Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands on Saturday. The editors of NEMO Kennislink investigated which popular science children's books are worth adding to the wish list. We will continue to add to the list in the coming weeks.
From four years
A very quick history of everything
The whole soup mess. The origin of the universe, the earth, people and the rest by Floor Bal and Sebastiaan van Doninck, Gottmer publishers discussed by Anne van Kessel, editor Biology
In The whole soup mess science journalist Floor Bal, together with illustrator Sebastiaan van Doninck, explains the entire history of the earth to toddlers. From the big bang to now. The drawings are beautiful, but explaining this subject to small children turns out to be quite difficult.
Read the full review of The whole mess
You are never too young for research
Ada Dapper, scientist of Andrea Beaty, publisher Nieuwezijds discussed by Renée Moezelaar, chemistry editor
Andrea Beaty tells the story of a curious girl with dozens of pressing questions. A smoothly written story for young children, with nice illustrations and also educational for parents.
Read the full review by Ada Dapper, scientist
From 5 years
To the center of the earth
The Ground beneath your feet by Charlotte Guillan and Yuval Zommer (translation Nannie Nieland-Weits), publisher Fontaine discussed by Marlies ter Voorde, editor Earth &Climate
What do you encounter when you descend from a city street to the center of the earth, and then travel on until you end up in a forest? You will find out in this very informative children's book with beautiful pictures.
Read the full review of The Ground beneath your feet
From 8 years
The nail and other cool inventions
A world full of discoveries by James Brown and Richard Platt (translation:Jesse Goossens), publisher Lemniscaat discussed by Esther Thole, editor Functional Molecular Systems
In the beautifully designed children's book A world full of discoveries you learn all about fantastic inventions that you encounter (almost) everywhere around you. The explanation in both the text and the illustrations is technically quite high and requires that a child can read well. But of course you can also read together.
Read the full review of A world of discoveries
Greek gods come alive
Greek heroes by Jet Manrho and others, publisher Stichting Autoped/ BoekieBoekie Rotterdam discussed by Marjolein Overmeer, editor of History
Does your child love stories, but find ordinary books boring quickly? Then Greek Heroes recommended. It is full of drawings, some of which were also made by children. They bring the stories of Greek gods and exciting adventures of heroes to life.
Read the full review of Greek Heroes
Questions about anything and everything
Why can't I feel the earth spinning? by James Doyle and Claire Goble (translation:Jesse Goossens), publisher Lemniscaat discussed by Esther Thole, editor Functional Molecular Systems
Question books are popular to tell children about the world around us. Why don't I feel the Earth spinning? fits well in that genre. But the questions sometimes seem a bit forced.
Read the full review of Why can't I feel the Earth spinning?
A bite of science every day
Young Scientist Science calendar by Kristel Kleijer, Joris Janssen, Jurriaan Gorter and others, publisher Veen Media discussed by Sanne Deurloo, editor in chief
It's not a book in the classic sense, but there's a lot to read and learn in the Young Scientist Science Calendar 2019. A fine collection of facts, experiments and jokes from all kinds of different fields.
Read the full review of the Young Scientist Science Calendar
A clock of shampoo
Technical activity book by Annemiek Kamp, Sanne Respen, Juke Loman, Florien de Brouwer and Frank Landsbergen, Nieuwezijds publishers discussed by Robert Visscher, editor Technique
With the Technical Activity Book make your own slippery slide, lightning-fast rocket or an illuminated mousetrap. This children's book teaches you a bit about how to work as an engineer.
Read the full review of Technique doeboek
from 9 years
Outstanding friendships in the animal kingdom
The Goby &the Shrimp, and Other Strange Friendships in the Animal Kingdom of Geert-Jan Roebers and Margot Westermann, Gottmer Publishers discussed by Anne van Kessel, editor Biology
The honeyfinder and the honey badger. The goby and the shrimp. And the dwarf mongoose and the tok. The animal kingdom has countless special friendships. Biologist Geert-Jan Roebers and illustrator Margot Westermann made a wonderful book about it.
