Water is Water

This book certainly will foster development of processes, specifically in science. The book tells the story of the water cycle in a creative way. Students will be able to connect with this with their prior experiences, which will help them to understand the overall lesson of this book--the water cycle.

• Author: Miranda Paul
• Illustrator: Jason Chin
• Year Published: 2015
• ISBN: 978-1-59643-984-9

Science Topics

• Earth Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 4th Grade

Summary

Written in a rhyming pattern, this book follows a group of kids as they move through each phase of the water cycle, from ice to steam to snow melting in the spring. The last four pages gives the readers further information about water, using examples from the story.

Evaluation

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

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book certainly will foster development of processes, specifically in science. The book tells the story of the water cycle in a creative way. Students will be able to connect with this with their prior experiences, which will help them to understand the overall lesson of this book--the water cycle.

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

This book provides an opportunity for children to ask questions throughout the entire story. It is written in a format that leaves the reader with a question at the end of every page. For example, it says, "Water is water unless..." and the next page will give the answer. However, this would be a good place to stop and have students ask their questions, which would then be answered on the next page.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book allows for students to think for themselves. The author never explicitly says what phase of the water cycle is happening in the story. This allows the students to think about it on their own, developing their own ideas about what phase is happening at a particular point in the story.

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

The scientific topic--the water cycle-- is addressed in a way that is very appropriate for kids. It is written in a way that kids will be able to understand and connect with, as the story follows a group of kids experiencing the water cycle, something we do everyday without really realizing it. This book is written in a creative way that is appropriate and beneficial to kids learning about the water cycle.

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

This book is certainly accurate. However, it is written in an unconventional way. Most books about the water cycle are "matter of fact". This is written in a fictional story, without ever explicitly mentioning which phase of the water cycle the kids are in. Nonetheless, it is still presenting accurate information that is useful to kids to support them when learning about the water cycle.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book tells a fictional story, but uses factual information about the water cycle. At the end of the story, there are four pages that tells more about water, using facts. However, there is a clear distinction between what is fact and what is fiction.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations in this story are absolutely beautiful, depicting exactly what is going on in the story. They are clear and detailed, providing readers with great visual depictions of exactly what phase of the water cycle is happening. The illustrations truly benefit the readers by giving them a visual to look at while reading.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This book would be best for a second or third grade classroom. This book would be a great tool to use as an introduction of a lesson for the water cycle, before introducing actual terms.

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

The only multicultural component that this book has is that some of the kids are colored and come from different heritages. However, I believe that this makes it free from stereotyping. There is no bias towards a particular culture or race.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book does not have a gender bias. It is unbiased towards both genders. Nowhere in the book can I see that this story is geared more towards one gender over the other.

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

I would say that this book is pretty much strictly a science related book. There is no evidence of math, language arts or social studies in this story. However, I do believe that the book teaches a lesson about the water cycle very well.

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

This book puts the water cycle into an everyday perspective. This is something that students will definitely be able to relate to. It presents a positive, interesting and creative attitude toward the science lesson it is aiming to teach. It is a feel good book and will leave students having learned something.