This was a unique book and I really enjoyed the fact that it looked at pockets. I've never really thought about pockets having a story to tell, but this really brings to light the fact that what's in your pocket can tell a lot about you.

This picture book introduces young readers to 'nine budding scientists whose outdoor play led to an lifelong passion.'

The author asks young readers 'Where will nature's treasures lead you?', while also reminding them how to collect responsibly and safely.

Books that talk about pockets are always fun for kids. This books is no exception! Love this book! I am sure that children of all age groups would love this book.

In this delightful non-fiction picture book, nine scientists are seen first as children, then as adults, showing how their youthful curiosity blossomed into their later achievements. George Washington Carver, William Beebe, Jane Goodall, Charles Darwin, Meg Lowman, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Mary Anning, Bonnie Lei, and Maria Sibylla Merian are featured. On many spreads, there is a sentence in large font to be read aloud, and a paragraph in a smaller font with more information, for those who can read the book without adult assistance. Readers are
encouraged to explore nature and collect items for further study, but not living things such as insects. The full-color, digital, cartoon-like illustrations resemble gouache and feature characters of various ethnicities, including a Black girl narrator and the diverse scientists included. The back matter includes half-page profiles on each of the scientists.

Montgomery explores the different ways scientists explored the world when they were children. She is engaging and creative, and fairly balanced when showing a diverse group of explorers and world changers.

I find myself wanting to read more children’s books because I love the colorful book covers and the authors make everything so simple. It’s refreshing sometimes just to look at pictures and not many words and just not think for awhile......can you say burnout?

Anyway, I loved the colorful cover of this book and it is such a cute story that will encourage kids to stay curious and explore nature. It gives examples of several scientists and how, as kids, they were outdoor explorers themselves. They would stuff their pockets with all things in nature and their curiosity continued into adulthood and they are now scientists that have well-known discoveries in their field.

The illustrations in the book are beautiful and will keep your child’s attention. What’s in Your Pocket is a great introduction to science for any child ages 4-8 and beyond and will encourage them to continue being curious throughout life.

This is a great book! Telling the stories of several scientists and how they were curious kids with an easy approach with a magnificient message "Every discovery started with just one thing. One little thing that could fit in a pocket."
And the illustrations are so beautiful.
I believe it is suitable for kids eight years old and above.

I loved it.

What a great book! Presenting a lot of knowledge about scientists like Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall, Maria Sibylla Merian in a childlike fashion, starting with these famous persons as children, collecting things they found in nature and so finding their vocation. It encourages children to stay curious and deal with nature and science. The drawings are lovely, and the additional information make it easy for adults who are reading the books with children. The rules for collecting are presented in a nice way too.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very cool premise for a book. I loved seeing the snippets of info for different scientists throughout history and I'm sure children will agree. It makes a great introduction to different scientists they'll learn about in the classroom, and will hopefully peak their curiosity enough to discover books dedicated to each one.

How many times have you had to clean out a child's pockets before doing the laundry - or realized after the fact that you had forgotten to check the pockets? Just keep in mind that the tidbits in those pockets could be the start of an amazing career in science. Children are naturally curious about the world around them and all of that collecting and investigating develops some useful skills.

Heather L. Montgomery has written a book that showcases those skills and links them to incidents from the childhoods of famous scientists. Seedpods in the pocket of George Washington Carver. Earthworms under Jane Goodall's pillow. Albums of leaves under Meg Lowman's bed. These things probably drove their parents crazy. But, looking back at those moments from our perspective, we can see the foreshadowing of their life's work.

This book is a confirmation of children's curiosity and an introduction to scientists from a variety of backgrounds in a wide range of occupations. Back matter includes more detailed biographical information about each of the individuals and their work. There are also notes from the illustrator and author, as well as suggested field guides and books for curious young explorers. Perfect as a read-aloud or for individual enjoyment - this book belongs in school libraries and classrooms.

I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through NetGalley.
Beautifully illustrated book that offers affirmation for young readers who explore nature. Montgomery shares a wide variety of children who explored and collected and then reveals who they grew up to be. These scientists carried their love of the natural world from childhood. This book encourages current readers to celebrate their own explorations and continue to learn more about the natural world. The book ends with brief biographies of each scientist and other resources for readers. Terrific book to share as a read aloud. Readers can guess who they think each child will grow up to be and open dialogue about their own interests.

Such a lovely picture book on science! I loved the combination of storytelling with actual facts about the scientists. Especially the information bit at the end could be used very well in educational spaces and encourage children to go out and explore the world more. I also really appreciated the amount of women in this and learned a few new things myself.
The detailed illustrations are beautiful and add a colourful touch to the text.

