The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) announced the release of four new NSTA Kids™ titles designed to build literacy skills and excite young readers and inspire real-world scientific thinking. This season’s collection of new children’s trade books includes Dear Ms. Guadalupe: Letters to My Librarian, The Perfect Planet, Too Much Quiet!, and Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist.

“These beautifully illustrated stories allow young readers to see themselves as scientists and make science and STEM content accessible, joyful and deeply engaging for young readers,” said Cathy Iammartino, NSTA Chief Product Officer. “Whether you’re looking to spark curiosity at home or enrich learning in the classroom, these children’s books are the perfect gift for the holiday season and beyond.”

Dear Ms. Guadalupe: Letters to My Librarian—written by Patricia Vermillion for students in grades 2–3—follows an inquisitive second grader whose heartfelt letters to her school librarian invite young learners into the fascinating world of the Technosaurus and the real scientific work of paleontologist Dr. Sankar Chatterjee. Along the way, children also learn the fundamentals of proper letter formatting, making the story both engaging and instructional. This charming book celebrates curiosity, the power of questions, and the essential role librarians play in nurturing young minds.

The Perfect Planet—recently selected for the Children’s Book Council’s (CBC) November Hot Off the Press list—is written for students in grades 1–4. Author Suzanne Slade, a mechanical engineer who worked on rockets and has written 200 children’s books, takes young readers on a journey across the universe as two space explorers search for the “perfect planet.” As they visit remarkable exoplanets and discover what makes Earth unique and special, readers are treated to an imaginative and visually engaging adventure.

Set for release in late December, Too Much Quiet!—written by Kottie Christie-Blick and named to the CBC’s December Hot Off the Press list—allows young learners to discover how science can inspire action. Its unique visual approach, combining black-and-white photographs with vivid illustrations, enhances the story as Patsy-Beth and her younger brother, Jay, explore cause-and-effect relationships, human impacts on Earth’s systems, and what animals need to survive. Developed to encourage real-world science understanding, while blending scientific thinking with creativity and compassion, Too Much Quiet! is an ideal resource for early elementary classrooms studying life science.

In January 2026, the inspiring biography Shell Seeker: The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist—written by Suzanne Sherman—will be released. Geared toward students in grades 3–5, this picture book tells the extraordinary story of evolutionary scientist Dr. Geerat Vermeij. Readers follow Geerat’s adventures—from tide pools to college classrooms—while learning how science is genuinely practiced through careful observation, creativity, and a passion for discovery and by engaging with science through storytelling, inquiry, and hands-on activities.

Brimming with imagination, scientific discovery, and beautifully crafted storytelling, these titles offer meaningful ways for children to explore the world around them both inside and beyond the classroom. All books are available now or for preorder through the NSTA Bookstore at https://portal.nsta.org/bookstore.

About NSTA Kids™

NSTA Kids™ fills the needs of both adults and children by providing lively children’s picture books that connect reading, the power of play, and building critical thinking skills through STEM and science concepts. Engaging narratives and bold, bright graphics seamlessly blend literacy and STEM and help make science fun and encourage children to curl up with a good book and keep asking, “Why?”

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators can grow professionally and excel in their careers. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit https://www.nsta.org/, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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“These beautifully illustrated stories allow young readers to see themselves as scientists and make science and STEM content accessible, joyful and deeply engaging for young readers,” said Cathy Iammartino, NSTA Chief Product Officer.