The Next Scientist: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of the World’s Great Scientists
Pub. Date August 27, 2024 • Chronicle Books • Written by Kate Messner
How does a kid grow up to become a scientist? This enthralling nonfiction picture book from New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner explores the unexpected beginnings behind some of the most fascinating discoveries in scientific history.
Before the world’s great scientists were scientists, they were, in fact, doing all the things kids do:
Taking things apart,
putting things together,
gazing up at the night sky,
drawing, imagining, building, and exploring.
Things that scientists do, too.
This book of unexpected beginnings powerfully shows that the great scientists of the future could be practically anyone . . . including you. Written by Kate Messner, bestselling author of the acclaimed Over and Under nature book series and more than fifty books for young readers, and beautifully illustrated by Julia Kuo, this is a book to gift to any curious kid interested in STEM topics, fascinated by scientific discoveries, and inspired by biographies of people whose work has had an impact on the world.
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Honors
NSTA’s Children’s Book Council 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Books list
Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books of 2024
Learn About How I Work
Learn about my process for The Next Scientist illustrations
Critical Praise
“Stylish, rotoscope-esque illustrations by Kuo (Luminous) give this inspirational picture book poster-like visual impact as Messner (The Next President) explores the career trajectories of several dozen scientists and researchers of various backgrounds and birth dates.”
- Publisher’s Weekly Review
“Fascinating and captivating… An effective and generous book that encourages exploration, maker spaces, and tinkering. The inclusion of names that are not often covered is a breath of fresh air.”
- School Library Journal Starred Review
“A message to the groundbreaking scientists of the future, with connections to those of the past and present.
“In a gallery of over 40 people who are diverse in terms of race and cultural background, Kuo depicts this array of scientific luminaries first as children and then as adults, differing in dress and setting but all looking intently focused on what they’re doing or studying. As Messner concludes in a soaring finish, all are also hoping that today’s young “makers” will “be up to the job of creating a better world.”
- Kirkus Review
“This intriguing book introduces dozens of figures in the sciences, first as children and, usually on the following double-page spread, as significant achievers in their fields. Kuo's digital illustrations capture the likenesses of a diverse group of leaders in the sciences, and the juxtaposition of childhood interests and professional contributions creates some interesting discussion points along the way. An attractive, original science book.”
- Booklist Review
“[An] attractive, informative, and ambitious collective biography… Thoughtful curation results in representation of a wide range of identities, fields of study, and challenges throughout the history of modern science.”
“Kuo’s digital illustrations in clear black line and a rich color palette have a paper doll–like quality while still being dynamically posed and presented on the pages.”
— The Horn Book Magazine