An Engineer Like Me: questions to ask and activities to try
How do roller coasters loop the loop? Zara is curious about everything. An Engineer Like Me is an empowering introduction to engineering and inventing.
What age is it for? An Engineer Like Me is best for ages 5–8. Good for: Curiosity, engineering and inventing things.
An Engineer Like Me (Shini Somara and Nadja Sarell)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Curiosity, engineering and inventing things
Read it, then look around for things engineers designed: bridges, lifts, bikes. Try building something together.
What it helps with
- Curiosity about how things work
- Engineering and invention
- Problem solving
- Girls in science and engineering
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did Zara wonder about?”
- “How do planes stay up?”
- “Which engineers did she learn about?”
- “What did she want to invent?”
- “What would you invent?”
- “What did engineers design in our house?”
5-minute activities to try together
Bridge build
Build a bridge from paper and test how many coins it holds.
Invention sketch
Draw an invention that solves a problem at home.
Free printables: An Engineer Like Me worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Ada Twist, Scientist (Andrea Beaty and David Roberts)
- Best for
- Endless questions, curiosity and science
- Age
- 4-8
The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires)
- Best for
- Frustration, persistence, making mistakes and trying again
- Age
- 4-8
Building a Home (Polly Faber and Klas Fahlén)
- Best for
- Diggers, builders and how a home gets made
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.