Why We Love The Zoey And Sassafras Early Chapter Books

When your soon to be 7 year old is all about her books, it’s only right that you have a secret stash of books waiting for her to open on the morning of her birthday. In that stash is the newest book in the Zoey and Sassafras early chapter books series. I can’t promise I won’t surprise her with it before then. As far as favorite early chapter books go, this series tops our list. We started them when she was four as read alouds with me being the narrator. Now that she is a voracious reader on her own, we read them together. I recommend these books to all the parents I know that have kids that loves both science and magical tales.

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Why we love Zoey and Sassafras Early Chapter Books

STEM

My science and art loving girl loves books with a STEM theme so of course Zoey and Sassafras fit right into her book love language. While Zoey helps her magical friends with their various troubles, the remedies she uses are often science based. Author Asia Citro is a former science teacher. She does a great job incorporating science lessons within the story. The books have a glossary of terms which includes science terminology.

You can also checkout the Zoey and Sassafras site for printables and activities to do at home while reading each book. 

Fun

There is always an adventure waiting for Zoey and Sass. And we giggle every time Zoey’s dad is confused because he doesn’t know that Zoey and her mom can talk to magical creatures. I love that there are science lessons but also some whimsical fun in the stories.

Representation Matters

One of the things that caught my eye when I first discovered these books is that Zoey is a little brown girl with big hair. A little brown girl with big hair that loves to discover new things, loves science and yes loves the magical. Just a regular girl enjoying regular magical kid things. I always look for stories like this to share with my kids because children of color like all children like fun, science and magic. And let’s not forget that Zoey’s mom is a scientist. I know many super moms that also hold the title of Doctor, Scientist and more. Many of these moms and their kids look like us. For my kids to see this representation in the stories they read matters.

Speaking of representation, last year was our first year in public school and when book character day rolled around, guess who Zoe wanted to be? That’s right Zoey! Talk about a simple costume to DIY. She was so happy to walk into school as Zoey, Sassafras knee patch and all.

Easy and Fun Reading

The books are just over 100 pages each broken down into short chapters. I like that my girl can read a few chapters at a time without losing interest. The plan is usually to read 2 or 3 chapters each night but she often asks for more. I love that while there are pictures in the books, they are simple black and white illustrations that lend to the story. A few pictures in early chapter books is a great way to transition from board book and level 1 readers. Also having the same main characters in a series of books builds a love for reading. I was a book series reading kid. This works and if your child is a reluctant reader, grabbing a series might be just what they need.

Zoey

Ok this reason why we love the Zoey and Sassafras books is all my Zoe. I remember when she got the first book how excited she was to see that the main character had the same name as her. That lit her up and made her dive right into the story. So for her it’s the name and for me it’s the name but it’s the brown girl representation and the whole idea that yes a little brown girl named Zoe can grow up to be a scientist.

Have you read the Zoey and Sassafras books? Which book is your favorite in the series?