Charming STEM Beginning Chapter Book Series: Zoey and Sassafras

You’re going to LOVE this charming STEM beginning chapter book series called Zoey and Sassasfras! Seriously. Love it. It’s written by former science teacher, Asia Citro, and illustrated by Marion Lindsay with a total of three books so far. It’s entertaining and well-written with the coolest mix of science and magic, a diverse main character, and fantastic illustrations. This series is perfect for independent reading or reading together.

Zoey learns that like her scientist mother, she can see magical creatures. She also learns that her mother helps injured creatures. When her mom leaves town, Zoey listens for the special doorbell that indicates a magical animal needs her help. (With the help of her cutie cat named Sassafras.)

Soon, a tiny, sick dragon shows up. Zoey grabs her helpful Thinking Goggles that help her, well, think. She starts by comparing the dragon to other reptiles she knows like snakes. Then she wonders what dragons like to eat.

In her science journal, Zoey writes her question with her hypothesis, that dragons might like to eat: worms, apple slices, eggs, cheese, marshmallows, cereal, or a granola bar. She guesses that the dragon will like to eat worms best, then carefully tries out each food using the same steps. As she does, she observes what happens (dragons do not like cereal!). The image below shows her step by step method.

It’s impressive how seamlessly Citro incorporates this STEM information into the story — kids won’t even notice they’re learning something!

Zoey learns that the dragon likes Marshmallows so that’s what Zoey names him.

But the next day, Zoey discovers that Marshmallow isn’t doing well. Luckily Sassafras is curled around him to keep him warm because Zoey realizes that reptiles are cold-blooded and she forgot to provide heat.

Once Zoey solves the heat problem, she notices Marshmallow still isn’t feeling well.

Her dad reminds her that one time she got a tummy ache from eating too many marshmallows. Zoey reads more about reptiles and experiments again to determine if her dragon is a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore so she can help him eat and feel better.

The story ends with Zoey’s mother returning from her trip, the dragon getting better, and the dragon going back into the wild.

Download this free printable Scientific Method sheet for your kids to do their own experiments! Maybe if they look hard enough, they can find a dragon, too? (Just click on the image below to download the sheet.)

Kids will zip through this fabulous STEM beginning chapter book series because it’s entertaining and engaging. Not only will they be practicing their reading skills, they’ll be learning something about science as they read.

Read a free sample of Zoey and Sassasfras Dragons and Marshmallows here.

Don’t you love it?

Here are all the beginning chapter books in the series thus far:

Zoey and Sassafras Dragons and Marshmallows #1

Zoey and Sassafras Monsters and Mold #2

Zoey and Sassafras Merhorses and Bubbles #3

I HIGHLY recommend all the books in this STEM science and magic beginning chapter book series!

See more books from Innovation Press. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Zoey and Sassafras has been added to these master lists:
Best Books for 7-Year Olds
Best Books for 8-Year Olds
Beginning Chapter Books with Diverse Main Characters 
Best STEM Chapter Books for Kids

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy of book #1 and liked it so much I bought #2 and #3 myself. 

 

 

ALSO READ: 

STEM Chapter Books for Kids

STEM (SCIENCE / MATH / TECH / ENGINEERING) TOYS & GIFTS
Giving STEM gifts for Christmas or any other holiday serves two purposes — first, these are fun gifts kids want, and second, these are learning gifts, too.

BOOK SERIES:

1st Grade Books in a Series

2nd Grade Books in a Series

3rd Grade Books in a Series

4th Grade Books in a Series

5th Grade Books in a Series

6th Grade Books in a Series

7th Grade Books in a Series