together to get the desired impact. There are so many ways that this book can also be used in the home or the classroom to expand STEM learning in addition to teaching children how to read. The illustrations are colorful and bring the characters and the story to life.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cool concept for an early reader book. There is a science lesson element involved, as readers learn along with Cece about the forces of push and pull. There are also a few little experiments included in the back that are simple enough for kids to try on their own. Cute pictures too.

[Alon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the dog is named Einstein, because it's like Albert Einstein, and Ms. Curie is like Marie Curie. They're very, very famous scientists. And I like that they love science. And I loved how they made treat dispensers, because can you imagine if you're a doggy? That would be really amazing, right? Alon, 8

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about problem solving and forces. It dragged a bit for me in the middle when they describe all the measuring, taping, etc. but it was still pretty cute. Definitely had to suspend me disbelief over the class that has like 8 kids and a class hamster AND fish and allows a dog to come to school for the day... maybe it's a summer camp haha.

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great addition to the collection. I love sharing these books with my students. This school year, as the Librarian, I am being asked to enhance the virtual teaching of Science and Social Studies. I am building my lesson around this book. Thank You!

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about the concept of Force and Push and Pull. I like the practical experiments Cece and her friends do to demonstrate these. There's also great racial diversity among the cast.

As far as independent reading level, I would put it at about 2nd grade.

[Laura Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for KS1

My 6 year old devoured this book and loved how Cece’s team won. Would highly recommend for year 1 children

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the forces of push and pull, with a fun competition propelling the story along. Great!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lincoln and I enjoy many of these Science related books.
We will be reading more from this series together.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

9/1/21 Read with Julia

[Aarvik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful read. Reading alone (3) is a bit tough for the 4 year young at this end 😅

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read about motion. Newton's Laws are kind of introduced, through a push and pull experiment the students do. Includes 2 easy experiments of push and pull along with a small glossary.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are going to make this later! They were excited to try themselves.

[Biblioteca lui Lucas]

Way too short for my little one (not that little anymore).

[Elliott Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This taught me that you can make fun things, like a treat dispenser, with science!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cece learns about push and pull a treat for her and her classmates, there is even a treat at the end for Einstein.