In this episode of Rosie Reads, we’re reading Ada Twist, Scientist! The book was written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, and published in 2016.

Miss Lyla Greer’s classroom is full of bright, curious, and creative kids and Ada Marie Twist is no exception (Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck from other notable Andrea Beaty books are Ada’s classmates!). Her mind is constantly whirling with questions: why does a clock tick and how does a lightbulb work? In her quest to answer these questions, Ada often finds herself in messy and sometimes dangerous predicaments. But ultimately she discovers how hypotheses can help, and her questions become the beginnings of scientific inquiry!

When you’re finished reading Ada Twist, Scientist, ask kids these comprehension questions:

  • What is a hypothesis and how does Ada Twist make them?
  • What is a scientist, and what do they do?
  • Where is the stinky smell coming from that Ada investigates throughout the book?

For our Rosie Reads activity, explore why asking “why” is central to being a successful scientist! As a follow-up to the reading comprehension questions listed above, ask kids to draw a scientist and what they do. Take the discussion further by asking how the world has changed and benefitted from scientific discoveries. How do hypotheses work and make scientific advancement applicable to our everyday lives?