Libby Loves Science: Mix and Measure

Cece Loves Science

by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Joelle Murray (Illustrator)

Libby loves science! In this STEM-themed Level 3 I Can Read! title, Libby and her friend Rosa learn about mixing and measuring to bake a delicious treat for a puppy party. A great choice for aspiring scientists, emerging readers, and fans of Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist. Includes activities, a glossary, and a cupcake recipe.

Libby loves science—and experimenting! In this Level 3 I Can Read! title, Libby hosts a puppy party for her friends and their dogs. With the help of her friend Rosa and little brother, Libby decorates, stuffs goody bags and bakes delicious cupcakes. But when they realize they’ve forgotten an important ingredient, they use science to solve the problem—just in the nick of time.

The Loves Science books introduce readers to girls who love science, as well as basic concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math. This Level 3 I Can Read! focuses on basic chemistry and friendship. A great pick for newly independent readers and an ideal companion to Cece Loves Science: Push and Pull.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Cooking, Juvenile, Kids, African American

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2021

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

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute STEM title, this could be as much a math title as it is a science title.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find it particularly engaging, but it could be good for kids who enjoy baking, science and dogs. My six-year-old enjoys all three and smiled a few times during the story but hasn't picked it up again.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and fun kids book! And now I want to have a puppy party for my dog!!!

[Therese Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was definitely a DNF for Parker. Way above his level, but I do admire that he selected it.

STEM themed books are important. We will definitely be seeking out more books like this, but will try to stay age-appropriate. I’m rating this one high, because I did read through it and thought it was well done. I’ve always love science and I love seeing a little girl enjoying the scientific method in the pages of this book.

Parker and I will be back Libby. You keep persevering and setting the example!

[Jeanine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content is educational but children felt disengaged from the story because of all the lists and each character speaking in so many short bursts made it hard for them to follow. Could be good content if maybe used for reading comprehension but choosing something more engaging would be better.

[Octavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Sweetest" Learning Experience! 🩷🧁🩷

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for young readers as the story is easy to understand and even contains problem-solving skills that young readers can learn from. I love that the author noted that since the children used half the batter that was on the recipe, in order to recreate the correct form of the cupcakes, they would need to divide the amount of baking powder in half. Perhaps it would be nice to also draw the thinking process of knowing how to divide 1.5 teaspoons by half to get 3/4; I think it would make the story more amazing with a visual description.

Another thing that I would suggest that would make the story better is to include "Don't forget the baking powder!" into the list of things when Libby's mom asked "How did you make such fluffy cupcakes?" because I feel like that is the most important part of the entire story and why the children had to start over again with the cupcakes, just as a reminder for young readers to remember to put baking powder to make cupcakes.

Other than that, the story is well-thought out and the illustrations are fantastic!

[Sue H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This leveled reader is a “sweet” one. As Libby prepares for a special birthday party for her puppy, Sprinkles, we join her as she makes cupcakes – which will probably interest most kids. Libby loves science, and baking involves a lot of opportunities for STEM learning. At the end of the book, there are opportunities to expand that learning, AND there is a recipe for cupcakes—a definite treat for those who love making (or eating) sweets. This book is perfect for those learning or practicing their reading but can also stand alone as a story which makes it an interesting book for a variety of ages.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning reader that continues to share Libby's love of science in everyday life. This time she and a friend make cupcakes for a dog party. Readers see them measure ingredients and mix them together. They even see the first mistake/failure and watch them figure out what went wrong.
Encouraging STEM book for lower elementary readers.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do like the lesson about what baking powder does and the little moment where they have to figure out what is half of 1 1/2 but overall the book is just kind of boring because it's a list of things they do. First we...., then..., I don't know, maybe kids will find it fun since there are colorful pictures and it's about a dog birthday party but I just found it dragged.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Libby is excited to host a birthday party for her puppy! Libby, Rosa, and little brother Leo work together to get ready for the party. Their decorations, games, and goody bags are perfect, but the cupcakes are rock hard! What went wrong?

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Maria Logan-Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just ordered this and 4 other books from the "I Can Read" series for our great-granddaughter for Christmas. I know she will love it.

[MonsterM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I love science and cupcakes.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Animals and cooking and math?!? This book mixes them all together (pun intended)! Terrific early reader.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great series.

[Cecile · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how measurements and chemical reactions were explored in an engaging context!

[Drusilla Pair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book to teach children about the importance of following a recipe.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libby makes cupcakes for Sprinkles birthday party, but they fall flat. They find they missing cupcake ingredient and this time the cupcakes come out just right.