A B CS C I E N C ER I D D L E S

(click on a letter to see a riddle!)

Purchase

   
   

Author: Barbara Saffer ~ Illustrator: Jennifer Johnson Haywood

ISBN 0-939217-55-4

Challenging riddles in rhyme spark the curiosity of young readers as they match letters, sounds, and clues to solve science puzzles.This book also features a page at the end with "Ideas for Parents and Teachers."Kids will love this book. And adults? Well, I'll bet you can't guess just one!

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

My name starts with letter A.
I have a pleasant smell.
I'm sometimes used for trinkets
that artists make and sell.
During prehistoric times,
I oozed from trunks of trees,
lots of things got trapped in me--
like spiders, ants, and bees.
People travel far and wide
to look for chunks of me.
I'm a light brown resin.
Can you guess what I might be?

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

I'm a tiny living thing.
My name starts with a B.
I'm found everywhere on Earth --
in air, the soil, and sea.
I make dead things decompose
and spoil old milk and cheese.
I also cause infections
and lots of dread disease.
I can form balls or rods,
or spiral like a curl.
Can you say my name out loud?
Go on. Give it a whirl!

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

I'm a well-known element.
My name starts with C.
All Earth's plants and animals
contain a lot of me.
I'm the lead in pencils
and the charcoal for a grill.
I'm also found in dry ice
that's used to freeze and chill.
I'm part of the atmosphere
and found in oceans, too.
Do you think you know my name?
Please, say it if you do!

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

My name starts and ends with D.
I form in deep hot stone.
I'm a tough hard substance
that can cut through steel and bone.
Sometimes, I am a lovely gem
that's colored blue or white.
I'm made of carbon atoms
that glitter in the light.
Mines in southern Africa
have many chunks of me.
Do you think you know my name?
Please, say it and we'll see!

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

I begin with letter E.
I happen way up high,
when the moon blocks out the sun
and darkens the whole sky.
I'm not seen too often --
only once or twice a year.
Please, don't ever look at me
without the proper gear.
Scientists may travel far
to see me really well.
Do you know what I am called?
This is the time to tell!

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

I start with I and can be found,
in places that are cold.
Folks with skates can skim on me
or leap high, if they're bold.
I melt to form big puddles
or even smoky steam.
I'm used to make a tasty treat
that is a kind of "cream."
Penguins in Antarctica
may build twig nests on me.
Search your mind. What is my name?
Now, shout it out with glee!

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

My name starts with letter L.
I'm wet and scorching hot.
I flow out of cracks in Earth,
as dust blasts like a shot.
I may build thick sheets of rock
or large volcanic cones.
Both Iceland and Hawaii
are made of my dark stones.
In the western USA,
I form a broad plateau.
I'm also seen on Venus.
What am I? Do you know?

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

My name starts with letter N.
I'm small and good to eat.
Folks crack off my outer shell
to get to my sweet meat.
Look for me on trees that grow
in valleys and on hills.
I can be pistachios,
or cashews, or Brazils.
Sometimes, I'm in tasty cake
or stuffing that's served hot.
Can you say my name out loud?
Go on. Give it a shot!

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

My name begins with letter R.
You'll find me in the sea.
My neighbors are bright fish and shrimp,
and crabs hide out in me.
I'm made of massive coral rock
by polyps, clams, and more.
Scuba divers come my way,
when they swim out from shore.
Near Queensland in Australia,
I run through the Coral Sea.
Out there I'm called "Great Barrier."
What is your name for me?

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood

 

   
         
 
     
     
 
   
   
Guess!

I start with S and orbit Earth,
way up high in space.
Sometimes, I take photographs
and send them to home base.
I can track big hurricanes,
and transmit TV shows,
or watch a foreign army --
to spy on where it goes.
One of my kind is Landsat,
launched by the USA.
Some of my kind are space probes.
What am I? Can you say?

   
   

 

Copyright ©2001 Peel Productions, Inc.
Text copyright©2001 Barbara Saffer; illustration copyright©2001 Jennifer Johnson Haywood