Ashlie (she/her) is an educator, librarian, and writer. She is committed to diversifying the reading lives of her students and supporting fat acceptance as it intersects with other women’s issues. She's also perpetually striving to learn more about how she can use her many privileges to support marginalized groups. Interests include learning how to roller skate with her local roller derby team, buying more books than she'll ever read, hiking with her husband and sons, and making lists to avoid real work. You can find her on Instagram (@ashlieelizabeth), Twitter (@mygirlsimple) or at her website, www.ashlieswicker.com.
One of my favorite things about being an elementary school librarian (some prefer the official term, Media Specialist, but the librarian title really warms me) is the way I can get creative with my lessons. We have standards to meet and skills to impart, but we do have flexibility, and there are so many ways to turn a great read-aloud into a fabulous activity. This is where my roster of books about building can come in handy.
Thanks to the combo of STEM and Makerspace links and strong subject buy-in for young kids, books about building are perfect for little engineers. My youngest students will notice what makes their creations topple and what makes them strong. My older students are working through the engineering and design process, tweaking their structures and observing their partners to give feedback. Always, always, we start with a book.
Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building by Christy Hale
This is a simple book with a powerful impact. I often use this title and ones like it to introduce a unit around Makerspace or the design process. Photographs of children building are paired with notable structures from around the world, laying the groundwork for kids to connect their play with real-life architecture. With this book, I would have laminated pictures of different landmarks (bonus points for a world map with dots to mark where these structures are located) available, alongside different reusable building materials—think blocks, Magnatiles, and Keva planks. Let the children choose what they want to try to replicate, then encourage them to build something entirely their own!
Let’s Build by Sue Fliess and Miki Sakamoto
This sweet rhyming book celebrates building with wood, tools, and family members. I would read this book with my youngest students to encourage conversation about what they know about how different structures are built. The bright, engaging illustrations help reinforce that large machines can construct things, but people can, too. I would pair this book with an activity where students build with wooden castle blocks, and include plastic figurines of people to allow them to create shelters.
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Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield
Brick by Brick is a family story set against a construction backdrop. Luis and his father work to build their future, book by book and brick by brick, respectively. They talk together about their toil, both proud of the work they are doing. I chose this book for its warmth and because many of my students would appreciate the Spanish phrases throughout. This book would go great with a lesson on architecture and design, where students use grid paper and rulers to design their dream house.
Built to Last by Minh Lê and Dan Santat
Lê and Santat are a powerhouse duo in the picture book world, and this collaboration is no exception. The story follows two friends who love to build together. They usually have no problem laughing it off when one of their structures falls, but one day, there is a disaster too big to giggle away. Study strong buildings and strong friendships in this book, and follow it up with an activity where students work together to build structures out of cardboard. You’re going to have the one-two punch of an exciting design lesson and a social-emotional boost from the interpersonal relationship message in the book. Working together is hard. Let them practice!
Hopefully, you’ve found some books about building to inspire a young creator! Looking for more delightful picture books? Check out this collection of science fiction picture books. Happy building, and happy reading!
English (US) · 