One of the great things about working at Brilliant Labs is that a number of us have the pleasure of travelling to different maker learning environments throughout Atlantic Canada. We have seen everything from maker kits, carts, classrooms and expansive makerspaces where the maker culture permeates across an entire school and community. Each space is unique in the experience it helps to provide to the young makers it serves. This post however is about one area in particular of a classroom makerspace that I don’t always see, but when I do, there is an immediate comfort of familiarity that makes me want to stay a while longer: the Young Maker’s Library.
At their core, makers are prone to share their maker journeys. It is common to see written resources in makerspaces that take the form of technical manuals, instructional tutorials, how-to guides or larger tombs of reference material. While I find myself getting lost in the pages of any of these resources, I have had almost four decades to refine my geeky appreciation for words on pages – this may not be so for our youngest of makers. That’s why I am always so thrilled to have so many children’s book authors dedicated to helping our youth articulate the value of the maker spirit. In fact, when I find myself in a classroom makerspace with a Young Maker’s Library, I often marvel at how captivating and accessible the author’s short messages are to all makers.
Enough suspense. I have to tell you about my latest favourite in young maker literature. “Be a Maker” written by Katey Howes and beautifully illustrated by Elizabet Vuković, shares the creative journey of a maker as they consider their experiences, choose their materials and in a world where your possibilities are seemingly infinite, your maker journey can culminate in an opportunity to simply do good. I’ve had the chance to connect with author Katey Howes and have shared how enthusiastic our young makers are here in Atlantic Canada and she has met that enthusiasm with her own by inviting our young makers to a Read Aloud of her book.
Brilliant Labs is proud to announce that Katey will be joining us for two virtual events:
Update: The VIP Read Aloud of “Be a Maker” was May 13th. If you missed it you can watch the full video below.
Congratulations to Andrew from Dartmouth, NS, who will be receiving a signed copy of “Be A Maker” . Through a random draw 10 other registrants will receive a copy of the book.
Brilliance in the Making: Conversations
Join Brilliant Labs’ as we discuss implications of maker culture on our communities with author Katey Howes
Wednesday, May 20th at 2:00 PM ADT & 2:30 in Newfoundland This event will be available here.
We have great news! You can get a copy of “Be a Maker” and read along with author Katey Howes.
Be a Maker by by Katey Howes (Author), Elizabet Vuković (Illustrator)
“Be a Maker” by Katey Howes and Illustrated by ElizabetV uković. Published by Carol Rhoda Books a division of Lerner Publishing Group.
*The “Be a Maker” book contest is open to all who register on or before May 12, 2020. This is a random draw: May 12 at 11:59am. Winners will be contacted via email with instructions (Brilliant Labs staff and families are not eligible for this contest).
Elizabeth Vuković (Illustrator)
