Inspire Young Inventors: Books & Resources For Elementary Educators

by Katey Howes, illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic

How many things can you make in a day? A tower, a friend, a change?

Grades K–1

by Ashley Spires

A little girl has a wonderful idea. With the help of her canine assistant, she is going to make the most magnificent thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. But making the most magnificent thing turns out to be harder than she thinks.

Grades K–1

by Peter Reynolds

Rafael has looked forward to the Going Places contest and builds his go-cart from a kit in record time, but his neighbor, Maya, has a much more interesting and creative idea for her entry and Rafael decides to help.

Grades K–2

by Kristyna Litten

Norton, an adorable robot, collects this “junk” and uses it to create amazing inventions. But one day he and his dog Alpha find something they’ve never seen before: a flower! At first, they’re baffled . . . but when a seed blossoms into a flowery field, the two discover the true magic of nature.

Grades K–2 

by Patricia Polacco

When young Trisha finds out her class at the new school is known as "The Junkyard," she is not happy. But then she meets her teacher, the quirky and invincible Mrs. Peterson, and her classmates, an oddly brilliant group of students each with his or her own unique talent.

Grades K–2 

by Andrea Beaty, ​illustrated by David Roberts

When Rosie is unable to invent a contraption to help one of Aunt Rose's Raucous Riveters friends, she calls on classmates Iggy Peck and Ada Twist to help.

Grades K–3

by Daniel Rieley, illustrated by Daniel Rieley

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that.

Grades K–2 

by Steven Salerno, illustrated by Steven Salerno

Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon! This gloriously illustrated picture book biography tells the inspiring story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most creative toys.

Grades K–3 

by Kana Urbanowicz, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz

The story of how Ando Momofuku created instant ramen noodle soup in an effort to feed hungry people.

Grades K–3 

by Shana Corey, illustrated by Red Nose Studio

A picture book introduction to the story of New York City's first subway describes how the city was challenged by overcrowding and pollution in the mid-19th century and how Alfred Ely Beach's underground train innovations met key infrastructure and transportation challenges.

Grades K–3

by Sarah Aronson, illustrated by Robert Neubecker

This story recounts the life and career of Rube Goldberg and the imaginative contraptions that made him famous.

Grades 3–5 

by Fiona Robinson

A picture book biography of mathematician Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer.

Grades 3–5