Scientists in Picture Books

[José]

Hi! I am interested in social perception of science and children literature. I am researching now picture books to find how scientists are depicted (white old men with glasses and a lab coat?) Could you help me? Is there any scientist (mad or not!) in your picture books? Thanks a lot for your help.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

I would look in the topic section of the picture book club, as I know we have covered themes of ecology, rainforests and such.

One of the books we covered for the rainforest topic definitely does not deal with a white old man in a lab coat, but is the story of a woman who does on site research in South America, in the rain forest, The Most Beautiful Roof in the World: Exploring the Rainforest Canopy.

[José]

I understand it is illustrated by photographs, right? I am trying to see mostly in drawings where there is more subjectivity. I thank you for your kind and fast answer.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

José wrote: "I understand it is illustrated by photographs, right? I am trying to see mostly in drawings where there is more subjectivity. I thank you for your kind and fast answer."

This one does have photographs, but there are many picture books that do show drawings of more than old white men in a lab coat.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

In fact, I would say that current illustrators are fighting that stereotype to the other extreme. I'd have to check, but I have a distinct impression that the most common drawing is of a young black woman!

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Cheryl wrote: "In fact, I would say that current illustrators are fighting that stereotype to the other extreme. I'd have to check, but I have a distinct impression that the most common drawing is of a young blac..."

Kind of annoying how it seems to go from one extreme to the other ...

[Chris]

I've only had one scientist in a book so far, and he was a child in a lab coat with goggles always under his spiky hair. I thought it would be a stronger connection to my readers if he was young as they could see themselves in the scientist. He builds a zoo out of rubbish he finds washed up on the beach and then brings it all to life - you can see what he looks like here.

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

Here are 3 books, 1 with a black inventor and 2 women scientists:

Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark

A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss by Toni Buzzeo

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

I think the OP is looking for fiction, as he uses the words 'literature' and 'subjectivity.' But good point that diverse non-fiction is available, too!

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

OK. He asked about picture books but did not specify fiction; and these three biographies are definitely picture books.

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

In most of the fictional picture books that I can think of, the "scientist" or "inventor" is a child; sometimes a girl, sometimes a boy; but rarely an adult.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Good points. Wish he'd come back and let us know if our comments have helped him at all.

[José]

Thanks, Beverly. I am building a database of all the children's books (fiction and non-fiction) that depict a scientist. I would greatly appreciate if you or any reader can send me pictures of the scientist and the book. Thanks a lot for the help!

[José]

Your comments are a real help. I try to locate as many picture books with scientists as possible to have a real perspective. Thanks for suggestions for this search. Best!

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

José wrote: "Thanks, Beverly. I am building a database of all the children's books (fiction and non-fiction) that depict a scientist. I would greatly appreciate if you or any reader can send me pictures of the ..."

If you click on the links in my message, #8, above, you will see an image of the book cover, and in each case, there is an illustration of the scientist on the book cover.

[Justine]

José wrote: "Your comments are a real help. I try to locate as many picture books with scientists as possible to have a real perspective. Thanks for suggestions for this search. Best!"

Can you update us when you have compiled the list, Jose? It will be a useful list.

[QNPoohBear]

In the local bookstore and here on GR, I've seen a book called Ada Twist, Scientist
There are some recommended at A Mighty Girl