Links & Resources - Recommendations

Archive of Bobbi's favorite new books: Robots, inventions

After the holidays, wouldn’t we all love to have a robot helper to clean up everything? In Wendel’s Workshop, an inventive mouse needs help with his mess but implementing his plan for a robot to clean his workshop proves challenging. Delightful illustrations detail the nuts and bolts and clutter resulting from Wendel’s day spent inventing as well as the threat from a robot cleaner run amok.

Tap, Tap, Bang, Bang creates tool characters each with two “screw eyes.” These simplified shapes make lots of noise. “Cree, craw, cree, craw” says the saw. It’s slightly silly, but hands will be going up and voices will be joining in: “I know what that tool is. We have one of those at home!” Use this book to kick-off a unit on commonly used tools. The BIG and colorful collage illustrations will carry for a larger group or circle of children.

Lollipop-colored balloons are awarded at Isabel’s graduation, but she won’t be getting one. Isabel is a feisty, smart and determined porcupine, and as her teacher explains porcupines + balloons = trouble. A Balloon for Isabel (and the other porcupines in her class) is her goal. Solving the problem takes a while, but Isabel experiments and perseveres. Prepare to be delighted with her solution –this cheerful story celebrated inventive thinking.

Wendel’s Workshop by Chris Riddell (Ages 3 – 6)

Robots Tap,Tap, Bang, Bang by Emma Garcia (Ages 3 – 5)

Tools A Balloon for Isabel by Deborah Underwood (Ages 3 – 6) Inventions

Recommendations main page