Kids love robots! And they love reading too. Ranging from preschool to teen, this selection of books includes fiction and nonfiction, activity books and maker manuals, all to help inspire the kids in your life to get into robotics.
Robots, Robots Everywhere! – Sue Flies (2013)
2-5 years
“On the ground and in the air, Robots, robots everywhere! . . . Up in space, beneath the seas, Robots make discoveries . . .” A nice little board book for little kids.
Boy and Bot – Ame Dyckman (2012)
2-5 years
A sweet story about a boy and his bot – a great bedtime story for little ones.
R Is for Robot: A Noisy Alphabet – Adam F. Watkins (2014)
3-5 years
Robots build the alphabet! Featuring hilarious robots making goofy noises, this book is perfect for young readers.
Clink – Kelly DiPucchio and Matthew Myers (2011)
4-8 years
When this robot goes out of date, a child helps him find a new lease in life. From the award-winning author of Corduroy.
Welcome to your awesome robot – Viviane Schwarz (2013)
4 years and up
A girl and her mother turn a simple cardboard box into the robot of their dreams. Half story book, half activity book, this is perfect material for a fun family activity day or a kids workshop.
Cool Robots – Sean Kenney (2010)
4-8 years
Simple descriptions and designs for creating your own Lego robots.
National Geographic Readers: Robots – Melissa Stewart (2014)
6-9 years
Photo-packed book showing kids real robots, and the science behind them.
Recycled Robots: 10 Robot Projects – Robert Malone (2012)
8 years and up
How to make ten different robots—that move—out of the most ordinary things from around the house.
LEO the Maker Prince: Journeys in 3D Printing – Carla Diana (2013)
8 years and up
LEO the Maker Prince teaches children (both young and old) about 3D printing.
Awesome Space Robots – Michael O’Hearn (2013)
Ages 8-12
Learn about incredible space robots and the amazing things that they have discovered about our solar system.
House of Robots – James Patterson (2014)
Ages 8-12
Sammy’s mother is an inventor, and their house is filled with her robots, which do everything from housework to tutoring. Plenty of humor of the same genre as Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Make Your Own Robot – Laurence King (2012)
8 years and up
Fifteen colorful punch-out robot designs with interchangeable parts make a great rainy day activity.
Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage: A Mystery with Hoverbots, Bristle Bots, and Other Robots You Can Build Yourself – Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith (2014)
9-12 years
A mystery story that contains the blueprints to build five different robots projects. Make bristlebots that buzz, hoverbots that float above the ground, battlebots that duke it out, and more! Can Nick and Tesla catch the criminal mastermind—and foil his army of rampaging robots—before it’s too late?
Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects (Build it yourself) – Kathey Ceceri and Sam Carbaugh (2012)
9-12 year olds
Step-by-step instructions for building real robot models using ordinary craft materials and parts salvaged from recycled toys and other household devices. Kids will learn how to create working robot hands, hydraulic arms, sensors, solar-powered robots, light-seeking robots and more.
The LEGO Technic Idea Book: Simple Machines – Yoshihito Isogawa (2010)
10 years and up
A collection of hundreds of working examples of simple Technic models of gears, shafts, pulleys, turntables, connectors, that you can build based on their pictures alone.
The Art of Robots – Amid Amidi
12 years and up
A look at the early visual development of the Pixar film Robots. If you loved the movie, you’ll love the book.
Robo World: The Story of Robot Designer Cynthia Breazeal – Jordan D. Brown (2005)
12 years and up
Who could be more inspiring to a budding young roboticist than sociable robotics expert Cynthia Breazeal? Though this book was written in 2005 and looks at her earlier work, Jibo’s emergence is bound to make this book resonate once again. If you’re looking to inspire a girl, check out also Dazzling Women Designers by Jill Bryant.
Robot Builder’s Bonanza – Gordon McComb (2011)
Ages 12 and up
A classic introduction to building robots – now in its 4th edition. Well organized, easy to understand and fun!
Arduino Robot Bonanza – Gordon McComb (2013)
Ages 12 and up
An easy and fun introduction to building Arduino by the author of the classic Robot Builder’s Bonanza – no special tools or knowledge required!
Caleb-Seven (Children of Eden series) – James Andrew Wilson
Ages 12 and up
Caleb-Seven isn’t just another robot, he’s been created to be given to the king, who is childless, and who wants this robot to be blank slate that can be molded into a surrogate son. But Caleb is bent on escaping his fate.
Robohub is an online platform that brings together leading communicators in robotics research, start-ups, business, and education from around the world. Learn more about us here. If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
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