Inside: What does DNA stand for? I would never have thought I could find the answer in a picture book. “The Baby Biochemist-DNA” does an incredible job of nailing the important aspects of DNA structure. Primary kids even will understand what DNA does in their cells. They’ll get a jump-start on biology concepts they’ll learn more about in high school. I recommend this book for primary, middle school and high school kids. Its straight forward, simple but bang on explanation of cell structure down to the DNA level is also entertaining. The illustrations are fabulous. This is a must add to your book collection for any level of science teaching. *There are some affiliate links in this post. If you click I might make some coffee money at no cost to you
I am a sucker for super cute illustrations of difficult science concepts. What better way to teach harder science ideas than with a story that delivers the content in bite sized chunks. Margot Alesund has done that in spades! Her Baby Biochemist series rocks the world of biochemistry making it so simple even a baby could get it….well, maybe a 5 or 6 year old baby!
- Title: The Baby Biochemist: DNA
- Author: Margot Alesund
- Illustrator: Margot Alesund
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Date Published: 1 edition-Dec 1 2016
- Pages: 24
The Storyline of “The Baby Biochemist: DNA”
What does DNA stand for? Margot Alesund describes in a simple, unique way the need for DNA and the structure of DNA.
Formatted as a picture book, the text is easy to read. It is suitable for primary grades and above. Although there are “technical” words like ‘histones’, ‘DNA’ and ‘chromosomes’ young kids are like sponges, so they’ll soak in this new vocabulary. Even primary aged children will get a good feel for the meaning of these words. When they come across them in later years, they’ll pick up the concepts so much faster.
Alesund’s exceptionally cute illustrations that she created herself, leave little doubt about the meaning of these words. Check out those illustrations in her science stories found in Amazon here.
Introducing Science Ideas to the Very Young
“The Baby Biochemist: DNA” is a great way to introduce some complex science ideas to young children. This story tells and shows what DNA stands for. She begins with the bigger picture of the cell and winds down to the molecule level. Cells and molecules become cute characters in this non-fiction story. I was intrigued from beginning to end.
Is there a place for this book in the library of a middle or high school. I believe there is. “The Baby Biochemist:DNA is a fabulous way to introduce the topic to older kids too!
Simplifying Science
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” — Albert Einstein
Margot has excelled in that regard with this picture book.
Try This
In a high school setting, this book would be a perfect example for a task where students create their own picture book to show their understanding of a particular science concept.
So…What Does DNA Stand For?
So what does DNA stand for? I suggest you pick up a copy of “The Baby Biochemist:DNA” here and discover for yourself. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
Margot Alesund did not stop with DNA in creating science-rich picture books for the very young. Included in this post are links to other offerings in her “Baby Biochemist” series as well as her “Baby Medical School” series. I highly recommend you try out those as well. I will be adding them to my library in the very near future.
What Does DNA Stand For? Pinterest Activities and Experiments to Help Students Figure it Out
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried DNA science in your classroom or home school. Do you have a favorite activity or story to get kids pumped about DNA and genetics?
