*previously published by Carly and Adam
Our classroom libraries and the stories that we share with our students should be reflective of the diversity that makes up our world. Every child should have the opportunity to see themselves represented within a main character, a story setting, or a book author.
Whether sharing a book about a student of color or one that depicts a unique culture from around the world, it is our responsibility to highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion within our read aloud selections. This is especially important in STEM, demonstrating that science, technology, engineering, and math are accessible to ALL students.
This post will share 14 engaging STEM picture books that showcase diverse characters, authors, and topics. Along with each book summary, there are a few hands-on activities to support elementary learners.
1. Big Rain Coming by Katrina Germein
This colorfully illustrated book tells a story of an Aboriginal community waiting for rain in Australia. It shows how rain, or lack thereof, has an impact on plants, animals, and people.
Design a device that will collect rainwater. Think about the ways that water can be used to help others.
Observe and graph the weather for a week. Which weather occurred the most? Were there any big rainstorms?
Conduct an experiment. Plant two seeds. Water one with rainwater and the other with tap water. What happened? What differences do you notice?
2. Wild Berries by Julie Flett
A Native American boy and his grandma walk through the woods picking berries together. Throughout the story, keywords are also shared in Cree, the language of the Plains Indians.
Construct a basket or bucket for Clarence to carry his berries in.
Weave your own spider web using string.
Use a map to locate the region where different Native American tribes live.
Ruby and her neighbor head out for a walk in Central Park. Ruby wants to sing and talk but her neighbor is quiet and serious with the hope that they will see a warbler.
Build your own binoculars and head outside to see what birds you can find. Create a chart or graph to show the results.
Construct a bird feeder so that local birds will gather to eat.
Research different types of birds and create a model of your favorite.
4. Nya’s Long Walk: A Step at a Time by Linda Sue Park
Nya and her sister walk from their village to the watering hole to get water for their family. When her sister got sick, Nya had to carry the water and her sister.
Construct a model of a hut-like the ones in Nya’s village.
Create a system to filter water.
Build a water pump.
5. Magic Trash by J.H. Shapiro
Tyree Guyton’s family didn’t have enough money to buy new toys, so he collected things to make his own. Inspired by his grandfather, he went to art school and used his skills to brighten up his neighborhood.
Use craft sticks to build a small structure.
Collect found materials to construct a vehicle that can travel across the room.
Plan a community beautification project.
6. Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty
Sofia was a helper from an early age, spending time with her grandfather, Abuelo. She learned early how to take action and advocate for her community. Sofia used her talents and skills to make a difference!
Plan one way that you will help a friend or neighbor this week.
Design a community park that will serve the interests of the people in your neighborhood.
Create a poster (physical or digital) to bring attention to an important community issue.
7. The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali
On the first day of school, two sisters walk together. The younger sister tells a story of pride about her older sister wearing her hijab, but the other children don’t understand why she wears it. The story focuses on pride of culture and family, above all.
Construct something that symbolizes your family or culture.
Create a video to explain why your family is important and share the video with others.
8. Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Peter has a new baby sister and he’s not too sure how he feels about it. All of the things that used to be his are now being given to the new baby. When he realizes that he’s too big for those things, including his chair, he helps his dad paint them for his sister.
Construct a chair out of newspaper. Can you build it strong enough to hold you?
Think about an old item that you can repurpose and turn it into something brand new.
9. Patience, Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez
Miyuki and her grandfather visit the garden on the first day of spring. Miyuki asks many things in nature like the clouds, the waterfall, and the creatures to help her. They all try to teach her to be patient, but Miyuki has a hard time waiting.
Try some paper folding and create an origami swan-like the one on the cover of the book.
Learn about the flowers that bloom in the springtime where you live. Plant some flower seeds and watch them grow.
10. Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is determined to create a flying machine that will zoom across his yard. His sister really wants to help him. They work together through different designs until their flying machine is successful.
Construct a ramp that will help you to launch a flying machine (or another vehicle).
Design and build a flying machine and see how far it will fly.
Take a look at another Jabari story that helps to practice SEL strategies.
11. Invent a Pet by Vicky Fang
Katie wanted a unique pet. She uses an extraordinary machine in her living room that would help her invent a pet of her very own. The machine creates all sorts of animals until finally, Katie designs one that is just right for her.
Imagine a pet that you would like to invent and build a model of what it would look like.
Create a new formula that Katie’s machine might use to create something brand new.
12. Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams
Kondi collects all sorts of items in an old shoebox. He uses the items to make things. He’s saving wire to make a “galimoto.” Galimoto means car in Chichewa, the official language of Malawi. Kondi bargained and traded for the things he needed to finally create his own toy car so he could play with the other children in his village.
Use pipe cleaners and other recyclable materials to make your own galimoto.
Design and construct a different type of toy. What will it be made from? Who will play with it?
13. Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Ada was curious and had lots of great ideas in her head but did not speak until she turned three. That’s when all of her questions came out and she explored everything in sight. Ada hypothesized and experimented to learn about the things she was curious about.
Conduct an experiment with your senses and categorize objects based on their scents.
Brainstorm some topics you are curious about. Create a hypothesis and design your own experiment using the scientific method.
Complete an experiment of your own by making elephant toothpaste.
14. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
William lived in a small village in Malawi where there was no power for lights. He was interested in how things worked, he read books, and even built some things on his own. He used materials from the junkyard to build a structure to use wind to create energy for his village.
Deconstruct an old toy or broken piece of electronics and find out what’s inside.
Use recycled materials to build a truck, like William did.
Build a wind turbine or another way to harness wind power.
Picture books are a great way to introduce interesting people and cultures to your students. It is important for all students to see themselves in the selection of books that you read aloud. Highlighting people from different places and those with diverse backgrounds helps students to celebrate the uniqueness of those around them.
Through our read aloud selections, we can build an interest in STEM and show our students the diversity all around us.
What other great books would you add to the list?
