My Dog is NOT a Scientist

by Betsy Ellor, Luisa Vera (Illustrator)

A humorous, endearing story about a passionate, young scientist who is determined to achieve her goal--no matter what! Yara is out to prove that she's the greatest scientist in town! Her annoying neighbor Eddie always wins the Science Fair, but this year is going to be HER year. Like every good scientist, Yara starts with a question, makes observations, and comes up with a hypothesis . . . but each time she starts an experiment, her dog, Renzo, ruins it! Could Renzo be up to something more than making trouble? From Betsy Ellor and Luisa Vera comes a humorous, endearing story about a passionate, young scientist who is determined to achieve her goal--no matter what!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

About the author

Betsy Ellor lives near the beach in a house filled with color and chaos. When not at her desk, she’s usually either hiking, hunting for shells, or chasing either her son or dog. She’s the editor for the anthology Heroic Care and the author of Sara Crewe a family musical that has been performed across the US, and the picture book, My Dog is NOT a Scientist from Yeehoo Press.

Reviews

[Sara Fajardo]

An entertaining dive into the scientific process and what truly makes a scientist. Yara is determined that she's the city's best scientist even if her annoying classmate Eddie always takes the blue ribbon in the school science fair. With the unexpected help of her dog, Renzo, Yara discovers what makes a scientist and that there is more than one way to conduct an experiment. Great resource for teachers to help round out curriculum on the scientific method, especially with its simple explanation of key vocabulary and terms such as hypothesis.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street]

This picture book has a fun and wild energy with lots of humorous moments as the dog in the story causes a lot of science experiments to go awry. While the plot is a bit over the top and silly, it makes for a fun page-turner. I also enjoy that woven throughout the narrative is a lesson on what science is and how scientists work. The back of the book contains even more detail to inspire young readers on their scientific journeys.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Yeehoo Press. Opinions are my own.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An energetic and very playful dog creates scenes, which will have readers laughing, while sneaking in the basic foundations of creating and conducting experiments in the slyest and most clever ways.

Yara is the best scientist in town, and this year, she's finally going to prove it, especially to Eddie. The neighbor kid wins the science fair every year and insists that she doesn't have a chance. The main reason: Renzo, the family dog. But Yara is determined and not giving up. She's a professional and knows how to conduct her research and experiments, but despite her careful planning and set-up, Renzo finds a way to mess things up to the extreme. At this rate, Yara will never get the chance to prove her greatness.

You don't need to be a dog owner or fan to get caught up in this silly read. Yara is a girl with spunk and determination, and the slightly arrogant attitude of her neighbor will have readers rooting for her from beginning to end...or maybe not, since Renzo's antics are worth every laugh. While Yara sits down and conducts her careful and very scientific (and age appropriate) studies, it's hard not to wonder and guess at how Renzo will ruin every single one. The illustrations bring each scene detail and make the humor that much more fun as every disaster creates chaos.

What surprised me, though, was how masterfully the author weaves in the important aspects of forming an experiment. From creating a hypothesis to planning and recording data, Yara gets a chance to go through step-by-step. Thanks to her personality, it fits into the humor seamlessly. At the end of the book, there is more information on how to do experiments and projects as well as other fun hints. This makes this a great read to launch readers into their own science realms. So, teachers and homeschoolers might find this a fun way to use this as an introduction to those first experiments. If nothing else, laughs are guaranteed.

The read flows smoothly with something grabbing happening on every page. The text is age appropriate and does introduce some more difficult terms, but not without explanation. So, it expands the vocabulary without ever growing even remotely boring or weighing down. It makes a very nice read-aloud and fits the age group nicely. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I received a DRC and enjoyed this one even more than I thought I would.

[Lori Alden Holuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time for the school's annual Science Fair and Yara is super-excited about it! I love Yara's never-give-up attitude, even when she's being mocked by Eddie, the guy that's always won the Science Fair in the past, or when she's thwarted by her overly-eager dog, Renzo. As she struggles to come up with the perfect project to win first place, she figures out what it means to be a real scientist.

Kids will learn big words like 'observations' and 'hypothesis' as they appear in the story, explained in clear, short explanations that shouldn't confuse the intended 5-8 year old reading audience. And speaking of those big words - As a reader who learned a lot of my own vocabulary from books when I was very young, I know it can be tricky to get the pronunciation right without actually hearing the word. Parents can help their child by saying these words aloud, so the child doesn't turn a mispronunciation into a bad habit.

After the story is finished, there's one last page in the book. Now it's time for your child to become a scientist, too! "The Scientific Method" is explained in a way that will help a child formulate a question, and team up with their parents for a successful, exciting outcome.

Learning really should be fun. My Dog is NOT a Scientist just might become your budding scientist's favorite book.

About The Illustrations
Luisa Vera's delightful illustrations are bursting with vibrant colors and energy. Yara's expressions are priceless! I appreciate that the illustrations are chock-full of little details. Most kids enjoy studying these sort of illustrations, and take joy in finding tiny objects, creatures, or other gems that resonate with them. If you see your child lingering for a long time on one page of this chapter book, don't worry. Odds are that they are on a visual treasure hunt.

