AAAS and Subaru are proud to announce the finalists for the 2022 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Children’s Science Picture Book category. The Prize celebrates outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults and is meant to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all ages. Longlists for all four categories were announced in October.

The 2022 winner will be selected from among the following finalists:

• Abby Invents: The Foldibot, by Arlyne Simon. Illustrated by Diana Necsulescu. Abby Invents, 2021.

  A celebration of STEM and the engineering design process. Abby thinks folding laundry is boring. Very boring. There are washing machines and dryers. There must be folding machines, too! Team up with Abby and Cousin Miko as they invent the world's first, at-home, laundry-folding machine -- the Foldibot! The first prototype does not work. Neither does the second. But, Abby is not afraid of failure. How many tries will it take? Share Abby's joy as she earns her SECOND patent!

• Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia, by Barbara Sandri and Francesco Giubbilini. Illustrated by Camilla Pintonato. Princeton Architectural Press, 2021.

  Chickenology takes young readers on a fascinating and informative tour of chickens. With a playful tone and irresistibly charming illustrations, this lively visual encyclopedia presents chickens in all of their feathered glory. Discover the incredible variety of chickens with different origins, breeds, and feather patterns. Learn incredible facts: did you know that chickens can learn to count up to four and have excellent hearing? Many even like to listen to music!

• Mimic Makers Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature, by Kristen Nordstrom. Illustrated by Paul Boston. Charlesbridge, 2021.

  Who's the best teacher for scientists, engineers, AND designers? Mother nature, of course!
  When an inventor is inspired by nature for a new creation, they are practicing something called biomimicry. Meet ten real-life scientists, engineers, and designers who imitate plants and animals to create amazing new technology. An engineer shapes the nose of his train like a kingfisher's beak. A scientist models her solar cell on the mighty leaf. Discover how we copy nature's good ideas to solve real-world problems!

• Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World, by Ann Hobbie. Illustrated by Olga Baumert. Storey Publishing, 2021.

  Monarchs are a favorite and familiar North American butterfly, and their incredible annual migration has captured the popular imagination for generations. As populations of monarchs decline dramatically due to habitat loss and climate change, interest in and enthusiasm for protecting these beloved pollinators has skyrocketed. With easy-to-read text and colorful, engaging illustrations, Monarch Butterflies presents young readers with rich, detailed information about the monarchs’ life cycle, anatomy, and the wonders of their signature migration, as well as how to raise monarchs at home and the cultural significance of monarchs in Day of the Dead celebrations. As the book considers how human behavior has harmed monarchs, it offers substantive ways kids can help make a positive difference. Children will learn how to turn lawns into native plant gardens, become involved in citizen science efforts such as tagging migrating monarchs and participating in population counts, and support organizations that work to conserve butterflies.

Winners will be announced in February 2022.