Books About Inventions · 460 titles considered

The Best Inventions Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about inventions? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Inventions

Sale price

$2849

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

A hidden life in a Paris station unravels with a cryptic message.

Caldecott Medal (2008)The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2007)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2007)

533 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 191,259 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Summary: Hugo, an orphan and clock keeper, hides within the walls of a Paris train station. His secretive existence is threatened when he encounters a mysterious toyseller and a curious girl. As a cryptic drawing, a stolen key, and a mechanical man come into play, Hugo must unravel a hidden message from his deceased father. Can he protect his secret and uncover the truth before it's too late?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10

Ada Lace, on the Case

By Emily Calandrelli, Tamson Weston, Renee Kurilla (Illustrator) · Ada Lace series

A young girl investigates the disappearance of a neighbor's dog in her new neighborhood

128 pages· 11,233 words· Est. 2 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 763 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 5–7 · 2019

Pug Blasts Off

By Kyla May · Book #1 in the Diary of a Pug series

A pug named Baron von Bubbles helps his owner Bella with an invention challenge at school

80 pages· 2,532 words· Est. 57 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,715 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Baron von Bubbles, or Bub, is a pug with a flair for fashion and a love for peanut butter. His human, Bella, enters the Inventor Challenge, and Bub is eager to help. But when Nutz the squirrel causes chaos, Bub accidentally ruins Bella's project. Now, Bub must overcome his fear of rain and confront Nutz to make things right. Can this adorable pug save the day and prove he's the best furry friend Bella could ask for?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters

By Andrea Beaty, David Roberts (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Questioneers series

A young inventor helps her friend participate in an art contest despite her physical limitations

144 pages· 7,816 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,646 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Rosie Revere faces her toughest challenge yet when her Aunt Rose and the Raucous Riveters need her engineering skills. Tasked with creating a device for a mural competition, Rosie struggles with repeated failures. As hope dwindles, classmates Iggy Peck and Ada Twist join the quest, sparking creativity and teamwork. Can Rosie overcome setbacks and rediscover the true meaning of home with the Riveters? Dive into this adventure of perseverance and friendship, where science and heart collide.

Sale price

$574

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2016

March of the Mini Beasts

By Ada Hopper, Sam Ricks (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The DATA Set series

Toy animals come to life and grow. Can kids stop them before chaos ensues?

128 pages· 4,599 words· Est. 36 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 430 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: Gabe, Laura, and Cesar, the whiz kids of Newtonburg, face a wild adventure when their neighbor, Dr. Bunsen, accidentally brings toy animals to life with a growth ray. As these creatures grow into real beasts, including an elephant and a dinosaur, the kids must track them down before they wreak havoc in town. Can they catch the runaway animals before it's too late? Dive into a world of science and excitement with The DATA Set's thrilling escapades.

Sale price

$1130

Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2002

Sacagawea and the Bravest Deed

By Stephen Krensky, Diana Magnuson (Illustrator) · Childhood of Famous Americans series

A young girl discovers unexpected bravery when faced with danger.

32 pages· 585 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

3.7/5 Goodreads · 19 ratings

$11.89Save 5%

Summary: Sacagawea yearns to prove her bravery like her brother, but she's barred from joining the boys' hunt. While gathering wood with her grandmother, an encounter with a rattlesnake challenges her courage in unexpected ways. Can she find her own path to bravery?

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

The Crayon Man

By Natascha Biebow, Steven Salerno (Illustrator)

A man invents a new kind of colored crayon that brings joy to children all around the world.

48 pages· 1,134 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

6.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,258 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Meet Edwin Binney, the visionary who transformed childhood with a simple idea: colorful crayons. Journey through his inventive process and see how he turned nature's hues into a beloved toy, sparking creativity worldwide.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2013

Rosie Revere, Engineer

By Andrea Beaty, David Roberts (Illustrator) · The Questioneers series

An aspiring engineer makes an invention to help her relative.

32 pages· 818 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

6.1/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 13,069 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Rosie Revere, a quiet girl by day and inventive genius by night, dreams of engineering greatness. When her great-great-aunt Rose, the iconic Rosie the Riveter, visits with an unfinished dream of flying, Rosie builds a contraption to help. Though it crashes, Aunt Rose teaches her that failure is only real if you quit. With newfound courage, Rosie learns to celebrate her missteps and pursue her dreams with determination. Will she conquer her fear and soar to new heights? Discover the magic of resilience and creativity in this inspiring tale of persistence and innovation.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Sky Song

By Abi Elphinstone

A cursed girl and inventor seek a song to defeat an evil queen.

336 pages· 66,269 words· Est. 9 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,580 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: In the icy kingdom of Erkenwald, Eska, a girl with no memory, is imprisoned by the Ice Queen who steals voices to gain power. Young inventor Flint, on a mission to save his mother, inadvertently rescues Eska. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to find a forgotten song that could end the queen's reign and restore the voices of the people. As they traverse the treacherous Never Cliffs, they must confront their pasts and discover where they truly belong. Will they succeed before the queen's power becomes unstoppable?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2018

The Inventors at No. 8

By A. M. Morgen · Book #1 in the The Inventors at No. 8 series

A boy's luck changes when a girl and a flying machine lead him on a quest for a stolen treasure.

352 pages· 60,679 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 265 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: George, the unluckiest boy in London, faces losing everything. When a priceless map is stolen, Ada Byron, a brilliant inventor, offers her help. Together, they embark on a daring aerial adventure with a mischievous orangutan and a pirate's son. Can they reclaim George's legacy and find Ada's father, or will the skies hold more secrets than they imagined?

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