Derting, Kimberly and Shelli R. Johannes. Vivi Loves Science: Sink or Float Joelle Murray, Illus. Easy Reader. Loves Science Series; bk. 3. Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 02/2022. 40pp. $16.99. 978-0-06-311657-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 1-3.
In this spin-off from the Loves Science picture book series that features female protagonists, a Black girl named Vivi wants to be a marine biologist and visits the aquarium on a class field trip. There is considerable information on different ocean creatures, and the story ends with Vivi making a swim bladder using a balloon (instructions for the experiment are at the end of the book). The text is featured in four to six lines per page, a good choice for children who have moved up from beginning reader books but are not quite ready for transitional chapter books. The full-color illustrations resemble Disney animation artwork and depict most of the students and teachers with black hair and different shades of brown skin, although racial identity is not mentioned. Both the focus on science and the ethnic diversity representation are great features to add to the easy reader shelves of all libraries.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool