Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - celebrating inventors 9.30.2020

Wednesdays I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other

#kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.

The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 

with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

When I see something, I see the use of it, not the possibility of it.  However, others have creativity that makes so many things possible.  Here are some inventors that have helped our world!



A Ben of All Trades: The Most Inventive Boyhood of Benjamin Franklin
written by Michael J. Rosen
illustrated by Matt Tavares
I like how this particular picture book biography focuses on the youth of Ben Franklin.  Ever wonder how Franklin arrived at being an inventor?  His father tried to get him to be a tradesman, but sitting and doing the same thing over and over was not something young Benjamin would do.  He wanted to be in the water, finding new ways to swim the length of the pond even faster.  However, as he tried his hand at many trades, young Ben picked up important knowledge at each one that he was able to put into use in his adulthood.
Featuring the artwork of Matt Tavares, this is a gorgeous book to read and linger over.


Jumbo: The Making of the Boeing 747
by Chris Gall
Ever wonder how they get airplanes to fly?  This book helps explain that, plus goes through the process using one of the largest aircraft carriers out there - the Boeing 747!  This is one of the aircrafts that have middle seats - I always thought those were fascinating!  Explaining how thrust, lift, and the engines work, readers get a better idea of how airplanes fly.  They also can see models of the 747 - did you ever know they had a staircase and a lounge on an airplane?  Some interesting tidbits for readers who enjoy airplanes and flight.


The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box: The Story of Video Game Inventor Ralph Baer
written by Marcie Wessels
illustrated by Beatriz Castro
Where did video games get their start?  What did the first video games look like?  
Ralph Baer, a Jewish refugee from Germany, gave the United States their video game start, but it took a lot of time and convincing.  It all started when televisions became much more prevalent in homes everywhere.  Ralph wanted a way to play games on the TVs and came up with a console that plugs into the TV.  Sound familiar?  However, finding a company to finance the project was a lot harder.
I had not heard of Ralph Baer before this biography, but I know kids will want to know more about him and his big idea!


These books would be a fun addition into a makerspace area where kids could think about inventions and take information from the book and use it in a new way!