Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished

February 15, 2017
How to find the peace and quiet needed for serious research? Use the scientific method! Having no place for scientific work in her crowded bunny household, even in the privy, Charlotte systematically sets out to solve the issue. Failures to make either her sibs vanish (hypothesis No. 1) or herself (hypothesis No. 2) lead to the next logical step, a proposition that in order to "get some space" she will have to "go there." Off she blasts in a homemade rocket that looks, in Farley's cartoon illustrations, remarkably like a carrot (detailed inside plans provided on the endpapers). She concludes, after carefully recording observations, that space is "splendid!" But it's also lonely--and with no rescue in earshot if the toilet paper runs out. Further tests and experiments end with a return to Earth, a warm welcome from her flop-eared, multicolored clan, and the satisfying conclusion that with the carrot-craft to serve as an occasional retreat, Charlotte doesn't need outer space, just "her own space." Andros closes with a step-by-step recap of her lab-coated lagomorph's efforts, with review questions, to let readers test their own understanding of this simplified version of the scientific method. Loads of charm methodically delivered. (Picture book. 6-8)

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June 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Young rabbit Charlotte considers herself a serious scientist, complete with a lab coat and goggles, a clipboard, and a healthy understanding of the scientific method. There's just one small detail holding her back: her large, rambunctious bunny family. Tired of being squished at the dinner table and finding her beloved beakers and test tubes accidentally broken, Charlotte hypothesizes, experiments, and observes her way to a solution: a carrot-shaped spaceship for one, of course. But when loneliness gets the best of her, it's "time for more experiments!" This picture book debut is a smart tale of familial frustrations and resulting ingenuity that's sure to resonate with makers and readers with their own share of pesky siblings. Farley's illustrations-done in charcoal, pencil, and ink on paper and colored digitally-are filled with humorous touches that invite repeat viewing (watch how Charlotte's bunny ears communicate her feelings). The use of pastel colors and black outlines adeptly mirrors the tone, light but not precious. Select pages include the appropriate step in the scientific method ("Step 2: Form a Hypothesis"), and cutaways to Charlotte's clipboard help to reinforce how the process works. An ending spread, "In the Lab with Charlotte," breaks down each step, with a reference to where it occurs in the story, making this title ideal for sharing one-on-one or with a small group. VERDICT Perfect for aspiring scientists and fans of Vera Brosgol's Leave Me Alone!-and a fine addition to picture book collections.-Della Farrell, School Library Journal

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