Skip to main content

Kid Inventors' Day

Benjamin Franklin did many impressive things throughout his life, but did you know when he was just 11 years old, he invented swim flippers?  Swim flippers may have been little Ben's first invention, but they would not be his last!  Benjamin Franklin would go on to become a prolific inventor, so it's no coincidence that January 17th, the anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birthday, was selected to be Kid Inventor's Day.  Benjamin Franklin was not the first or last kid to invent something cool, though.  Through the years other kids have invented all sorts of things, from the popsicle, to the trampoline, to ear muffs!  Check out our list of books below to learn more about inventors and get a few tips on how to become an inventor yourself.

Kid Innovators: True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers
By Robin Stevenson
Quirk Books, 2021. Informational.

Childhood biographies of sixteen trailblazers in technology, education, business, science, art, and entertainment.

Written by Judith St. George
Illustrated by David Small
Puffin Books, 2005. Informational.

Presents some of the characteristics of inventors by describing the inventions of people such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and Eli Whitney.

Written by Mary Colson
Raintree, 2014. Informational.

Dreaming of becoming an inventor? Helpful tips for finding inspiration, keeping an ideas journal and always thinking about how to improve things will help you invent in no time! 

Written by Anne Renaud
Illustrated Milan Pavlovic
Kids Can Press, 2019. Informational.

Frank William Epperson was a curious boy who wanted to be an inventor when he grew up. His curiosity and experimenting led to one sweet invention--the popsicle!


Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Tundra Books, 2011. Informational.

Recounts the life of Margaret Knight, eventual holder of twenty patents, who fought discrimination and proved that she was just as intelligent an inventor as a man.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

If You Like...Ladybugs

Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...