Read the full review of The Goby &the Shrimp
Exciting exploration through your body
Professor Astrokat – Journey through your body by Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman, publisher de Eenhoorn discussed by Elles Lalieu, editor of Medical Sciences
Your body is one of the most intricate structures in the universe. Yet authors Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman manage to explain a lot about human anatomy in a playful way. The reader is literally taken on an exciting journey of discovery through the body.
Read the full review by Professor Astrokat
Why we behave the way we do
Between your ears by Ap Dijksterhuis and Madelijn Strick, publisher Prometheus discussed by Marloes van Amerom, editor of Society
How does falling in love work? Why is my boyfriend always so busy? Does more pocket money make you happy? If your child is curious about what lies behind our behavior, then this beautifully illustrated book is a must.
Read the full review of Between your ears
Through the history of Dutch
Blowfly swan by Arend van Dam , discussed by Erica Renckens, editor About taalspoken
How did Dutch originate? And how did this language end up in the most remote corners of the world? Arend van Dam takes you on a journey through the genesis of Dutch in Bromvliegzwaan. He brings various key figures to life in short stories.
Read the full review of Blomvliegen swan
Ten years and above
Ode to the crawling critters
Rotbeesten by Gemma Venhuizen, publisher Luijtingh-Sijthoff discussed by Anne van Kessel, editor Biology
From giant long-legged mosquitoes to fleas. Journalist Gemma Venhuizen is fond of insects and wrote an ode to these and other 'bad animals' in her first non-fiction children's book. The drawings by Tjarko van der Pol complete the great book.
Read the full review of Rotbeesten
Harrypotting math doesn't work
The Math of Stefan Buijsman and Govrien Oldenburger, publisher Luijtingh-Sijthoff discussed by Arnout Jaspers, editor mathematics
Shortly after each other, the still very young philosopher Stefan Buijsman published two books about 'the wonderful world of mathematics':Plus Minnen for adults and The Math for children. Both aim to make mathematics attractive to a target group that would be put off by 'boring formulas' and 'complicated calculations'. Unfortunately, both of these books miss the mark.
Read the full review of Plus Minus and The Math
Packed encyclopedia of animal facts
321 super smart things to know about animals from Mathilda Masters and Louize Perdieus, Lannoo Publishers discussed by Anne van Kessel, editor Biology
Otter mothers hold their cubs' hands as they sleep and smell snakes with their tongues. These are two of the many tidbits you will discover in the book 321 super smart things you need to know about animals, which by the way contains much more than 321 facts.
Read the full review of 321 super smart things to know about animals
Improve the climate, start with children
Palms on the North Pole – the big story of climate change by Mac ter Horst and Wendy Panders, publisher Gottmer discussed by Desiree Hoving, editor Sustainable Transitions
“Everyone is talking about climate change. But hardly anyone understands. You will, if you've read this book.” These simple words on the back of Palms at the North Pole are exemplary for the light-hearted and optimistic tone of Marc ter Horst's fifth non-fiction children's book.
Read the full review of Palms on the North Pole
Twelve years and above
To the Big Bang and back along mountains of snot
The mystery of nothing and endless snot by Jan Paul Schutten and Floor Rieder, Gottmer publishers discussed by Roel van der Heijden, editor Astronomy, Physics &Technology
The Big Bang, Dark Matter, Black Holes and the Multiverse:No Topics for Kids? After the first chapter ("3 reasons not to set this book on fire") of The mystery of nothing and endless snot follows a very complete – and thanks to illustrations by Floor Rieder a visually attractive – wonderful tour through the greatest mysteries of the universe.
Read the full review of The mystery of nothing and endless snot
Brain explained with humor
In my head – the wonderful world of the brain of Angelique Van Ombergen and Louize Perdieus, publisher Lannoo discussed by Mariska van Sprundel, editor Brain &Behavior
An informative book about the brain quickly becomes so dry. In the children's book In my head Author Angelique Van Ombergen and illustrator Louize Perdieus give color to our gray matter. They made a humorous textbook about the human brain twists.
Read the full review of In my head