Reading a picture book aloud is a great way to start off a STEM Challenge! Check out my recommendations for books that pair well with tower STEM Challenges below.
Note: these are affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you decide to purchase.
Dream Something Big by Dianna Hutts Aston
Description from Amazon.com:
“Between 1921 and 1955, Italian immigrant Simon Rodia transformed broken glass, seashells, pottery, and a dream to “do something big” into a U.S. National Landmark. Readers watch the towers rise from his little plot of land in Watts, California, through the eyes of a fictional girl as she grows and raises her own children. Chronicled in stunningly detailed collage that mimics Rodia’s found-object art, this thirty-four-year journey becomes a mesmerizing testament to perseverance and possibility. A final, innovative “build-your-own-tower” activity makes this multicultural, intergenerational tribute a classroom natural and a perfect gift-sure to encourage kids to follow their own big dreams.”
The Wonderful Towers of Watts by Patricia Zelver
Description from Amazon.com:
“Describes how an Italian immigrant built three unusual towers in his backyard in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles”
The World is Not a Rectangle by Jeanette Winter
Description from Amazon.com:
“A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of 2017
Parents’ Choice Recommended
Get to know Zaha Hadid in this nonfiction picture book about the famed architect’s life and her triumph over adversity from celebrated author-illustrator Jeanette Winter.
Zaha Hadid grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, and dreamed of designing her own cities. After studying architecture in London, she opened her own studio and started designing buildings. But as a Muslim woman, Hadid faced many obstacles. Determined to succeed, she worked hard for many years, and achieved her goals—and now you can see the buildings Hadid has designed all over the world.”
Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino
Description from Amazon.com:
“Good friends learn a small but important lesson
Owl and Rabbit are good friends and live in two small houses next to each other. They are perfectly happy . . . until Rabbit’s garden gets in the way of Owl’s view. So Owl builds his house a little taller. Only that blocks the sun from Rabbit’s vegetables. So Rabbit builds his house taller. And soon it’s a house-building frenzy and the two now not-so-good friends have the two tallest houses in the world!
All it takes is a gust of wind to remind them that maybe living smaller and together is a much better way to remain friends.”
Rapunzel Stories Around the World: 3 Beloved Tales (Multicultural Fairy Tales) by Cari Meister
Description from Amazon.com:
“Think there’s just one fairy tale with a girl locked away in a tall tower? Think again! Cultures all around the world have their own Rapunzel stories. Visit Germany, Italy, and the Philippines, and find out who is guarded by a flesh eating monster, and whose hero flies off on a magical winged horse.”
Jack & the Beanstalk Graphic Novel by Blake A. Hoena
Description from Amazon.com:
“When Jack sells his family’s cow for magic beans, his mother is anything but pleased. Soon, however, the beans sprout into a towering beanstalk. It leads to a castle filled with gold and other treasures. Jack’s family will be rich, if he can sneak past the man-eating giant!”