What’s in Your Pocket is a beautifully-illustrated book that encourages children to explore the natural world around them by providing examples of other scientists who, as children, were curious little outdoor explorers as well. I like how the author used famous scientists as well as present-day scientists who are not as well-known so that children can look into them more if they wish to. While this book is intended for a 4-8 year olds, I think that is a bit of a stretch. My daughter, who is 5, enjoyed the book for three quarters of the way through and some of the vocabulary was a bit over her head, and she is a big nature girl herself! Also the change in font styles throughout is a bit unnecessary and, I believe there are too many for this age group. Beautiful book! Would love to add a hard copy to our nature collection for my kids to enjoy on our back porch!

A wonderful book that will encourage children to collect stuffs that interest them. With the examples of famous people who starts to collect things in their youth, became a renowned scientist that discover so many new things for us to learn. One interesting book to read also just because we're curious of these people we rarely heard.

If you have a young child in your life, pick up a copy of Heather L. Montgomery’s What’s in Your Pocket? This is an absolutely wonderful book. While many books tackle the topic of scientists after they have already made their discoveries, What’s in Your Pocket? begins their stories when they were little and putting things in their pockets, as young children are wont to do. Montgomery also shows more diversity in her line up of scientists, not limiting us to the old white men doing science trope. Really everything about this book is fantastic. Educators, nature centers, and anyone with children they love should pick up a copy. Then head out and look for treasures with a child-like eye.

What an adorable introduction to science and scientists who made amazing discoveries! This is sure to encourage the curiosity and exploration that comes so naturally in childhood.

As an outdoor school educator I am always looking for books to inspire outdoor education and this book hit the mark. Who doesn't know a child (or an adult) who always seems to be collecting and compiling treasures from the outdoors? Put them in your pocket and see what happens. This book not only inspired children to continue filling their pockets with treasures, but showed them what those treasures could become based on others who had done the same. I loved the fiction/non-fiction approach to the book and could immediately use it my classroom. Wonderful!

This is a book celebrates the wonders of nature, while describing the childhood interests of 9 budding scientists as early collectors of small natural objects (and comparing them). These small objects were often clues that led to wonderful discoveries.

The illustrations are colorful, creative, and wonderful. Well researched and on-topic. All of the scientists included here made wonderful contributions to science and our understanding of the world around us.

I feel torn about this book. On one hand, I love the illustrations! On the other, I’m concerned about some things implied by what is written, what is not in the story portion, and what is not included at all, that should be.

1. You can tell a child will be a scientist if they collect things. This is strongly implied because it is the basis of the theme. I love science, but taking bits of things into the house was frowned on, and it was very likely it would be thrown away.
2. The objects kids collect. Caution should be taught at an early age, as well as respect. Even in the “Rules for Collecting” near the back of the book, there is no mention that, for instance, digging (for fossils or pottery, etc.) is illegal on State, Federal, (including Parks and Forests) Public, and Private land unless express permission is given. [See the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36: Preservation of natural, cultural and archeological resources.] That means every place your family doesn’t own. Also, in addition to the parts of some birds being restricted to collect (mentioned), other animals as well as rare and endangered plants are protected in some areas (and groups are pushing for more protection). Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so fines could be expensive.
3. There were no warnings in this book about poisonous or dangerous plants or animals. Children should not collect things without the close supervision of an adult. The fact that many children survived doing it alone, does not mean it’s worth the risk. Nor does it benefit science more if it’s done alone!
4. There are places where “the beauty of the land is for everyone,” so nothing should be removed. Take photos instead! Taking photos instead isn’t mentioned until the end of the book, but I believe it should have been part of the story, for younger children who are not ready for “More About…” the scientists and the notes from the author.
5. It wasn't until I read "Notes from the Author" in the back of the book, that the theme was tied together as "naturalistic intelligence;" described as a primary level of comfort outdoors, a passion for nature, and enjoying sorting (and comparing?) objects. It would have made more sense—to me—to include this concept in the story. (I’m not sure how sorting applies, unless the author meant sorting into similar groups. Comparing and collecting were not listed as a condition.)

I have read What’s In Your Pocket at least 5 times now. I like the book, but my concerns remain. I realize that no single book can—or should—address everything. However, if a topic is introduced, it should be presented responsibly.

Illustrations 5/5 Stars
Book 2/5 Stars
Equals 3/5 Stars

#WhatsinYourPocket #NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book! As someone who encourages my daughter to always be curious about the world around her, I loved that this book did the same. Must read for all little ones!

This story was cute with kids collecting things, and then when they become adults they actually make scientific discoveries. It was fun to see how what you do as a child could lead to adulthood. It was refreshing that not all the scientists in this book were the common scientists that are always highlighted.