Oscar and the Bird: A Book About Electricity

The book fosters inferring since there are several cause and effect moments in the book being explained by Bird. Depending on how you read the book, I think it would be good for practicing scientific predicting. There are several good moments in the book where you can ask students how they thing electricity will work in relation to a specific illustration.

• Author: Geoff Waring
• Year Published: 2011
• ISBN: 0763653020

Science Topics

• Physical Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Kindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 3rd Grade

Summary

Oscar, a kitten, accidentally turns on the windshield wipers on a tractor and becomes curious about electricity. Luckily his friend, Bird, is there to help explain electricity to him. Oscar learns about how electricity works, some machines that use electricity, and a little bit about electricity safety.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: High
• Liteary Artistry: High
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

The book fosters inferring since there are several cause and effect moments in the book being explained by Bird. Depending on how you read the book, I think it would be good for practicing scientific predicting. There are several good moments in the book where you can ask students how they thing electricity will work in relation to a specific illustration.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

I think that Oscar speaks for the children in a way. He is the one who is curious and asking many questions. I can see children having the same questions that Oscar has throughout the book. The children might be so caught up in Oscar's questions that they may not stop to form their own.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book does not exactly encourage children to think for themselves. Oscar comes up with all of the questions so I feel like a child may think that he is covering them all and accept Bird's responses. It does not leave much room for children to consider their own thinking and pondering.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Electricity is addressed in a way that is appropriate to the lesson. Oscar is just as curious about electricity as a student would be. Rather than students coming up with their own wonderings, Oscar does that for them so I think that it is informational. If you are looking to have electricity addressed in a way that has children coming up with their own thinking, then I do not think this is the right book unless you skillfully choose stopping points in the book for discussion.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content presented in this book is accurate. It goes into detail about how electricity works in several machines. I also appreciate how it touches on electricity safety because I think it is content that should definitely be brought up with this subject.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book is definitely factual. The book is not so much of a storyline but more of a question and answer style book. Bird is like the teacher who states the facts to his young student, Oscar.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are clear and accurate. They give children the chance to connect the illustrations to the real life machines. They are simple, which I believe is great because there is not too much going on where it may overwhelm them. It even has illustrations of what circuits with certain machines look like. They are easy to follow and even have arrows for support.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

For young children, this is definitely a book that a grown-up would need to read to them. There are a good amount of words on each page and the child would have to be able to recognize when a character is speaking to comprehend the story. There is also some vocabulary that might be challenging for them such as "turbines."

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is not a multicultural component to the book and it is free from stereotyping. The only characters in the book are Oscar and Bird who are both animals in the book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book is free of gender bias. Oscar, the boy kitten, and Bird are not stereotyped. The machines in the book are also gender bias free because they are gender neutral items such as an iPod and batteries.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

The book is mostly focused on the science behind electricity. There is a small moment in the book when batteries are related to size (math) but other than that it is all science. A teacher may be able to relate it to writing after reading this book by having students write about how electricity works or how a machine uses electricity.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book presents a positive attitude toward science and technology. Throughout the book you can see Oscar's curiosity and happiness as he wonders about to the different machines.