Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, Abrams Books, 2016

This picture book is about the power of curiosity in the hands of a child who is on a mission to use science to understand her world. Ada spends the first 3 years not speaking; her first word is “Why?” Ada will forever question everything around her.

Young scientist, Ada, is a character of color, and has a boundless imagination. She asks the essential questions like, “Why are there pointy things stuck to a rose?” My favorite question is, “Why don’t we call it a granddaughter clock?”

Inspired by English mathematician, Ada Lovelace, and Polish physicist, Marie Curie, Ada Twist, Scientist champions girl power and women scientists. The artwork by British illustrator David Roberts is dynamic and adds to the empowering narrative by showing there is nothing wrong with asking questions. I feel that this is a perfect book to encourage all kids to be curious. This book is part of Beaty’s series which includes: Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect

Karen Kosko, Cambridge MA