Last Updated on July 31, 2020 by Natalie
When Asia Citro first advertised her series Zoey & Sassafras, I jumped at the opportunity to read them. The books are about a young girl with a cat that includes science and magic? Count me in! My kids and I have devoured these books because I love this series. Lucky for us, the series keeps growing and the 8th book is coming out in October, 2020. Here’s why I love the Zoey and Sassafras books so much!
Zoey and Sassafras Book Reviews
Check out my interview with Asia Citro, the author of Zoey and Sassafras!
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➜ Want MORE Zoey and Sassafras? Click here to pre-order the next book, Bips and Roses, Zoey and Sassafras book 8!
The series encourages scientific exploration
The Zoey and Sassafras books are a creative series that combine magic and science in a way that is accessible and entertaining to young children. Both my kids love the first three books and we are still rereading them. It has also encouraged us to do do fun science projects as a family. It has sparked our creativity, even if we weren’t conducting real science experiments.
Zoey’s mom is a scientist and is instilling good scientific procedures into her daughter’s play. Zoey does many experiments throughout the books. Even though the creatures who need her help are mythical, the problems they have are rooted in reality, like when Zoey starts the 2nd book doing mold experiments and the monster who needs her help has a mold problem. Citro even warns through the story that people shouldn’t touch mold because it can be dangerous.
Science books for ages 5-9
Though the series is aimed at girls ages 5-9, both of my children are enamored with Zoey and positively adore Sassafras. They try to emulate her experiments and have even used swimming goggles as “thinking goggles.” Citro’s writing and characters have really inspired a love of science in my kids and I’m grateful this series exists. It’s an excellent way to add science into your child’s life (and yours).
Science isn’t my strong suit. The best way to learn is through play. Asia Citro’s Zoey and Sassafras series combines both concepts effortlessly. I love that such entertaining stories have great educational value. I want to instill a love for science into both my son and my daughter.
I’m also ridiculously excited about the next book!
The Books in Order
You can also grab the Zoey and Sassafras Books 1-6 pack here.
Dragons and Marshmallows
The first book in the series sets a great tone. We meet Zoey, a young girl, as she’s making a bug circus, with her cat, Sassafras. She quickly learns that she and her mother can see magical creatures. Not only that, but her mother has been taking care of magical creatures since she was Zoey’s age! When her mom leaves to speak at a science conference, Zoey is left to help the magical creatures who show up. Can she do it on her own? Science to the rescue!
Monsters and Mold
Zoey meets Gorp, a monster who has mold growing on his fur. He’s hoping that Zoey can fix his problem before the Monster Ball in a few days. Zoey runs a series of experiments to figure out the best way to help Gorp, but she’s running out of time. Can she help him so he can finally join his friends at the Monster event of the year?
Merhorses and Bubbles
One day, Zoey realizes she can’t find any mayfly babies in her local creek. Then, she finds out that the secretive merhorses are suffering in the same creek. In a race against time, Zoey must figure out what is polluting the water and how to fix it before the merhorses disappear.
Caterflies and Ice
Zoey meets the adorable caterflies, who desperately need her help to make sure their eggs don’t freeze in the late spring snowstorm. Zoey easily solves their problem but inadvertently causes one that’s far worse – she’s ruined the caterfly babies food supply! Can Zoey fix her mistake?
The Pod and the Bog
Zoey’s friend, Pip (the talking frog), shows up one evening with a seed pod. Since neither Zoey or her mom know what the magical plant is, Zoey runs experiments to try to get the seeds to grow. Can she grow the seeds or will all of them turn to purple dust?
Unicorns and Germs
It turns out that unicorns are huge, with a capital H-U-G-E! Zoey meets her first unicorn, Tiny, who needs helps because he has an infected cut on his leg. Unfortunately, Tiny gets worse instead of better! Together, Zoey, her mom, and Sassafras must cure poor Tiny before he gets any sicker!
Grumplets and Pests
It’s summer and Zoey wants to enjoy her time with Sassafras and her magical creature friends. Except, everyone is really grumpy. What’s up? Zoey must figure out the problem before her summer of fun turns into a summer of disappointment.
Bips and Roses
Pre-order now – comes out in October, 2020!
Zoey and Sassafras must save the magical roses of the forest before the hippogriff eggs hatch, because the roses are their first food. Can Zoey do it? Of course she can! But, how?
For more information about author Asia Citro
Asia Citro is the author of several science books and also blogs at Fun at Home with Kids. Her site contains all kinds of wonderful activites for toddlers, preschoolers, and even early grade students. I’ve done several of her activities with my children, though mine weren’t so picture perfect! However, they were really fun. And very messy!
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