OTT 250: STEM Books That Win Over Reluctant Readers

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Ever noticed how some kids love science and building but turn away from books? That disconnect isn't just frustrating—it's a missed opportunity for deeper learning. What if we could harness their natural STEM enthusiasm to ignite a love for reading?

In this episode, we dive into three exceptional STEM-themed books that captivate reluctant readers by connecting directly to their curiosity and creative instincts. Ada Twist, Scientist shows children that reading can be part of the investigation process, encouraging them to develop their own experiments inspired by Ada's adventures. What Do You Do With an Idea? transforms abstract concepts into hands-on building opportunities, allowing children to explore and express their own ideas through making. And Iggy Peck, Architect bridges engineering challenges with literacy, getting kids moving, building, and thinking critically while engaging with text.

These aren't just reading recommendations—they're complete learning experiences. For each book, we break down exactly why certain children resist reading, how these particular stories address those barriers, and step-by-step activities that extend the reading experience into meaningful STEM challenges. You'll discover how to transform reading from a passive activity into an active, creative process that honors how these children naturally learn and engage with the world.

Whether you're a teacher planning for the upcoming school year or a parent trying to keep learning alive during summer, these strategies require minimal prep while delivering maximum engagement. The secret lies in starting with books that connect to your child's natural curiosities, then giving them opportunities to create something meaningful from what they've read. Ready to make reading irresistible? Grab our free "After the Fall" building challenge in the show notes and subscribe for more practical ideas that blend literacy with hands-on learning.

🎁 Bonus! Download my STEM Story Connection Focusing on Grit in After the Fall 
👉 https://www.trinadeboreeteachingandlearning.com/grit
👉https://www.trinadeboreeteachingandlearning.com/for-the-love-of-reading

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to One Tired Teacher.
Episode 250, make STEM FunThree Books Kids Actually Want
to Read.
So today we are talking aboutwe're taking books that really
combine science, building orfiguring things out, because for

(00:20):
those kids that sometimes arelike, they love that but they
don't love reading, not so much.
So what if we use their love ofSTEM to bring books to life?
In today's episode, I'm sharingthree high-interest STEM-themed
books that inspire curiosityand literacy, plus fun
activities that take thelearning beyond the page.

(00:40):
Hope you stick around.
Page.
Hope you stick around.
Welcome to One Tired Teacher.
And even though she may need anap, this teacher is ready to
wake up and speak her truthabout the trials and treasures
of teaching here.
She is wide awake.
Wait, she's not asleep rightnow, is she?

(01:01):
She is awake right?
Okay, from Trina Debery,teaching and Learning.
Your host, trina Devery.
Hey, so today we're going totalk about three STEM books that
reluctant readers will actuallyenjoy.
We're going to talk aboutmatching makerspace, activities

(01:29):
to reinforce comprehension andways to keep it simple, fun and
low prep.
All right.
So we're we're like nearingtowards the end of June.
Maybe you're starting to thinkabout what you want to do
differently in your classroomnext year.
Maybe you're thinking you knowwhat?
I have been listening to yourSTEM and Makerspace episodes all
summer long, trina, and I'mreally thinking that maybe I
want to incorporate Makerspacein my classroom because I see

(01:50):
the value, I see what this cando for my reluctant readers and
I know when my reluctant readerslove reading it's going to
change everything.
So if you're feeling like thatand you're like yes, yes, yes,
then keep listening.
So if you're feeling like thatand you're like yes, yes, yes,
then keep listening.
So let's start with book numberone.
Book number one is Ada TwistScientist by Andrea Beatty.

(02:12):
Such a cute story, such a funbook to do.
Ada is just such an imaginativeyoung girl who just the sky is
the limit it's unbelievable.
Young girl who just the sky isthe limit it's unbelievable.
So kids who ask like questionsevery five minutes, which we
know they often do, especiallywhen they're really little, when

(02:32):
they ask that they don't reallysee reading as a part of their
curiosity, because if they did,they would know that they could
jump into a book and find someof the answers, some of those
questions into a book and findsome of the answers, some of
those questions, and that'soften the problem is that they
don't see reading as a solution.
So what can we do to shift that?
We can invite them toexperiment.

(02:54):
We can invite them toinvestigate, just like ada does
in ada twist.
Help them.
We even want to start withsomething like what's a question
you want to investigate?
Like Ada, you know, we can helpthem create a mini science
experiment and write down whatthey learn.
Why does this work?
This works because it connectsreading to real life interests.

(03:20):
It also builds storytelling andscientific thinking side by
side.
Moving on to book number two,this is one of my favorites what
do you do with an idea by KobeYamada?
Kobe Yamada writes the bestbooks and they always get kids
thinking and often can get kidsbuilding.
So sometimes the struggle issome kids don't see the value in

(03:45):
just reading.
They don't see it yet.
So how can we shift thisproblem?
We can let them turn the storyinto something that they can
build.
We can ask questions aboutwhat's an idea that you had
lately.
Have them sketch and buildusing simple materials, even

(04:06):
like the ones that you see herewith the Play-Doh and the blocks
, or the art supplies, orrecyclables Anything simple.
Why does this work?
This work because we tap tapsinto creativity and imagination
and it encourages ownership ofthought and the story.
And one of the things thathappens in what Do you Do With

(04:27):
An Idea is this young boy.
He feels like he doesn't knowwhat to do and this idea is like
following him around and he'sjust trying to figure out, like
he's trying to figure out hisway, which often is how kids can
feel, so it's very relatable inthat sense.
All right, let's look at booknumber three.

(04:48):
Book number three Iggy PeckArchitect.
Ah, iggy Peck another book byAndrea Beatty, such such a good
author.
We often notice that kids getbored when reading feels like
passive time.
So in books like Iggy Peck andyou know the Iggy Peck Architect

(05:09):
and Ada Twist these books feelmore like doing, and in this
case we want to give them areason to move and create.
That's the shift we want tomake.
We challenge them to build atower or shelter using only five
materials.
Iggy builds some incrediblestructures in the book Iggy Peck
, and so this will hopefullymotivate them to get moving, get

(05:32):
creating.
We want to read, build, test,revise, review, reflect all the
important critical thinkingsteps, all the important
critical thinking steps.
So why does this work.
This works because it pairsengineering skills with
comprehension and it getsreluctant readers up and engaged

(05:55):
.
All right, so final thoughts fortoday.
You want to make readingirresistible.
Start with a book that connectsto your child's natural
curiosities and let them createsomething from what they read.
I have a freebie for you.
You can grab it down below.
It's a challenge for the bookafter the fall and it's helping

(06:17):
Humpty build, you know, buildhis comeback.
So it gets kids building andthinking.
And if you want a little moreinformation, you feel like I
need to go deeper into this.
I have a workshop for the loveof reading unlocking the joy of
reading and transforming yourchild's attitude toward books in
just minutes a day.

(06:37):
And if you've liked what you'veheard, give me a thumbs up.
Give me a comment below.
Liked what you've heard?
Give me a thumbs up.
Give me a comment below.
Share this with a friend anddefinitely make sure you
subscribe.
All right, that's it for today.
Bye for now.
Until next time.
Sweet dreams and sleep tight.