Please welcome my guest today, New York Times bestselling illustrator Amber Ren with her list of STEM picture books with BIPOC characters. She says, “Many kids (and adults, let’s be honest) find math intimidating and scary, but it doesn’t have to be!”
Her picture book, Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y, takes math and combines it with baking! We are giving away a copy of Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
STEM Picture Books with BIPOC Characters
Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y by Eugenia Cheng, illustrated by Amber Ren
Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y by mathematician and author Eugenia Cheng and New York Times bestselling illustrator Amber Ren takes STEM concepts and turns them on their heads with an activity that many kids already participate in and enjoy: baking. This fun and colorful picture book teaches kids the simple mathematics behind baking and reassures young readers that this subject can be easy, relatable to real-world experiences, and even fun — especially when paired with pie.
Featuring a cast of AAPI characters and brought to life by an AAPI author and illustrator, this delightful book features additional back matter, including a letter from Eugenia encouraging readers not to be intimidated by math, explanations of the math concepts explored in the book, and a recipe for Banana Butterscotch Pie that can be used for a baking activity with adult supervision. This is the perfect book for little ones who are hesitant about mathematics and STEM. . . and all aspiring young pastry chefs! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Future Engineer by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Allison Black
Future Engineer by Lori Alexander is an adorable board book about babies dreaming of becoming engineers. Turns out that babies and engineers have much in common! The illustrations are very cute and appealing. I also love that the illustrator Allison Black made sure to include children from different backgrounds as well. This is a perfect book that shows children can be anything they want to be. [board book, ages 2 and up]
The Nature Girls by Aki
The Nature Girls by Aki is a delightful read that follows a diverse group of little girls as they traverse the wonders of different biomes and meet their inhabitants. Aki’s illustrations are charming and cute. It’s a fun way for kids to learn about the world we live in. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Georgia’s Terrific, Colorific Experiment by Zoe Persico
Georgia’s Terrific, Colorific Experiment by Zoe Persico follows the story of a determined Georgia as she finds out that art and science do mix! I adore the illustrations in this book. It is very colorful and bold and full of little details that are fun to look at. It is a great book that will inspire many little girls to experiment beyond the realm of possibilities. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker is a picture book biography of the incredible mathematician Katherine Johnson who was instrumental to NASA during the space race and beyond. It’s an empowering true story and Phumiruk’s delicate, expressive illustrations really bring Katherine’s struggle to life. It’s a must-read that will inspire many generations of WOC mathematicians to come. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Mélina Mangal, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
The Vast Wonder of the World by Mélina Mangal tells the life of scientist Ernest Everett who made significant contributions to cell biology that deserves wider recognition. Uribe did an amazing job depicting Everett’s life and discoveries in a stunning palette. It’s a great introduction to a pioneering scientist who persisted despite hardships. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y GIVEAWAY!
We are giving away a copy of Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.
Amber Ren is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Because by Mo Willems. She currently works as a visual development artist for Dreamworks TV, and her work has been featured in the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art’s first online exhibition, Art in Place: Social Distancing in the Studio. She lives in Southern California. She invites you to visit her at amber-ren.com.
p.s. Related posts:
Our 10 Favorite Math Picture Books
Best Picture Books That Teach Math Concepts
Place Value Math for Kids with Books, Game, and Music Video
111 (also known as 7) Math Picture Books to Count On
Best Non-Fiction Animal Picture Books That Teach Math
Book Lists with Science and Math Concepts
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My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
My favorites include The Case of the Ad That Subtracts and Other True Math Mysteries for You to Solve and That Figures!: Tips and Tricks for Acing Math.
no fav
Bake Infinite Pie with X + Y is my favorite