We’re staying with National Non Fiction November this week, and I’ve chosen two books from an extraordinary series…
The Extraordinary Book That Invents Itself by Alison Buxton, Helen Bell, and Pintachan, sparks the imagination of young readers and budding engineers. Aimed at children who are curious about the world of science and technology, this book introduces them to the exciting field of invention in a fun, interactive way. From rockets to bionic hands, this book shows children how to build real-world inventions using simple materials and clever engineering principles.
What makes this book so engaging is the way it brings complex STEM concepts to life through hands-on activities. Each activity focuses on a different invention, explaining the scientific ideas behind it in easy-to-understand terms. Whether it’s the principles of gravity, aerodynamics, or coding, kids learn how these concepts work as they build rockets, code-breaking machines, and even balancing acrobats. The instructions are clear and straightforward, making even tricky projects feel achievable for young inventors. This book is more than just a guide to making cool things—it’s a tool for building confidence in problem-solving, creative thinking, and perseverance. It shows young inventors that, with a little curiosity and a lot of imagination, they can create anything.
My next choice, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You An Artist by Mary Richards and Go Suga, isn’t just a book; it’s an art adventure that will inspire you to see the world in a new, colorful way. If you want to encourage anyone to explore their artistic potential, this book is an absolute must-have.
This interactive masterpiece doesn’t just tell a story—it becomes a story that you create. With every page you turn, you’ll uncover new ways to make art, explore different artistic styles, and even learn about famous art movements like Pop Art, Cubism, and Surrealism. It’s educational but not in the traditional sense; instead of simply explaining concepts, it allows readers to experience art. It’s an invitation to explore, imagine, and get their hands dirty with paint, scissors, and markers. Perfect for building a budding artist’s confidence in their creative abilities and for sparking their imagination, they might start by folding a page into a 3D sculpture, using another page to design a colour wheel, or turning a spread into a pop art masterpiece. And that’s not all: the book’s cover doubles as an art portfolio where creations can be stored, turning the book into an ongoing personal gallery that can be visited again and again.
If you love these two books, there are two more Extraordinary books in the series to explore; The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy (to feel positive, confident, focused, calm, relaxed, inclusive and included), and The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself (every page turns into an eco project that helps you save the planet and recycles the book).
Happy reading and creating!
