Looking to add to your collection? Here is a list of Picture Books About Inventors and Inventions
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Bright Ideas: 20 Inspiring Picture Books About Inventors and Inventions
Introduction
Every invention begins with a question: What if? Throughout history, inventors have used curiosity, creativity, and perseverance to solve problems and improve the world around them. National Inventors Month is the perfect time to introduce young readers to the remarkable people behind some of history’s greatest inventions—and to encourage children to become problem-solvers themselves. These books celebrate famous inventors, imaginative thinkers, and the power of never giving up.
1. Rosie Revere, Engineer*
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Rosie dreams of becoming a great inventor but learns that every failed attempt is simply another step toward success. A wonderful story about perseverance and creativity. https://amzn.to/4xogZPH
2. Ada Twist, Scientist*
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Ada’s endless questions and experiments encourage children to embrace curiosity and scientific discovery. https://amzn.to/4wBH7Xe
3. Iggy Peck, Architect*
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
An imaginative young builder discovers that creative thinking and persistence can solve almost any problem. https://amzn.to/4hgTTWs
4. The Most Magnificent Thing*
Author & Illustrator: Ashley Spires
A young inventor works tirelessly to create her masterpiece, learning valuable lessons about patience, resilience, and problem-solving along the way. https://amzn.to/4xohidj
5. What Do You Do With an Idea?*
Author: Kobi Yamada
Illustrator: Mae Besom
A beautifully illustrated story about nurturing an idea, believing in yourself, and discovering that one idea really can change the world. https://amzn.to/4wckTdt
6. Papa’s Mechanical Fish
Author: Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Based on the true story of Lodner Phillips, this imaginative tale tells how one inventor’s dream eventually inspired the modern submarine. https://amzn.to/3TD8ge0
7. Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions*
Author: Chris Barton
Illustrator: Don Tate
Discover the true story of Lonnie Johnson, the NASA engineer who invented the Super Soaker® water toy while working on much bigger engineering challenges.https://amzn.to/4co3FCG
8. Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci
Author: Gene Barretta
An engaging introduction to Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic masterpieces and visionary inventions, many centuries ahead of their time. https://amzn.to/4w5NvF1
9. The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau
Author: Dan Yaccarino
This inspiring biography explores Cousteau’s inventions and innovations that helped people better understand the oceans. https://amzn.to/4hRJpNj
10. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
Author: Julia Finley Mosca
Illustrator: Daniel Rieley
An inspiring biography about Temple Grandin, whose unique way of thinking led to important innovations in animal care and engineering. https://amzn.to/4pYpQF2
11. The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
Author: Jeanette Winter
Although Jane Goodall was not an inventor, her curiosity and scientific discoveries inspire children to observe, question, and explore. https://amzn.to/4w5NL6X
12. Earmuffs for Everyone! How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs*
Author: Meghan McCarthy
The true story of a teenager whose simple idea became one of winter’s most useful inventions. https://amzn.to/4wfvG6F
13. If I Built a Car
Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
A young inventor imagines the ultimate automobile, complete with extraordinary features powered by imagination. https://amzn.to/4z030kK
14. If I Built a House
Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
What would your dream house include? This imaginative story encourages creative design and innovative thinking. https://amzn.to/4xeFqz0
15. If I Built a School
Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen
A playful look at how one child’s creative ideas could transform the school experience. https://amzn.to/4wBINA0
16. The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring
Author: Gilbert Ford
The fascinating story of how the invention of the Slinky® came about almost by accident—and became one of the world’s favorite toys. https://amzn.to/4fSg3fo
17. Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women*
Author: Catherine Thimmesh
This engaging nonfiction book introduces children to women whose inventions changed everyday life, from windshield wipers to chocolate chip cookies. https://amzn.to/4wMgLlu
18. So You Want to Be an Inventor?
Author: Judith St. George
Illustrator: David Small
Packed with fascinating stories about famous inventors, surprising discoveries, and the creative process behind innovation. https://amzn.to/4hbmtZf
19. Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13
Author: Helaine Becker
Illustrator: Dow Phumiruk
Although Katherine Johnson was a mathematician rather than an inventor, her brilliant problem-solving skills helped make space exploration possible and inspire future innovators. https://amzn.to/4fUt208
20. The Crayon Man: The Inspiring Illustrated Picture Book Biography of the Inventor of Crayola Crayons
Author: Natascha Biebow
Illustrator: Steven Salerno
Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world’s most enduring, best-loved childhood toys – empowering children to dream in COLOR! https://amzn.to/4galUhj
Inventors remind us that the world’s greatest ideas often begin with simple questions, careful observation, and the courage to keep trying. These books encourage children to think creatively, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and believe that their own ideas can make a difference.
Celebrate National Inventors Month by inviting students to design an invention that solves an everyday problem, create a “Young Inventors Gallery,” explore famous patents, or host a simple makerspace challenge using recycled materials. Today’s curious reader may become tomorrow’s world-changing inventor!
*I have personally added these books to my school library.
I have not read all of these books. Please preview them for yourself before adding them to your school library.
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