Science was never my thing growing up. However, maybe if I was exposed to/had more science based stories, that mixed effortlessly fact and fiction, I might have gotten into things more. The titles (both due January 2024 and read via online reader copies) Angela’s Glacier and Climbing the Volcano would be the first two I would want to read.
Jordan Scott’s Angela’s Glacier is a unique way of telling us to “stop and smell the glacier.” Or for most of us, to stop and smell the roses. It is a sweet story of family and connection and growing up. The connection the Angela character has with her environment is important to not just her physical health, but her mental health and her soul’s health. Delightfully dream-like illustrations, done by Diana Sudyka, accent and support the story, plus they are their own character as well. The two elements are both separate and together, like the idea of “man” and “nature.” Things are done in a more romantic tone, but bring in some facts as well.
And with Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku I can learn about volcanoes and the environment around them, while staying comfortable on my living room couch (since I ruined my favorite white pants on a hiking trip, I have not been a fan). Curtis Manley created haiku-like poems (unless I was reading them incorrectly the syllable count was off for some), and by grouping them together in the three line form and linking to each other in one large poem, we slowly walk up the volcano’s path, as the young narrator tells us what they see. And the seeing is created by illustrator Jennifer K. Mann. This artwork is sweet and the right details are used to support our story in a realistic but also slightly flowy way.