5 Picture Books To Bring Out The Carpenter In Your Child

Monkey with a Tool Belt, by Chris Monroe
Chico Bon-Bon is one awesome monkey. He doesn’t just sit around trees eating bananas, he snaps on his amazing tool belt full of gadgets, gizmos and tools to build and fix everything and anything. But the real adventure occurs when an evil organ grinder wants to kidnap Chico for his circus. Young and older readers will love the comic book feel of the illustrations, as well as the variety of storytelling methods used in the text, including rhyming, lists, and boxes.
The extra-cool part about reading this one with your children is not only learning about all the tools Chico uses, but following the sub-stories being told through the illustrations. It’s a book you can read over and over again and always find something new to explore.

Whose Tools?, by Toni Buzzeo and Jim Datz
This might be a board book, but it certainly a fun read for all ages. It features over twenty tools being used by men and woman of different backgrounds and specialties. My kiddos love to guess the tools and who is using them! Also, the pictures are adorable and make the process of building a house both fun and educational.

Tools Rule!, by Aaron Meshon
Being a tool means being part of a team: After all, a hammer can’t do its job without a nail. This book not only teaches kids the names and identities of tools, but also tells the story of them working together to build a home—a tool shed of their own. And every child will love the sound effects each of the tools makes! A great message and sweet illustrations make for an awesome read for your little handy-kid.

Does a Woodpecker Use a Hammer?, by Harriet Ziefert and Emily Bolam
This book has a clever and unique approach to how tools are used in different situations, including an explanation of the ways that animals use tools that we may not have ever realized. Kids will love the question and answer sequence in the text, as well as the amazing discoveries they’ll make throughout the story. A fun and highly informative read that will educate and entertain even parents!

My First Bilingual Book—Tools, by Milet Publishing
When my daughter first learned to count in Spanish she thought it was absolutely amazing. Since then, she has loved to learn more and more Spanish words. This book is a great visual opportunity for your little carpenter to not only learn about tools, but also to find out the names of those tools in Spanish. A great way to broaden their vocabulary as well as their love of all things building and creating.
What tool books do your handy kids love?