The Engineer's Duck: World of Engineering — Who Is It For?

How do you introduce engineering to a child who doesn't yet know what an engineer does?

That was the starting point for The Engineer's Duck.

As an engineer and a parent, I wanted to make the subject approachable through storytelling. A young reader doesn't need a technical explanation of every discipline before they can become curious about how things work.

They need somewhere to start.

For us, that starting point is a young engineer called Lon Lon and his feathered friend, TED-e.

What is The Engineer's Duck: World of Engineering?

World of Engineering is the first picture book in The Engineer's Duck series.

It introduces young readers to the characters and different kinds of engineering through rhyming text, colourful illustrations and point-and-follow reading prompts.

I wrote the book, and Mari Acierda illustrated it. Together, the words and pictures are intended to make engineering something you can explore during shared reading at home or in a classroom.

The themes at the heart of it are curiosity and kindness. Finding out how things work matters. So does thinking about who you can help.

You can meet the characters and explore the book here.

Who is it for?

The paperback's suggested reading age is 4–7.

That's a guide to choosing the book, rather than a requirement for your child. Interests and reading experience vary, so take a look at the book and consider whether its pictures and subject will appeal to them.

It is written for shared reading. Your child doesn't need to read independently to enjoy listening, pointing and asking questions.

It may also appeal to parents, grandparents and engineers who want a way to share their interest in the subject with a young reader.

And you don't need to be an engineer to read it aloud. You're allowed to discover things together.

What will you find inside?

The paperback is 34 pages, with rhyming language and illustrations introducing the world of engineering.

The point-and-follow prompts give children another way to participate while you read. Depending on what interests your child, you might follow a prompt, talk about a picture or simply enjoy the rhythm of the words.

World of Engineering introduces the subject broadly. It isn't a project manual, a textbook or a set of instructions for building working machines.

Think of it as a first look into a much bigger world.

My hope is that it leaves room for a question afterwards. What does that engineer do? Where have we seen something like that? What would you like to find out more about?

A simple way to read it together

On your first reading, enjoy the book.

You don't need to stop and explain every concept. Follow your child's attention and let them get to know Lon Lon and TED-e.

On another reading, choose a picture or idea they noticed. Ask one question and see where it goes.

For example, you could ask which kind of engineering they would like to explore. Afterwards, look for engineering in an ordinary place: a bridge you pass, the water coming from a tap or a toy with moving parts.

These are optional ways to extend the conversation, rather than activities promised inside the book.

For more ideas, I've put together a guide to using picture books to teach problem solving.

Is this the same as I Can Help Fix It?

They're different books.

World of Engineering is the introductory picture book, with a suggested paperback reading age of 4–7.

Phonics & Sight Words with The Engineer's Duck: I Can Help Fix It is a separate Level 1 early reader, intended for children around ages 5–6 who are beginning to practise reading.

If you're looking for a book to read aloud while introducing engineering, start by looking at World of Engineering. If you're looking for early reading practice, take a closer look at I Can Help Fix It and consider how it matches the sounds and words your child is learning.

The familiar duck connects the books, but they serve different purposes.

Where can you get a copy?

You can view the World of Engineering paperback in our shop for the current product details and ordering options.

If you'd like to look around first, The Engineer's Duck page introduces the characters and the thinking behind the books.

What I wanted to create was a friendly beginning: a story you could share, a subject worth exploring and a little duck to come along for the journey.

You don't need your child to have decided what they want to be.

Curiosity is a good place to start.

Andrew Sario

Engineering IRL Publishing