Rosie Revere, Engineer

Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

From the same team who created the ground-breaking book Iggy Peck, Architect (the first book in The Questioneers series), Rosie Revere, Engineer is packed with themes: self-belief, perseverance, passion, coping with failure, humour, science and technology – and girl power. But don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a book just for girls. Young boys will also love Andrea Beaty’s witty text, written in verse, and David Roberts’ playful illustrations full of the wacky details of Rosie’s inventions.

Rosie is a secret inventor who spends her nights inventing all kinds of gadgets. When great-great aunt Rose, an aeroplane builder, comes to stay, she tells Rosie about her one unfulfilled dream: to fly. With determination Rosie builds an aeroplane for her aunt Rose. Yet Rose considers Rosie’s invention a raging success, reminding the young engineer that the only true failure is when you quit.

Rosie shows grit and determination by persevering with her project, encouraging her school friends to join her. She learns that in order to follow your dreams you have to cope with failure along the way.

Published by Abrams Books (32 pages)

Reviewed by Jane Walker