I love the push for kids (especially girls), to get involved in STEM activities and careers. I remember taking part in a contest in elementary school where we were encouraged to create an invention that we thought could solve a problem in our lives. That competition stuck with me and encouraged me to believe that I could build things that make a difference. As I grew older, I unfortunately had a streak of less than stellar science classes, leading me to pull away from the STEM fields.

Luckily for me, my mother has always taught my sister and I that girls are capable of anything. Both of my parents taught us to not be afraid of tools and home repairs. Now that I am the mother of a young daughter who already shows an interest in how things work, I am so thrilled that there are more fantastic children’s books available about kids and women involved in STEM. Today’s book is a middle grade STEM book about a young girl who loves to build things, and I can’t wait to share it with my daughter when she is older!

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A STEM Book That Encourages Creativity & Imagination

Ellie, Engineer was written by Jackson Pearce and illustrated by Tuesday Mourning. This middle grade novel follows a young girl named Ellie who loves to invent and build all kinds of creations. She and her best friend Kit love to work together to create anything they can think up. When Kit’s birthday comes around, Ellie decides that she wants to make her something spectacular. Her plans quickly grow out of control, so she asks for help from some of her friends.

This story of friendship is full of creative characters who use their imaginations to come up with great ideas. The illustrations showcase lots of Ellie’s plans and sketches for her elaborate project. The book also includes an illustrated guide to Ellie’s favorite tools with descriptions of how to use them.

Imagine the perfect dog house!

Create Your Own Design – Ellie wants to create the perfect doghouse for Kit’s birthday, so her plans become quite elaborate. Give kids the opportunity to create their own design. While they brainstorm, ask them what they think the perfect dog house would have. What does a dog need? What could they add to make it more fun, or more functional? Are there items around the house that could be repurposed? Encourage them to think outside the box.

How can you make a difference?

Take a Fix-It Walk – In the book, Ellie takes a weekly walk around her neighborhood, checking for things that need to be fixed up or repaired. This is a great ritual to start with your kids. Take a walk with your kids around your house, your yard or your neighborhood, while taking note of things around you that need to be updated. Come up with a list of ideas and a plan to fix some of the items you’ve found.

Invention Book – Encourage your kids to use their creativity to solve problems around them. Provide them with a notebook (or print this free printable journal), and let them fill the pages with their own creations. You never know what creations they will come up with, and what possibilities can come from them. When they feel encouraged to dream and create, they will feel like they can make a difference!

Get kids involved around your home and around the neighborhood, while encouraging their imaginations and creativity, just like Ellie! Teaching kids that they are capable of fixing, creating and making a difference will have such an impact on their confidence and their future. This STEM book is a great way to open their minds and get them interested in creating and building!

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