Going Places

Going Places is a children's picture book about two students participating in their school's annual go-cart competition. The students approach the project with different perspectives and mindsets when building their entries. Rafael follows the provided kit instructions precisely, while his classmate Maya takes an unconventional path with her design. Their contrasting approaches lead them to collaborate on a unique project together. The story explores themes of creativity, innovation, and the value of thinking beyond established boundaries. Through its visual storytelling and spare text, the book illustrates how breaking from standard approaches can yield unexpected results and foster meaningful connections.

Parents, teachers and librarians appreciate this picture book's message about creativity and pursuing dreams in unconventional ways. Readers note it works well as a read-aloud for classroom discussions about thinking outside the box. Readers like: - The integration of STEM and artistic thinking - Rafael's friendship with Maya and their collaboration - The detailed illustrations that show the design process - The message that success comes in many forms Main criticisms: - Some find the story predictable - A few readers wanted more character development - The ending feels rushed to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (350+ ratings) Notable review quotes: "Shows kids they don't have to follow the crowd to achieve" -School librarian on Goodreads "The bike race narrative provides a perfect framework for discussing innovation" -Elementary teacher on Amazon "My engineering-minded daughter connects with the blueprint drawings" -Parent reviewer

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What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada A child nurtures a metaphorical idea from a tiny seed into a world-changing force.

Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg Each page transforms mistakes and accidents into possibilities through creative problem-solving.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds A teacher helps a student discover her artistic potential by starting with a single dot on paper.

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty A young inventor learns that failed attempts are stepping stones to success through her aviation project.

🌟 Peter H. Reynolds was inspired to write "Going Places" after observing how standardized testing and rigid educational approaches can limit children's creativity and innovation. 🚀 The book's main characters, Rafael and Maya, represent different approaches to problem-solving - Rafael follows instructions precisely while Maya thinks outside the box. 🛠️ The go-cart race featured in the story serves as a metaphor for how unconventional thinking and collaboration can lead to breakthrough solutions. 🎨 Reynolds deliberately used a minimalist illustration style with plenty of white space to encourage readers to fill in the blanks with their own imagination. 🌈 The book has been used in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curricula to demonstrate how creativity and engineering can work together.