My thanks to author Betsy Ellor for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[NBPB Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yara is a promising scientist who has yet to achieve prominence. Eddie, her rude neighbor, wins the science fair every year. He, on the other hand, constantly mocks and discourages her creations. But Yara isn't going down without a fight; she and her dog, Renzo, are determined to prove their value. Yara and Renzo try everything to prove their worth at the current year's fair, but nothing works.

We picked this book for its title. The story will help children grasp the true meaning of perseverance and why it is vital to pursue one's passion. Moreover, the book's vivid illustrations make it a fascinating and engaging read for young children.

Yara and her dog, Renzo, will motivate you to ask questions and seek solutions while ignoring the irrelevant noises around you in Betsy Ellor's My Dog Is NOT A Scientist, which is charmingly illustrated by Luisa Vera.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books

[Ian Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geared for young scientists age 4-8, "My Dog is Not a Scientist" is a delightful and colorful story that entertains as it teaches. Yara wants to win the school science fair, but her nemesis neighbor Eddie always seems to garner all the accolades. While Eddie keeps up a steady stream of criticism for Yara and her ideas, Yara's precocious dog Renzo innocently destroys every one of her experiments with typical canine enthusiasm. All seems lost when Yara finally realizes that in science, failures are not only inevitable, but essential to expanding our knowledge of the world. She cleverly organizes all the failed experiments into a project that proves that Renzo was following the Scientific Method, and is therefore indeed a scientist. In addition to introducing the Scientific Method, this book has great messages that kids need to hear: ask questions, be bold, be creative, learn from your experiences and never give up. This book should be in every school and public library.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have a science fair project looming on the horizon? Or a kid that is fascinated with science? Then I highly recommend checking out this book! It is a perfect introduction to the scientific method.

Yara really loves science. But every year, her annoying and slightly creepy neighbor Eddie wins the science fair. This year, Yara is determined to win. And she has tons of great ideas! But her dog, Renzo, investigates each experiment with somewhat catastrophic results. With the science fair looming, all Yara has to present are failed experiments. But is that necessarily a bad thing? Indeed it is not. As every scientist knows, the process is just as important as the results. Guess who wins the blue ribbon?

The scientific process is such an important aspect of research and there are not a whole lot of books out there that are so easily accessible to kids. Highly recommended - just be prepared to do some awesome science while you read.

[Shachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lively and entertaining picture book that follows a little girl Yara who dreams of becoming a scientist and her annoying neighbor Eddie. Throughout the story, Yara's experiments lead to a series of mishaps and comedic moments because of her dog Renzo, that will have young readers giggling and turning the pages with enthusiasm. Alongside the humor, the book also provides an engaging introduction to the world of science and how scientists work. The back of the book includes additional information and resources to inspire children's curiosity and encourage them to explore science further. Overall, "My Dog is NOT a Scientist" is a fun and informative book that is sure to captivate young readers and inspire them to pursue their interests and passions.

The illustrations are bright and colorful.

[Elizabeth Beeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable way to learn about the scientific method!

Even though my son is younger than the intended age group for this book, we read it together and both thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a fun and cute way to address educational topics such as the five senses, the scientific method, and even character issues like grit and determination.

As a former educator, I also think this book would be a great tool to introduce scientific concepts to young learners. It’s entertaining enough to both educate and get kids excited about learning.

Parents, educators, and (most importantly) kids will love this book. I highly recommend it!

[Beth Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betsy Ellor’s My Dog is NOT a Scientist is a playful book about how everyone -- even dogs -- can be scientists! The book is funny and full of doggie chaos, as Yara’s dog Renzo joyfully destroys every one of her science fair projects. I laughed out loud in a few places: “Real scientists don’t lick each other!” In the end, Renzo teaches Yara how to be a creative, brave, persistent scientist. Ellor’s writing strikes just the right balance between delightful and educational, and Luisa Vera’s energetic illustrations really bring the doggie chaos to life. I highly recommend this book for all the young scientists, dog lovers, or beloved bringers of chaos in your life!

[Jill S · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY DOG IS NOT A SCIENTIST is brimming with fun and re-readability! The page turns are filled with laugh-out-loud humor and surprises that create such an enjoyable read-aloud experience. Luisa Vera’s illustrations are filled with so many fun details and a joyful color palette. There are positive themes like the joy of scientific exploration, resilience, overcoming naysayers, empowering young readers, having patience with others (in this case a spunky dog bff), and more…. The back matter encourages further scientific inquiry. The book jacket cleverly unfolds into an inspiring poster which adds to the gift appeal for this delightful debut picture book, written by Betsy Ellor.

[Jane M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my second graders, and we absolutely loved it! Yara and Renzo teach us about the scientific method through their silly shenanigans. But even more importantly, we learn about the qualities of a good scientist. The illustrations are beyond amazing! So many details to look at and discuss. AND there are wonderful activities in the back for little scientists to try. This is an excellent addition for school and classroom libraries and the perfect read-aloud for all creative and curious kids.

