Calling all makers, mechanics, and fans of all things STEM and STEAM! You won’t want to miss the chance to slip one of these entertaining reads under the tree for the young reader on your shopping list who loves to explore, experiment, and tinker. With fiction and nonfiction books perfect for any creative little ones, these Holiday Gift Guide picks are sure to encourage the curiosity and creativity of any aspiring inventor!
Izzy Gizmo
by Pip Jones
illustrated by Sarah Ogilvie
“This story of a girl engineer is sorely needed and has potential to develop and nourish readers’ interest in STEAM subjects.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Izzy Gizmo’s inventions are marvelous, magnificent . . . and often malfunction. Despite the fact that she loves to invent, it never seems to work out in her favor. But when she finds a crow with a broken wing, she has to help! Izzy tries again and again to build a new pair of wings, but nothing is working. Can Izzy overcome her failures? Or is her friend destined to live as a crow who can’t fly? From author Pip Jones, this inspiring, STEAM-infused story of ingenuity and perseverance in the face of failure showcases a sweet friendship and feisty, diverse female engineer and is illustrated with bright, zany art from the acclaimed Sara Ogilvie.
Gnu and Shrew
by Danny Schnitzlein
illustrated by Anca Sandu
“A refreshing demonstration of different approaches and a friendship that transcends those contrasts.” —Booklist
When Gnu says that there’s a cave filled with diamonds across the river, Shrew is intrigued. But Gnu seems to be all talk, fantasizing about riches yet dismissing all of Shrew’s suggestions. As Gnu dreams his days away, tossing out one big idea after another, Shrew spends his nights trying to make those dreams a reality. Can Gnu’s big ideas and Shrew’s hard work make something remarkable happen? In this entertaining spin on “The Ant and the Grasshopper” that values the roles of both dreamers and doers, author Danny Schnitzlein’s deadpan storytelling is perfectly complemented by illustrator Anca Sandu’s humorous artwork.
Nina Soni, Former Best Friend
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky
“The notebook-style lists and vocabulary definitions add to the book without overwhelming the action.… A perfect fit for readers who enjoy realistic fiction about friendship and self-discovery.” —School Library Journal
Nina tried as hard as she could but still somehow forgot about her school project. Fortunately, a class lesson about Alexander Fleming suggests how she might make a great discovery—and thus a great project! But with little sister Kavita’s birthday party right around the corner, and her longtime friendship with Jay on the rocks, Nina has a lot to keep track of. Readers are sure to relate to author Kashmira Sheth’s endearing #OwnVoices chapter book series starring lovable, distractible Nina Soni and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems. Perfect for STEAM-themed middle grade read-alouds.
Save the Crash-test Dummies
by Jennifer Swanson
illustrated by TeMika Grooms
“Attractively designed and engagingly written—sure to appeal to readers with a taste for the scientific and technical.” —Kirkus Reviews
Can you imagine a world without cars? It’s not easy! One of the reasons we can use cars so much in our everyday lives is because they are safe to drive. But that hasn’t always been the case. If it weren’t for the experiments conducted over decades that involved all kinds of crash test volunteers—dead, alive, animal, or automated—cars as we know them might not be around. And then how would you get to school? Filled with fun four‐wheeled nuggets of history and explanations of how cars actually work, this nonfiction book from former science educator and award-winning author Jennifer Swanson will appeal to lovers of all things that go and readers who are interested in getting in under the hood and seeing how things work.
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