Picture books and early readers for kindergarten to grade 3.

Alexander Graham Bell

(Inspiring Lives, Kids Can Read 3)

written by Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski (Kids Can Press)

With a mother who didn't hear well and a father who was a speech teacher, it's no wonder that telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell was fascinated by sound. Detailed illustrations grace almost every page. See also MacLeod and Krystoforski's Thomas Edison and The Wright Brothers.

All Aboard! Elijah McCoy's

Steam Engine (Great Idea)

written by Monica Kulling, illustrated by Bill Slavin (Tundra Books)

In this series of biographies for children who are just starting to read, Monica Kulling presents the life of Elijah McCoy, a son of slaves whose dreams led him to study mechanical engineering in Scotland and whose invention changed the face of travel around the world. The same playful text and lively illustrations can be found in It's a Snap! George Eastman's First Photograph by the same team.

Jeremy and the Fantastic

Flying Machine (Orca Echoes)

written by Becky Citra, illustrated by Jessica Meserve (Orca Book Publishers)

In this fourth book of the Jeremy and the Enchanted Theater series, Jeremy and his cat Aristotle must face their fears, this time deep in a maze beneath the ground and high in the sky above ancient Greece.

Marveltown

written and illustrated by Bruce McCall

(Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

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Growing up in a town founded by inventors, Marveltown children knew how lucky they were. But when an unfortunate short circuit caused problems and scared the adults away, were the kids ready to put their know-how to the test?

Mechanimals

written and illustrated by Chris Tougas

(Orca Book Publishers)

When a tornado sweeps away his animals, a farmer constructs "mechanimals" from scrap metal to replace his missing livestock. Delightful artwork accompanies this story about pursuing our own visions.

TJ and the Rockets

(Orca Young Readers)

written by Hazel Hutchins

(Orca Book Publishers)

TJ is sick about the upcoming science fair. His best friend Seymour is determined to come up with the latest greatest invention and TJ's Gran expects TJ to build a rocket. When the first rocket that he builds plummets out of the sky, TJ is sure that his efforts are doomed.