Stories about the hidden creatures in our homes, a guide to the secret lives of owls, an illustrated tale of the evolutionary impacts of humans on animals, and a hands-on history of codes and cryptography have earned the 2020 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books.

The winners exemplify outstanding and engaging science writing and illustration for young readers. Sponsored by Subaru of America, the award program, which is now celebrating its 15th year, is intended to encourage the creation of science books that can help readers of all age groups better understand and appreciate science.

Judged by panels of librarians, scientists and educators, the winning works feature accurate science and cannot perpetuate misconceptions or stereotypes. The criteria also require that each book be age-appropriate: For the youngest readers, a winning picture book should pique their curiosity about the natural world around them; for older readers, books should encourage the discussion and understanding of scientific ideas. Hands-on science books for any age must include inquiry-based activities that encourage problem-solving skills.

The prize was launched in 2005 when AAAS and Subaru of America partnered to honor five authors and one illustrator for their contributions to the ever-growing genre of science books for children. The following year, AAAS and Subaru began recognizing authors and illustrators for recently published individual works. Awards are given in four categories: children’s science picture book, middle grades science book, young adult science book and hands-on science book. The prizes are presented to the authors, except in the case of the picture book award, which is given to both the author and the illustrator.

The winning books will be disseminated to K-12 schools throughout the country by Subaru of America and participating Subaru retailers nationally in conjunction with the Subaru Loves Learning initiative. Since the initiative was launched in 2015, more than 278,000 books have been donated.

“Through the Subaru Loves Learning initiative and our partnership with AAAS, Subaru of America and our retailers have been able to provide an enriching and more accessible science education for K-12 schools by helping to recognize and donate books that enlarge the world of science for children,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief executive officer of Subaru of America. “We congratulate this year’s award winners, whose books will inspire the next generation of science leaders.”

This year’s winners receive a cash prize, a commemorative plaque and will be honored at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Seattle, W.A., in February.

The Winners:

Children’s Science Picture Book:

Moth: An Evolution Story, by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2019.

Powerful and visually spectacular, Moth is the remarkable evolution story that captures the struggle of animal survival against the background of an evolving human world in a unique and atmospheric introduction to Darwin's theory of Natural Selection. Against a lush backdrop of lichen-covered trees, the peppered moth lies hidden. Until the world begins to change... Along come people with their magnificent machines which stain the land with soot. In a beautiful landscape changed by humans how will one little moth survive? A clever picture book text about the extraordinary way in which animals have evolved, intertwined with the complication of human intervention. This remarkable retelling of the story of the peppered moth is the perfect introduction to natural selection and evolution for children.

Isabel Thomas studied Human Sciences at the University of Oxford. She is a science writer and children’s author who has been shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, the ASE Science Book of the Year, and the Blue Peter Book Awards. Isabel also writes for children’s science magazine Whizz Pop Bang, and for science outreach projects. She is a primary school governor and STEM Ambassador. 

Daniel Egnéus is a rising star in the book world. Most recently he illustrated the UK edition of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. He has also worked on the Raven Child and the Snow Witch, as well as The Thing. He is a well-regarded fashion artist, regularly illustrating for the likes of Chanel, H&M, Nike and many more.

Middle Grades Science Book:

Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night, by Mark Wilson. Storey Publishing, 2019.

From Hedwig, the Snowy Owl of Harry Potter fame, to Winnie-the-Pooh’s beloved friend Owl, this wide-eyed bird of the night has found its way into young hearts and imaginations everywhere. Owling invites young readers into the world of real-life owls, to learn about their fascinating behaviors and abilities. 

Wildlife photojournalist and nature educator Mark Wilson presents a one-of-a-kind look into the mysterious lives of these distinctive birds. Dramatic images of the 19 owl species of North America nesting, flying, hunting, and catching prey are accompanied by information about the birds’ silent flight, remarkable eyes and ears, haunting calls, and fascinating night life. Kids will learn how to spot owls; identify their calls, plumage, and pellets; and even carry on a hooting conversation with a nearby owl.

Mark Wilson is an award-winning wildlife photojournalist who has written about and photographed birds for more than 35 years. He and his wife run Eyes On Owls, an educational program that brings live owls to schools and groups. He lives in Dunstable, Massachusetts. 

Young Adult Science Book:

Never Home Alone: From Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets, and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live, by Rob Dunn. Basic Books, 2018.

Even when the floors are sparkling clean and the house seems silent, our domestic domain is wild beyond imagination. In Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn introduces us to the nearly 200,000 species living with us in our own homes, from the Egyptian meal moths in our cupboards and camel crickets in our basements to the lactobacillus lounging on our kitchen counters. You are not alone. Yet, as we obsess over sterilizing our homes and separating our spaces from nature, we are unwittingly cultivating an entirely new playground for evolution. These changes are reshaping the organisms that live with us–prompting some to become more dangerous, while undermining those species that benefit our bodies or help us keep more threatening organisms at bay. No one who reads this engrossing, revelatory book will look at their homes in the same way again.

Rob Dunn is a professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University and in the Natural History Museum of Denmark at the University of Copenhagen. He is also the author of five books. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Hands-on Science Book:

Can You Crack the Code?: A Fascinating History of Ciphers and Cryptography, by Ella Schwartz, Illustrated by Lily Williams. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2019.

Codes can carry big secrets! Throughout history, lots of good guys and lots of bad guys have used codes to keep their messages under wraps. This fun and flippable nonfiction features stories of hidden treasures, war-time maneuverings, and contemporary hacking as well as explaining the mechanics behind the codes in accessible and kid friendly forms. Sidebars call out activities that invite the reader to try their own hand at cracking and crafting their own secret messages. This is the launch of an exciting new series that invites readers into a STEM topic through compelling historical anecdotes, scientific backup, and DIY projects.

Ella Schwartz is a government anti-hacking professional and is dedicated to encouraging more young people, especially girls, to explore STEM fields. She lives in Long Beach, New York.