The Art of Science
It is easy to think of art and science as separate realms. Art is often associated with creativity. It taps into our emotions and allows us to look beyond the concrete world around us and into our imaginations. Science, by contrast, is commonly linked to logic. It seeks to understand the tangible world through structured methods, rules and observations.
And yet, the two are far more connected than they may seem. Beautiful artistry exists in the natural world and is inspired by it. One striking example that comes to mind is the Fibonacci sequence. Fibonacci numbers are part of a sequence in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34…). When visualized a certain way they create a spiral pattern that is often found in the natural world – seen in seashells, the arrangement of flower petals, and in works of art. If you’d like to learn more about the Fibonacci sequence, check out Do Plants Know Math?: Unwinding the Story of Plant Spirals, from Leonardo da Vinci to Now by Stéphan Douady.
While Fibonacci is one example, it highlights how intertwined science and art can be – often in ways that are hard to quantify. This connection is especially evident in children’s science books today. I’m happy to say that our children’s science collection is filled with titles that not only share compelling information about the natural world but are also visually stunning. Authors and artists have collaborated to create educational works of art. And, in some cases, the author is the artist. This concept is not new, but seems to be becoming more and more common. Many of our recently acquired titles even have beautiful covers, with shiny inlays and a textured feel.
One thing that I love about these books is their broad appeal across age groups. Even children who can’t yet read all the words or who have a shorter attention span can happily flip through the pages enjoying the illustrations. Many also combine a simple text with more detailed informational sidebars, making them engaging for various age groups. For children who may not initially gravitate toward science, captivating artwork can spark curiosity and open the door to new interests. Adults too, who may not be inclined to pick up a heavy book about science, might learn something interesting while flipping through these books and enjoying the illustrations. I certainly appreciate them myself!
Pick up one of the titles below to tap into your child’s (or your own!) scientific AND artistic mind. And remember, this is just a small sampling of the selection of beautiful science books available in the Mercer County Library System. Visit your local branch and browse the shelves – you’ll find most of these treasures in the J 500s.
By Steve Jenkins
Steve Jenkins has actually been making cool art for science books for a long time. Actual Size, one of his earlier titles, is still a favorite of mine. This book features his eye-catching, signature cut-paper collages. In this case they showcase various animals or animal parts at their - you guessed it – actual size.
For our youngest scientists, this first encyclopedia introduces a wide array of concepts paired with photographs and over 250 Eric Carle illustrations. Pairing Carle’s familiar and beloved art with these concepts is a great way to get young minds introduced to nonfiction reading.
By Katy Wiedemann and Jennifer Z. Paxton
Anatomicum is just one book in the “Welcome to the Museum” series. Opening each oversized book is like entering a museum exhibit on that topic. Open this one to learn all about the human body and to enjoy the stunning illustrations by Katy Wiedemann. Other titles in the series include Animalium, Botanicum, Dinosaurium, Fungarium, Historium and more.
By Jess French
With gold inlay on the covers, gilded page edges and close-up photography paired with simple, yet beautiful illustrations, the DK Anthologies series are works of art from cover to cover. This title provides easily digested information about more than 90 bugs, but it’s the photography that really stands out to me. Get ready to get up close and personal with these colorful critters! Other titles feature animals, birds, fossils, rocks, dinosaurs and more. And stay excited because upcoming titles include micro life and flowers!
By Dianna Aston and Sylva Long
I have been using this book in my story time programs for years. Kids are always fascinated to learn about how many different kinds of eggs there are (they’re not all ovals – look up shark eggs!) and the gorgeous illustrations make them memorable. I also love that I can read the simple text for young children, but older kids can dive into the more detailed information in the smaller spaces. Also check out A Seed is Sleepy, A Butterfly is Patient, A Nest is Noisy and A Rock is Lively.
By Kate Messner with art by Christopher Silas Neal
This book is short enough to be a good read-aloud and filled with bright, charming illustrations of flora and fauna found both above and below ground, making it a great introduction to biodiversity for the youngest readers. At the end, more information is provided about the plants and animals featured. Check out the rest of the series to find out what’s over and under in the dirt, the canyon, the waves, the pond and more.
By Matt Sewell
This encyclopedia of birds, arranged by continent, contains short, but fascinating descriptions of a huge variety of birds. It also features watercolor illustrations of each bird. The bright colors and large, shining eyes on the birds makes them extra adorable. Birds have never been so cute!
Edited by Christopher Lloyd
This single-volume encyclopedia contains short blurbs on a huge variety of topics. Each page is highly illustrated with a combination of photographs, artwork and infographics, making this perfect browsing material for curious kids – or adults. For similar science fun, check out Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica.
By Barbara Taylor, illustrated by Stephen Collins
This title is a little sillier than the others on the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not packed with dino facts! This book describes several types of dinosaurs and gives each on an award, such as “the humongous horns award” and “the speedy racer award”. The colorful, cartoon-like illustrations throughout add even more fun to the mix.
Even more titles include:
Evolution: A Celebration of Beautiful Animals by William Spring
100 Endangered Species by Rachel Hudson
Eatopedia: The World of Animal Digestion by Aina Bestard
Bugs of the World: 250 Creepy Crawly Creatures from Around Planet Earth by Francesco Tomasinelli, illustrations by Yumenokaori
Animal Sidekicks: Amazing Stories of Symbiosis in Animals and Plants by Macken Murphy, illustrated by Dragan Kordić
The Moon by Hannah Pang, illustrated by Thomas Hegbrook
Ancient Rome: From Everyday Life to an Emperor’s Life (DK) – Including this one to show that great illustrations in nonfiction can go beyond science titles!
Nature Explained: A Family Guide to 20 Nature Cycles by Helen Brown and Claire Scully
The Stuff that Stuff is Made Of by Jonathan Drori, illustrated by Raxenne Maniquiz & Jiatong Liu
— Christine, Lawrence Branch
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