Poh Tan is a published academic and a children’s author. She has co-published two children’s books in collaboration with young children, including her own kids. The books are a distillation of her academic research through understanding and interpreting educational theories that captures scientific literacy through a child’s experience. These books are designed for parents and educators with the aim to make science education more accessible to young children. The books are illustrated by her sons, Khian Mau and Khafri Mau. Stay Tuned for more to come!
My Family (2020)
My Family is a collaborative book with my son, Khian who was 4 years old when he illustrated his reflections about family. The narration were collected by his wonderful and amazing pre-school educators and in combination with my research in scientific literacy for young children. This book tells the story of the meaning of family througout Khian’s pre-school journey from 4 -5 years old. Khian tells the readres about the importance of spending time together. This book can be used in a classroom to extend questions about different types of families and more importantly, to give the child a voice on what family means to them.
Printing Delayed due to COVID-19. Please contact Poh Tan if you would like to order copies.
Soon available for loan at: Simon Fraser University Library Curriculum Collection
Am I a Scientist? (2017)
Am I a Scientist? is a collaborative book with my son, Khafri, who was 8 years old when he drew the illustrations and was one of the reviewers of my book. The books narration is based on a distillation of my research in science education, specifically in scientific literacy for young children. This book introduces 3 to 8 year old children to what different scientists do and moving away from the stereotypical conception of a scientist (i.e. crazy hair styles, lab coat wearing, laboratory constrained). This book can be used in a classroom to extend questions about what a scientist does, how she/he seeks for answers and more importantly, how common actions like listening, observing and questioning are traits and characteristics common with scientific thinking; traits that pre-school aged children practice everyday.
Regular: $24.95
Limited Time Discount! $19.95
Available for loan at: Simon Fraser University Library Curriculum Collection (Check Availability)
Suis-je un scientifique? (2017)
Qu’est-ce qui fait d’une personne un scientifique? Quelles sont les caractéristiques qui font de vous un scientifique? Venez lire pour découvrir différents types de scientifiques posant des questions sur le monde qui nous entoure.
This is a French translation of Am I a Scientist
Regular: $24.95
Limited Time Discount! $19.95
I’m a Mummy and a Scientist (2017)
My name is Poh. I am a Mummy and a Scientist is a children’s book distilled from my research. My doctoral research engages with young children and for the respect of the child, this is a pictorial and narrative representation to gain informed consent from the children. This book is written for the purpose of my research and is partly inspired by a previous Simon Fraser University thesis titled “The complexity of understanding: Young children’s experiences in a forest program”.
Available for purchase soon!
Available for loan at: Simon Fraser University Library Curriculum Collection (Check Availability)