What's in your pocket? by Heather L Montgomery illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

Inspiration for nature-loving children. Kirkus Star review

George stuffed his pockets full of seeds.

Charles collected rocks, shells, and beetles.

Valerie Jane kept worms under her pillow!

You know THAT kid -- packing their pockets and growing science skills!

Every school library needs a copy of this book - it is a wonderful jumping off point to share with your youngest reads and it invites them to explore the lives of eight famous scientists - some well-known such as Dr Jane Godall but others that may be less familiar:

• George Washington Carver (1860s - 1943)
• Charles William Beebe (1877 - 1962)
• Valerie Jane Godall (1934 - 2025)
• Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882)
• Margaret Lowman (1953 - present) Australian
• Diego Cisneros-Heredia (1980 - present)
• Mary Anning (1799 - 1847)
• Maria Sibylla Merian (1647 - 1717)

Read more about Maria Sibylla Merian here

Each of these famous people are organised under three headings - 

When you explore the great outdoors and you find something strange and wonderful do you put it in your pocket? Do you add them to your collection? Do you make amazing discoveries?

• Scientists collect specimens so they can observe the details of natural artifacts.
• As scientists sort, compare and categorise specimens they learn to see patterns within their collections.
• Young scientists make significant discoveries too. Trained to see details and see patterns collectors of any age can surprise us with their finds.

The author web page has an 85 page guide to using this book! After reading What's in your pocket? book I would seek out the matching (where there is one) title from the Little People Big Dreams series and then you might dig into the biography section of your school or local library. Here is a terrific Pinterest collection with over 200 titles to get you started.