Picture Books To Support STEM
Growth-Mindset Innovation Creativity Design-Process
#PB10for10
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Join a “regular girl” and her sidekick dog exploring the joy, disappointment, frustration and ultimate success as they toil, tinker and try to design their own Most Magnificent Thing.
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
This book outlines the brain, its parts and their functions while explaining how we are all Neurosculptors shaping, strengthening and stretching our abilities and emotions with each new experience. The importance of practice, mistakes and learning is embedded in this book helping people of all ages understand how we mentally grow.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett
Beatrice Bottomwell has always been perfect, and the whole town knows it, until the day she almost makes a mistake. The what-if of that moment manifests in her brain. Her inability to focus means her first official mistake is on its way. How will Beatrice deal with it and who will she be if she’s not the Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes?
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
This book will resonate with shy students who don’t think their ideas are good enough or feel that laughter equals judgment. Rosie’s boisterous aunt gives her the boost she needs to prove laughter doesn’t mean something isn’t impressive and to explain how the first flop is a necessary step towards success.
Also check out Iggy Peck, Architect!
Now and Ben by Gene Barretta
Part of the joy of this book lies in its structure. We observe how the vision of Dr. Benjamin Franklin continues to impact us today. Each page lays out how his many inventions look now and how they were when Ben originally designed them. Pure genius!
Me . . . Jane Patrick McDonnell
Jane Goodall was told by many she would never achieve her dream of traveling to Africa to live with and write about the animals. But hard work and perseverance worked out for Jane to the benefit of the world. Read to see how one ten year old’s actions transform into a life well lived. Go to JaneGoodall.org to inspire your class and yourself!
Young Frank Architect by Frank Viva
My Pen by Christopher Myers
Going Places by Peter Reynolds
Every Peter Reynolds book will be a hit, but Going Places focuses on thinking outside of the box. When Rafael & Maya receive their class Going Places kit, with instructions included, they decide to go a different way. Inspirational & fun!
What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada
Kobi Yamada takes us through the emotional process of nurturing an idea. We see denial, disbelief, embarrassment, acceptance, development, growth and release into the world. The theme of how an idea can initially enrich your world, and perhaps, eventually, the whole world, is fully supported by the thoughtful and creative illustrations.