Picture books and professional journals can lead children through inquiry and investigation. The natural process of how living things grow, change, have needs, and follow predictable patterns can be used to develop children’s background knowledge. For this assignment, you will select, describe, and evaluate two appropriate picture books, one fiction, and one non-fiction, based on your selected topic from Unit 1. You will also discuss the benefits of using picture books in early childhood science instruction. 

 Overview: Picture books and professional journals can lead children through inquiry and  investigation. The natural process of how living things grow, change, have needs, and  follow predictable patterns can be used to develop children’s background knowledge.  For this assignment, you will select, describe, and evaluate two appropriate picture  books, one fiction and one non-fiction, based on your selected topic from Unit 1. You  will also discuss the benefits of using picture books in early childhood science  instruction.  Instructions: 1. Select Two Picture Books • Use the Unit 2 optional resources for early childhood book lists, reviews and  recommendations, as well as online book stores to look for picture books. • Select two picture books appropriate to preschool-aged children that you can  use to teach your selected topic. One of your selected books should be fiction  and the other book should be non-fiction. • To prepare for writing descriptions of your selected books: o Research and read one review for each book. Write the complete  bibliographical information for both reviews. You will need to cite them in  your assignment. o Review the six criteria for evaluating books used by the NSTA and  Children’s Book Council (found in Chapter 2 of Royce, C. A., Morgan, E.  R., & Ansberry, K. R. (2012). Teaching science through trade books. NSTA Press.). You will apply a selection of these criteria in your written  description of each book.  ▪ The book has substantial science content. ▪ Information is clear, accurate, and up-to-date. ▪ Theories and facts are clearly distinguished. CHS250 – STEM in the Early  Childhood Education Classroom Unit 2 Assignment: Picture Books ▪ Facts are not oversimplified so that the information is  misleading. ▪ Generalizations are supported by facts and significant facts are  not omitted. ▪ Books are free of gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic bias. 2. Describe and Evaluate Picture Book Selections Write a description of each book that includes all of the following elements: o Topic: List your selected topic (from Unit 1). o Citations: Provide a citation for each of your picture book selections and  book reviews in APA 7 format. o Book Features: Describe the features of each book. Examples: Are there  illustrations, or graphic aids, and what kind? Is there text? Are there charts or diagrams? Is there a table of contents or index? Explain specific  features of each book that appeal to you for teaching children.  o Book Evaluation: Select three (3) of the six criteria used by the NSTA and  Children’s Book Council to evaluate your book selections. You may use  the same three criteria for each book or select different criteria from the six  listed. Make sure to note the criteria and provide brief remarks on your  findings for each. You may find that your book selection does not meet or  only partially meets the evaluation criteria you selected.  o Selected Topic Connection: Explain why you chose each book for your  topic? Provide two specific examples that illustrate the links between the  books and your topic (one example for each book) o Effectiveness of Picture Books: Summarize, in your own words, why  picture books are so effective for teaching young children science.  Requirements: • Submit a Word document in APA 7 format (with Title Page and Reference Page). • Minimum two (2) pages in length, excluding Title and Reference pages. Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before  you write and again after you write.