There are so many paths ahead of young people — so many twists and turns, some chosen and some not. One of the great joys of youth is the sense of possibility. So many things could be, and musings about the wonderful future are the best sort of daydreams. For young readers who aspire to be artists, cooks, scientists, builders and creators: Here are some books to offer encouragement, inspiration, role models and possible futures.
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For the very youngest who aspire to a life in science (or whose parents aspire for them), two board books about everyday science, starring very cute babies, fit the bill. “Bath Time Physics” and “High Chair Chemistry,” both by Jill Esbaum and WonderLab Group, explore buoyancy, evaporation, viscosity and states of matter in the world of bath bubbles and goopy oatmeal (ages 1 through 3, MIT Kids Press, $8.99). There’s no guarantee they’ll get your kids into MIT, but they’ll definitely add a little scientific savor to daily (baby) life.
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Aspiring engineers and architects will be amazed by the humble origins and stunning applications of concrete in author Larissa Theule’s historical look at the combination of stone, sand, water and cement. In “Concrete: From the Ground Up,” Steve Light’s airy illustrations show the tremendous variety of forms this discovered, then forgotten, then rediscovered material can take (ages 7 through 10, Candlewick Press, $18.99).
Weekend Scoop
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And girls who need an extra boost to follow their dreams of making, building and creating will enjoy the pep talk of “A Girl Can Build Anything” by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller (ages 4 through 8, Viking, $18.99). The vivid collage illustrations by Keisha Morris include snippets of graph paper and rulers, as well as a diverse collection of young experimenters willing to “Rework and remake. Ask questions. Find answers.”
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Aspiring cooks will eat up the story of Virginia’s own Edna Lewis in “Chef Edna,” a moving biography of the “queen of Southern cooking” and recipient of the first James Beard Living Legend Award (ages 4 through 8, Harry N. Abrams, $18.99). Debut picture-book author Melvina Noel describes the mouth-watering food that brought the tastes of Freetown, Virginia, to New York City, as well as Lewis’ hard work, stunning personal style, and dedication to excellence that won her fame as a chef, cookbook author and advocate for Southern foodways. The book, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, closes with Chef Edna’s own biscuit recipe — a perfect jumping-off point for would-be cooks.
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Aspiring artists will find their horizons broadened and their eyes opened by “Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World,” a strikingly illustrated biography of the environmental artist duo responsible for some of the most famous and enigmatic art of the past 50 years (ages 6 through 9, Candlewick Press, $18.99). The poor Bulgarian refugee and the upper-class French rebel fell in love, then collaborated to create public art by wrapping up objects — from furniture to, eventually, entire buildings and islands — to turn overlooked parts of life into a sort of gift, “revealing — while concealing.” The book, by G. Neri and illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle, reflects the admiration and confusion the art provoked, and the excitement of doing something new: “People loved it or hated it. They got it or didn’t.” Young artists will be similarly challenged to conquer the world of art on their own terms.
Caroline Luzzatto has taught preschool and fourth grade. Reach her at luzzatto.bookworms@gmail.com