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You Need to Read: Frankenstein's Monster

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The monster created by scientist Victor Frankenstein in author Mary Shelley's classic work may just be fiction, however I'm of the opinion that if he really was  A-L-I-V-E, he'd want to understand more of how Frankenstein created him. Thus, finally being able to achieve his wish of having a bride and companion just like him:

To help Frankenstein's monster gain a solid foundation in scientific history so that he too can become a genetic engineer - 

Written by Freya Hardy
Illustrated by Sara Mulvanny
London: Ivy Kids, an imprint of Quarto Group, 2019. Informational. 80 pages. 

The Book of Big Science Ideas starts out each "big idea" by offering a succinct explanation, then continues by introducing influential thinkers within each discussed topic. Topics include such established scientific fields as: electricity, the periodic table of elements, and the solar system. It then moves forward to briefly introduce current experimental ideas such as artificial intelligence and sustaining life on Mars. An included timeline of big scientific ideas and a glossary of scientific terms are helpful tools for the budding scientists of tomorrow. 

When Frankenstein's monster is ready to blaze new trails and needs inspiration for his own monstrous creations, bride or otherwise - 


Invented by Animals: Meet the Creatures Who Inspired Our Everyday Technology
Written by Christiane Dorion 
Illustrated by Gosia Herba
Minneapolis, MN: Wide Eyed Editions, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 2021. Informational. 75 pages.

Written from the perspective of each "animal inventor," Invented by Animals provides an interesting look at how our animal friends have inspired present day technologies, as well as what future technologies are currently being developed. Animals such as the blue morpho butterfly whose light manipulation techniques could someday be used to help humans add color to textiles without use of harmful chemicals. 

To power his monstrous bride, Frankenstein's monster will need to understand how electricity works - 

Let's Investigate Electricity
Written by Jacqui Bailey
Illustrated by Ed Myer
New York, NY: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2021. Informational. 32 pages. 

An introductory look at basic electricity questions, such as: how batteries function, how to make static electricity, and how circuits function. Included with each topic is a basic experiment to reinforce the reader's learning. 

When Frankenstein's monster wants to revisit his origin story - 

Frankenstein: The Illustrated Just-For-Kids Edition
By Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Margaret Novak, and Maite Schmitt
Kennebunkport, ME: Whalen Book Works, 2021. Fiction. 111 pages. 

A simplified version with illustrations of Mary Shelley's classic horror story about a scientist who discovers the secret to building life and the monster he creates.
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