An uplifting book that will inspire children to dream often and dream big.
When children are asked what they want to be when they grow up, teacher, firefighter, astronaut, and influencer often top the list. Bristol’s kids are no different, which is why Career Day has Charli, Molly, and Emma buzzing with excitement. For these young girls, the possibilities for their future are as limitless as their imaginations. Molly and Emma are interested in apps and games, but Charli wants to learn about the engineers and the devices that power their favorite tech. As the assembly gets underway, the students enjoy all the professional presenters, but none more than Ms. Robin, an engineer who makes mobile devices. She explains her custom-built app that tracks items with GPS. The kids are impressed by the demonstration, especially when Ms. Robin reveals her upcoming work with the Bristol Aquarium. The story takes a clever turn when it transitions from Charli’s real-world classroom into a vivid daydream, where she imagines herself all grown up and running her own engineering firm. That daydream unfolds into a full project that includes brainstorming, designing, troubleshooting failures, and finally pulling off a successful field test. This progression not only highlights a realistic STEM career but also gives kids a genuine taste of what it means to work through a problem from start to finish.
A book that stirs imagination and encourages creativity, Charli’s Dorsal Device grows the characters and Bristol community that fans of the Engineering Adventures series have come to adore. Vicki Scott Burns has written an empowering book that will make kids want to start creating something the moment they put it down. The story features advanced technology concepts, like GPS systems, satellite signals, and computer programming, and keeps these ideas interesting and understandable for young readers. Callbacks to earlier characters in the series will make children feel like they are part of the story, while building on the STEM topics they already learned about. With shared age-appropriate interests and dialogue that feels natural, the friendship between the three girls is easy to root for, and the narrative nicely balances teaching moments with enough entertaining aspects to keep young ones involved. Dozens of colorful illustrations depicting expressive characters accompany the text, helping audiences visualize each exciting scene. Highlighting Charli’s favorite motto, “Anything is possible,” young readers will feel like they can accomplish whatever they set their minds on. With a focus on curiosity, persistence, and creativity, Charli’s Dorsal Device is an uplifting book that will inspire children to dream often and dream big.
