Jessica Fries-Gaither—Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions

Advance copy: Backstories on books by NASW members

Cover of the book Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions showing the title and author’s name in black over a rose-colored background with science symbols and a hand holding a magnifying glass over the word “questions.
WILD WONDERINGS:
SCIENTISTS AND THEIR QUESTIONS
Jessica Fries-Gaither
NSTA Kids, November 28, 2024
Paperback, $19.99, eBook, $19.99
Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1681409597
eBook ISBN 978-168140962-7
Reading age: 3-5 years

Fries-Gaither reports:

As a veteran science teacher, I believe that helping students build scientific identities is as important as teaching them content. Children need to see people who look like they do engaging in scientific practices, and to make connections between the science they do at school and the work of scientists.

This belief prompted me to write Wild Wonderings and my two previously published books in the series, Notable Notebooks and Exemplary Evidence. In each of these books, I present a diverse group of scientists, both historical and contemporary, and introduce students to their work through a unifying science practice: keeping a science notebook, collecting and analyzing data, and asking and answering questions.

Portrait photo of Jessica Fries-Gaither in an outdoor setting.
I began work on this manuscript by identifying scientists who asked compelling questions that would be accessible to elementary-aged children. I also noted the time period of each scientist, their sex, and their ethnic background.

While I was off to a good start, I inevitably ran into gaps in my knowledge. Were there any scientists from ancient times that I could feature? What about differently-abled scientists? Did this new group of scientists complement the ones presented in my first two books in the series? Much of my research focused on discovering new scientists and the types of questions they asked.

Since I had an existing relationship with NSTA Kids, the National Science Teaching Association’s publishing arm, selling this piece was not difficult. The manuscript was under contract before the pandemic, but it was delayed for several years. When I learned that NSTA would be moving forward with publication, my first step was to read and revise the text. I’ve grown as a writer since I first sold the manuscript, and the book is stronger now.

I also had an existing relationship with Linda Olliver, the illustrator for my two previous books in the series. As it was our third book together, I was able to be more involved in the illustration process than is typical for a children’s book author. Linda’s work brings the wonder of science to life in a way that my words alone cannot.

Contact info:

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Banner image adapted from original photo by Jessica Fries-Gaither.

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Advance Copy

The path from idea to book may take myriad routes. The Advance Copy column, started in 2000 by NASW volunteer book editor Lynne Lamberg, features NASW authors telling the stories behind their books. Authors are asked to report how they got their idea, honed it into a proposal, found an agent and a publisher, funded and conducted their research, and organized their writing process. They also are asked to share what they wish they’d known when they started or would do differently next time, and what advice they can offer aspiring authors. Lamberg edits the authors’ answers to produce the Advance Copy reports.

NASW members: Will your book be published soon? Visit www.nasw.org/advance-copy-submission-guidelines for information on submitting your report.

Publication of NASW author reports in Advance Copy does not constitute NASW's endorsement of any publication or the ideas, values, or material contained within or espoused by authors or their books. We hope this column stimulates productive discussions on important topics now and in the future as both science and societies progress. We welcome your discussion in the comments section below.

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