What To Do With a Box (Book 1 of 10)

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is the current educational push these days. According to research, the STEM occupations are on the rise while the number of STEM graduates remains the same. The result? A high demand for STEM graduates in the workforce. Which means, if your child graduates with a degree in one or more of these fields, she/he is certain to obtain a high paying job days after graduation. I wish that my brain was wired for STEM but honestly, I'd rather sit in a cozy nook with a book all day then play around with gadgets and technology. Therefore, I'm taking baby steps with the STEM implementation in the library. Last year we started with 3D printing (I'm terrible at it), and this year I'm incorporating coding and design. The thought of teaching something completely out of my realm of thinking terrified me. But then I did some research and ordered ten amazing books that will get the STEM wheels turning, literally. I love these books so much that I had to share them with you. What To Do With a Box by the amazing Jane Yolen is one of the top ten on my list.

Jane Yolen is a genius when it comes to children's books. I know that the majority of people think it's a piece of cake to write picture books. Who couldn't write 500 or less words? But writing a picture book isn't just writing 500 words. It's creating a world of heart, adventure, exploration, and endless possibilities through the eyes of a child. Every word counts. And every word choice is perfect in this book.

Told in rhyme, What To Do With A Box, romanticizes the endless possibilities of a plain cardboard box. Two kids dive into their imagination to create worlds within the four cardboard walls and take the reader along for the ride. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math starts with ideas and using your imagination. Think of the Internet, Facebook, the beloved Keurig, Smartphones...the list goes on. All of these everyday inventions started with one thing--an idea. When I read this book to Kindergarten, they were entranced and I wish you could have heard their creative ideas. This book introduces STEM without the kids realizing it. It would be a great addition to your home library and/or make a nice gift. And by the way, Jane Yolen has 365 picture books published. You can read a different Jane Yolen book every day for a year. Click here to learn more about Jane Yolen's books and more.

Thank you for reading and be on the lookout for my next post, STEM picture book number 2 out of 10!