17th January K.I.D. Kid Inventor's Day

Kid Inventor's Day is celebrated annually on 17th January, the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, who invented the first swim flippers, almost 300 years ago at age 12! 

Did you know that the snowmobile, flippers, popsicles, and braille were all invented by children?

These picture book biographies are about child inventors:

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle  by Anne Renaud

Ben Franklin's Big Splash  by Barb Rosenstock

Six Dots  by Jen Bryant

The Boy Who Invented TV  by Kathleen Kroll

Marvellous Mattie  by Emily Arnold McCully

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind  by William Kwamkwamba

Lily the Inventor  by Claire Thompson

Here are three reasons for sharing picture books about inventors with classes.

• Creativity and Imagination: Inventors often think outside the box and imagine new possibilities. Sharing these books nurtures creativity and imagination in children, encouraging them to explore unconventional ideas and embrace their imagination.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Inventors face challenges and solve problems; picture books about inventors can teach children valuable problem-solving skills. They showcase the process of identifying problems, thinking critically, and coming up with inventive solutions.
• Persistence and Resilience: Inventions often involve trial and error, setbacks, and perseverance. Picture books about inventors teach kids the value of persistence, resilience, and the importance of not giving up in the face of challenges.

There are many picture books, not about specific inventions that also encourage students to 'have a go at' making things. 

• Rosie Revere Engineer  by Andrea Beaty

• If I Build a Car  by Chris Van Dusen

• Awesome Dawson by Chris Gall

• Violet the Pilot  by Steve Green

• Doll-E 1.0  by Shanda McCloskey

• The Magnificent Thing  by Ashley Spires

• Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention by Pip Jones 

• Dotty Inventions  by Roger McGough

• Made by Maxine  by Ruth Spiro

• Melia and Jo  by Billy Aronson

• Ara the Star Engineer  by Komal Singh

• Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket  by Sue Fliess

• Bonnie's Rocket  by Emeline Lee

and a series of short chapter books about Izzy the Inventor by Zanna Davidson