[Srividhya Venkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY DOG IS NOT A SCIENTIST is the perfect book to entertain young minds through its laugh-out-loud humor and adorable illustrations. Not only that, the story evokes interest in science by encouraging the reader to ask questions, make observations, and take a guess on answering their own questions.
My favorite line from the book - "...a good scientist is never afraid to be wrong."
The back matter simplifies the scientific method and inspires curiosity.
Highly recommended for elementary school goers.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, we have a child who is trying to get a science experiment done. But her experiment keeps getting wrecked by their dog. While our kid knows they are the best scientist their neighbor has been the one winning all the awards. And the neighbor is the one saying you can’t be a scientist. But our main character is out to prove them wrong. And the dog is always there to help and sometimes hinder the project along. This book was fun. I could see science teachers reading it to their students, but I’m not sure if it’s one that would be a go to every week story time.

[Angela Padron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of zany antics that can only happen when science meets dog! I love the main character and her determination. All of the attempts at science experiments and interjections by the dog make for an engaging story that will have readers laughing and gasping as they read. Not to mention the main character shows what it means to have a goal and not to give up. I highly recommend this book.

[Pam Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dog is Not a Scientist written by Betsy Ellor, illustrated by Luisa Vera is a fun filled frolicking story about Yara, a young scientist who uses her wits and will to overcome the disruptions and damage caused by her exuberant dog, Renzo, as well as the taunting and teasing from her competitive neighbor, Eddie. Full of energetic illustrations, science facts, and discovery readers can’t help but root for Renzo and Yara!

[Beverly Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both with the storyline and the art, My Dog is NOT a Scientist is a rollicking tale that will keep young readers laughing with each page turn. Follow Yara as she tries to find an experiment that will prove she is the best scientist in town - only to have her efforts foiled by her energetic dog! Besides the humor, the author adds some educational backmatter to guide young would be scientists or those who just have a curious streak! This is a fun and educational read.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yara wants to create a successful science experiment, but her dog Renzo creates one disruption and mess after another. An additional disruption is Eddie, her annoying and competitive neighbor. But maybe there’s a way to incorporate her dog into her science fair project. Alongside the cute story and illustrations, readers get to learn about the scientific method following Yara’s actions and the interesting backmatter. This is a fun and educational read.

[Stacy Davids · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lively, humorous picture book encourages critical thinking and is the best way for kids to learn the basics of the scientific method. It’s a funny, high-energy story about a girl who wants to win the science fair contest, but her dog keeps hilariously ruining her experiments and she keeps coming up with new ones to try. Back matter includes the components of the scientific method and some suggested experiments for kids to try. Highly recommended!

[Gabriella Aldeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure fun! Full of spunk, questions (answers), and curious energy. Kids will love following Yara as she tries experiment after experiment only to have her dog eat her homework in hilarious ways. This is the perfect book for budding scientists, dog lovers, and for any kid (or adult) who needs to know that science begins with curiosity and determination.

[Alyssa Reynoso-Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK. As a science nerd, I loved this book. This book introduces the scientific method and words like observations and hypothesis, in such a great way for young readers. It combines humor and promotes being curious. I also love books with dogs so there is so much to love about this book. Congratulations Betsy!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yara and Renzo are a dynamic duo who give Eddie some competition in the science fair. They provide lots of experimentation and hilarious antics in their quest to claim first place. Yara is frustrated at first, but realizes that they really do make a great team. A fun way to introduce the scientific method with cute characters and an escalating plot.

[Susan]

Yara wants to win the Science Fair, beating her annoying neighbor Eddie. But her dog Renzo keeps interfering with her experiments . . . or does he? Through Betsy's Ellor's delightful text and Luisa era's boldly whimsical art, this book playfully explores the scientific method in a fun and kid-accessible way. NOTE: I received a copy via a giveaway with the author.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's title and cover grabbed my attention and it didn't disappoint me. I love how the author sprinkles in science terms and demonstrates the process of forming and testing a hypothesis through the main character's objective to win the science fair. Her dog adds humor and proves to be helpful in the end. The illustrations are colorful and great too.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've got me. I am absolutely 100% convinced, all dogs are scientists. And THANK YOU for writing a book about how scientists examine things in such a fun and easy to understand way. Wow, this is the book I wish I'd used with my kids when homeschooling them. They would have 'gotten' these concepts so much more easily then. Great book!

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a story with a good dog, and Yara’s dog Renzo is a good dog, even if he’s a bad scientist … or is he? Betsy Ellor and Luisa Vera have teamed up to create a great, goofy, fun way for kids to learn about the scientific method. Loved it.

[Laurie Carmody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is science dreary? Drab? NO! In this story, science is fast and fun! The pictures and text work together perfectly to create a story that will excite readers and inspire them to be scientists. After all, science doesn't have to be dull. It is everywhere!

[Monica Acker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this humorous STEM picture book all Yara wants is to win at the science expo but her dog keeps messing things up... or does he? Yara learns what it means to be a scientist and will have readers giggling along the way. Perfect for home or school.

[Alliah Agostini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun introduction to the scientific method! Check out this fun but thoughtful and inspiring read reminding readers that anyone can be a scientist! The author also has some great resources in her website to bring the book to life in the classroom.

[Tammy Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science + Dogs = Fun!!
Loved it.