Children's Science Book Database

Rainbow Stew

The story moves in a sequential order: first, the kids have a problem, then they figure out a solution. They collect plants from the garden, then they cook them. Then they wait for them to cook, and finally they eat stew. This keeping track of order of events is definitely a a developmental concept that students must learn. Also in the story, there are multiple opportunities for the reader to practice making inferences, predictions, and figure out new vocabulary with context clues.
  • Author: Cathryn Falwell
  • Illustrator: Cathryn Falwell
  • Year Published: 2013
  • ISBN: 9781600608476

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

Summary

3 kids visit their grandfather for the weekend. When the weather is too rainy and muddy for them to play outside, they instead collect a variety of vegetables from the garden, and cook up a stew.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

The story moves in a sequential order: first, the kids have a problem, then they figure out a solution. They collect plants from the garden, then they cook them. Then they wait for them to cook, and finally they eat stew. This keeping track of order of events is definitely a a developmental concept that students must learn. Also in the story, there are multiple opportunities for the reader to practice making inferences, predictions, and figure out new vocabulary with context clues.

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

At a couple of different points, the reader can make inferences and predictions about what "Rainbow stew" is, as well as other questions presented in the story. Context gives the reader clues about what will happen next, and the reader will either be proven correct, or not, as they continue to read in the coming pages.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I would say that this book does encourage independent thinking. In this particular story, the characters made a stew of the vegetables, but what are some other things that you would be able to cook with some of the same ingredients? What other types of plants are edible (fruits)? How else do we utilize different plants? In this book , the vegetables are all grown in a home garden- where do the vegetables come from that we would find in a grocery store? This book allows students to come up with lots of questions and answers that go beyond the story.

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

Yes, the book addresses gardening and cooking in ways that would be appropriate for nay lesson that has to do with either gardening or cooking. The book talks about all of the different edible plants you can grow and where you would find them, such as tomatoes on a vine, and potatoes underground. From there, the subject has to do with cooking principles such as boiling and steaming vegetables with hot water.

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

Yes, the content of the story is all about growing plants and eating the vegetables that grow from them after cooking them and preparing them for consumption. Everything that happens in the story is something that could really happen. The illustrations, descriptions, and explanations are all thorough and accurate.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This is a fiction story, told by a narrator. However everything that happens in the story is based on factual occurrences in nature. Plants really do grow as they did in this story, and many produce leaves or fruits that humans cook and consume. I wouldn't necessarily say that the book distinguishes the differences between fact and fiction, but it would be up to the teacher to let the students know that everything that happens in the story could really happen.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are both clear and accurate. All of the pictures are drawings, but they are well-done and depicted realistically. For instance, on the leaves, you can see that the illustrator drew veins, and the shape and stockiness of the tomato plants is very accurate.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this book would be appropriate for my second grade class.  They would be able to relate to the plot of the story- finding something fun to do on a rainy day- and while the events that happen are ones to which they could relate, I know that there are a few vocabulary words that would require discussion.

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

The characters depicted in the story are Black, so we do see a multicultural component to the story. There are no incidents of negative stereotyping; the story depicts the family as an everyday group of kids having fun with their grandpa.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, the story is about 2 boys and their sister all playing together. There is no gender bias shown at any point throughout the story.

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

The book shows a relationship between different components of science, those being growing plants, and cooking them for food. However, there is no association shown between science and any other separate disciplines, such as math or writing.

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

No technology is presented in this book, so the attitude towards this idea is neutral.