FROM BAM! TO BURP!

The life and history of the carbon atom.

Stewart and Álvarez Miguéns present their subjects as affable characters traveling through space and time, exploring the universe, and entering our bodies. In conversational, child-friendly language, the author defines an atom and explains how carbon atoms landed on Earth (the “BAM” of the title), rearranged themselves by joining with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, erupted from a volcano, and carried on to visit all of Earth. In one example, a carbon molecule travels through a tree leaf and joins up with oxygen and hydrogen molecules to form glucose. Eaten by a dinosaur, the carbon atom is later exhaled out into the atmosphere. Stewart digs up some fun places carbon atoms can be found, like a crab shell, a lump of coal, and even the maple syrup that smothers a stack of pancakes, which a brown-skinned child gobbles up, thereby ingesting many carbon atoms. The youngster gets a burst of energy and later emits the “BURP” of the title. Stewart’s extensive backmatter expands upon the nuts and bolts of carbon atoms, responding to questions such as “How much of my body is made of carbon?” or “Could a carbon atom that’s in my body now have spent time in a dinosaur?” Álvarez Miguéns’ digital illustrations depict the carbon atom with big, charming eyes and theatrically gesturing arms. She deftly spotlights the atoms as they travel and rearrange themselves.

A science tale told with pizzazz.