This one is for you Preschool Engineer fans! I scoured the Usborne Books and More website and chose some nonfiction books for you to enjoy with your young children. Most of these are listed for the older set of preschoolers 5+ or kindergartners but, in my experience, any "Lift the Flap" or "See Inside" books work with young children, too.
There are more STEAM books about science for the older set, too. For learning beyond preschool, check out the
Illustrated Dictionaries,
Stories of Science and Inventions,
This is Not a Math Book, and
Academy Books.
To go straight the the List I created on Usborne Books and More click
here.
Science
There is a huge range of topics within "science" and Usborne Books and More touches on a lot of them. General science, life science, weather science, and space science are among them. Here are my top picks for science...
The Usborne Illustrated Elementary Science Dictionary tells it straight and simple, explaining everything children and parents need in order to understand basic level science. This book will help to lay a firm foundation for confidence and success in science. Readers can dip in for quick explanations or work through by subject to build knowledge step-by-step.
A quirky lift-the-flap book that answers children's questions about science. A fun book to dip in and out of, it has lots of quirky and interesting facts children will find fascinating.
Science Activities Series: These bright, exciting books respond to the growing emphasis on scientific exploration for young children.
See Inside Science Books like this one!
A lift-the-flap information book that introduces readers to the science of weather. Filled with facts from how hurricanes and floods happen to how global warming is affecting the Earth’s climates.
Technology
Like everything in the acronym, Technology and Engineering overlap quite a bit. For purposes of this list, I am focusing on technology as "tools."
An interactive introduction to information and communication technology, which explains what goes on inside computers to make them do what they do. With lots of flaps to lift and look beneath, fact-hungry children will devour the fascinating data contained in this bright and engaging non-fiction book. A return to the days when Usborne was a market-leader in computer books for children. Many of today's tech professionals were inspired by Usborne's coding books from the 1980s.
Have you ever wondered just what happens when you flush a toilet, or what goes on inside a light bulb? Do you want to know how a digger scoops up soil, why boats float and what keeps planes up in the air? Lift the flaps to see inside how things work--from everyday inventions to massive machines.
Engineering
For the Engineering section, I chose books about how technology is put to use in everyday life. As trains, buildings, and spacecraft.
Trains hold a fascination for just about everybody and this lift-the-flap history of locomotion tells it all from Stephenson's Rocket to the bullet trains of today.Lift the flaps to explore all kinds of exciting trains, from a luxury steam train fit for a queen to super-fast trains that run on magnets, trains that can climb up mountains, and lots, lots more.
Part of a collectable series of interactive information books.
Whoosh around the globe to explore soaring skyscrapers, elegant cathedrals, leafy parks and bustling shopping streets. With fun flaps and stunning illustrations, this book takes you inside some of the greatest cities in the world.
Blast off for an amazing inside view of spacecraft – from the early days of the Space Race to building a space station, exploring Mars and more.
Art
I have to admit that that I chose "Famous Paintings" book because my young children have enjoyed looking at "grown up" art books with me and they are some of my favorite memories around books. It is listed for the older set but I think you could enjoy it with your little ones, like I did with mine.
This delightful treasury combines dazzling art from around the world with exciting projects to do that will inspire every young artist. It includes famous European paintings, delicate Japanese prints and traditional African masks, and each work of art is followed by a project influenced by the artist's methods or ideas.
Packed with amazing paintings, prints and sculptures, this book invites you to peek inside the world of art. Lift the flaps to reveal how art is made, explore interesting details and uncover hidden clues.
This lavish book provides a picture-by-picture introduction to 35 of the world's best known, best loved paintings, from oil paintings to prints, all beautifully reproduced and explained in a simple, engaging way.
Math
An innovative approach to what can be a dry and tricky subject, this book is perfect for parents and children to share on the road to learning essential math skills.
A brand new series of interactive board books to make it easier for children to learn math skills. Slide the simple mechanisms and see the picture change to show the result of the additions and substractions, making math visual, concrete, and easy to understand!
Children need lots of practice when learning important skills and this durable book allows them to repeat simple math problems again and again.This book introduces very simple addition and subtraction which will lay solid foundations for mathematics.Comes with a special wipe-clean pen which is really satisfying to write with, yet easy to wipe off the shiny pages.
An ideal introduction to numbers and counting, specially designed for children in their first few years at school.Clear and simple explanations with lively illustrations guide children and parents through essential math concepts.Can be used as a dictionary, or to work through to build knowledge and skills step-by-step.Includes internet links to the best interactive websites offering math puzzles, games and practice.
