Be a Maker
Be a Maker book cover

Be a Maker

Hardcover – Picture Book, March 5, 2019

Price
$18.93
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Publisher
Carolrhoda Books ®
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1512498028
Dimensions
9.63 x 0.28 x 11.25 inches
Weight
15.2 ounces

Description

From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—The book asks, "In a world of possibilities, today, what will you make?" From there, we see a young girl of color, armed with an imagination and a drive to build, create one thing after another, from small towers of toys to a playground that everyone can share. The words are written in rhyme, providing a satisfying flow throughout the book. The illustrations are full of details and beautiful colors, including the girl's bedroom covered in posters and books of famous people in history who are known for their innovations. Each creation the girl builds is made more elaborate through her imagination. Together, the words and the illustrations provide an encouraging story that one is capable of anything they set their mind to. VERDICT While the idea of children creating is not new, this book stands out. With the subtle odes to famous makers and innovators in the illustrations, and the rhythm of the words, this book is an inspiring choice for story time or one-on-one sharing. Recommended first purchase.—Elizabeth Portillo, Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY "While the idea of children creating is not new, this book stands out. With the subtle odes to famous makers and innovators in the illustrations, and the rhythm of the words, this book is an inspiring choice for story time or one-on-one sharing."― School Library Journal "[T]his timely picture book reinforces the importance of creativity and exuberant play."― Booklist "Together the text and the illustrations create an excellent read that will empower readers to reflect on their own lives and make a change or two or three. . . . This is more than just a book about making and engineering: Make an excellent choice to add this to the shelves."― Kirkus Reviews Katey Howes is thrilled to be writing books for children. She is the author of the picture books Magnolia Mudd and the Super Jumptastic Launcher Deluxe , Grandmother Thorn , and Be a Maker . Katey lives in Upper Makefield, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three adventurous daughters. Elizabet Vuković grew up around makers in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Her mom introduced her to making with fabrics. She and her sister accompanied their dad on many trips to the hardware store for his constant home renovation projects, and her sister continues to use Elizabet as her guinea pig for many outrageous inventions. Elizabet graduated with a degree in optometry before deciding to go back to school for illustration in San Francisco, where she currently resides. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • How many things can you make in a day? A tower, a friend, a change?
  • Rhyme, repetition, and a few seemingly straightforward questions engage young readers in a discussion about the many things we make―and the ways we can make a difference in the world. This simple, layered story celebrates creativity through beautiful rhyming verse and vibrant illustrations with a timely message.
  • "Turning the page is an acceptance of the book creators' challenge―a decision to put passive consumption and inpatient expectancy on the shelf and instead invite your hands to do, to transform and, above all, to MAKE." ―Anitra Rowe Schulte
  • "Together the text and the illustrations create an excellent read that will empower readers to reflect on their own lives and make a change or two or three. . . . This is more than just a book about making and engineering: Make an excellent choice to add this to the shelves."―
  • Kirkus Reviews

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(180)
★★★★
25%
(75)
★★★
15%
(45)
★★
7%
(21)
-7%
(-21)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

A fantastic book!

An amazing book that can be used not only for a makerspace or for creating things, but also for discussing social/emotional aspects, such as making friends and making a difference.
Every classroom, library, and home should have a copy of this!
8 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

A wonderful STEM picture book!

Are you a maker? Do you build or draw or imagine?

Be A Maker is incredibly fun and energetic! The illustrations are bright and colorful with lots of neat things to catch the eye.

This is the perfect storybook for those kids who just can't sit still and have to build and draw and make whatever they get their hands on!

I especially love that this book starts out celebrating being a maker by showing you all the things you might try to do or build or create, and then moves on to show how building and making things can better your community!
5 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

This book has everything!

This book has everything! It's a fun read aloud in rhyme with beautiful illustrations, but it also has a strong message of inspiration to kids that they can be creative and build amazing things, especially with friends and a community. This will make a wonderful birthday gift and classroom selection!
4 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Great anchor text for elementary STEAM lab

This was a great add to my mini lesson for my K-2 STEAM lab to inspire, motivate and introduce what it means to be a maker. Text led to great discussions that you can take deeper depending on classes/grade levels. Illustrations helped to do the same.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Inspiring book

I purchased this book after Adi came across on a blog and the blogger was raving about this book. I decided to give it a try for my 4 year old who loves book. He was so happy when he saw the book and we read it 3-4 times a day since we have received it .. This book has beautiful illustrations for kids to look through it. It definitely inspires young kids to expand their imagination and create new things. This is a must have in everyone library at home!
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

We ran across this book at the library not too long ago, and after reading it with my daughter (who is 5) I went online to buy several copies. The story, the message, the illustrations, are all spot on. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and order a few extra for your friends' children! It's a keeper.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Perfect Picture Book!! Perfect Gift! Perfect Classroom Read-Aloud!!!!

This is one of my new (ALL-TIME) favorite picture books. The rhyming is rhythmic. The messages are powerful. And the illustrations - you'll want to look at them, again and again! (I love all the allusions in the art - Mae Jemison, Einstein, da Vinci, etc.)
Such a great read aloud!!
I bought a copy here on Amazon. And several more from my local independent bookshop! I'll be gifting this little masterpiece again and again!
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Be A Maker is Topnotch

This is a wonderful book that explores and celebrates the limitless potential our children have as change makers. I love the illustrations. Highly recommended!
1 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Inspires creativity

This book is a great read aloud and inspires kids to engage their imagination and creativity!
1 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Encourages Action

I used this book to launch a Wonder Wall with my 3rd graders. But it also encourages community, call to action, engineering... it's a super cute book every classroom could use.
1 people found this helpful