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Asia Citro, M. Ed, is a former classroom science teacher with a Master's in Science Education. She is the author of 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, The Curious Kid's Science Book, A Little Bit of Dirt, and the Zoey and Sassafras chapter book series. She is also the creator of the popular blog Fun at Home with Kids. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, The Chicago Tribune, Today, Disney Baby, MSN, King 5 TV, and Highlights, among others.
The scientific method is put to good use when Zoey and her pet cat attempt to determine through trial and error the best ways to take care of various magical creatures. In this first book they need to figure out what to feed a baby dragon. There are plenty of false starts and even falser successes, and there's a lot to like. Any book that makes it clear that you need to work through mistakes is good in my book. --Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal (12/19/2017) This first book in a new early reader chapter book series is a fun blend of fantasy and real-world science. --A Mighty Girl blog (12/20/2017) Citro takes the 'girl helping animals' trope of beginning chapters to a whole new level. Filled with scientific language and experiments, including a helpful glossary, Zoey is encouraged to make mistakes, fail, and get up and keep trying. There's no lack of child appeal either; both boys and girls will delight in the magical creatures and brisk storytelling and will be eager to try some of their own scientific experimentation, even if they can't find a dragon! --Jennifer Wharton, Jean Little Library A New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2017 Pick Concepts are explained concisely and clearly, and a short glossary provides valuable vocabulary building. The slightly larger font makes the text inviting for emerging readers, and the illustrations blend perfectly into the story. Sassafras and the dragon prove to be able sidekicks in the vein of Disney characters...while this book is a natural fit for STEM collections, it deserves a place in all libraries serving young readers. -- School Library Journal .. .Citro gracefully balances her story's scientific and fantasy elements. -- Publishers Weekly .. .the imaginative premise and the incorporation of STEM elements make this an attractive and engaging choice. -- Booklist .. .tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are nice to see. -- Kirkus Reviews .. .a delightful beginning reader. I will definitely recommend this to kids and I look forward to the other books in this series. -- Mel Barnes, University Bookstore Zoey and Sassafras are our heroes! My kids love unravelling their mysterious circumstance, and they even made their own thinking goggles. Zoey is an awesome role model. -- Megan Lingo, Reading Teacher and Educational Therapist at Chickadee Lit Concepts are explained concisely and clearly, and a short glossary provides valuable vocabulary building. The slightly larger font makes the text inviting for emerging readers, and the illustrations blend perfectly into the story. Sassafras and the dragon prove to be able sidekicks in the vein of Disney characters...while this book is a natural fit for STEM collections, it deserves a place in all libraries serving young readers. -- School Library Journal .. .Citro gracefully balances her story's scientific and fantasy elements. -- Publishers Weekly .. .the imaginative premise and the incorporation of STEM elements make this an attractive and engaging choice. -- Booklist .. .tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are nice to see. -- Kirkus Reviews .. .a delightful beginning reader. I will definitely recommend this to kids and I look forward to the other books in this series. -- Mel Barnes, University Bookstore Zoey and Sassafras are our heroes! My kids love unravelling their mysterious circumstance, and they even made their own thinking goggles. Zoey is an awesome role model. -- Megan Lingo, Reading Teacher and Educational Therapist at Chickadee Lit
