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---> New Release!
Rube Goldberg's Big Book of Building: Make 25 Machines that Really Work!
By Jennifer George and Zach Umperovitch
Illustrated by me
Abrams Publishing

This book was seriously a labor of love, and I really have to say, it was worth it.  

I did something close to 500 drawings for this book, and that barely rivals the blood, sweat and tears that master machine builder, Zach Umperovich, put into this tome.  Unlike our middle reader and picture books, these machines are contraptions that are meant to be made at home, with stuff you probably have lying around the house!  If you don't believe me, each and every machine has a QR code link that takes you to a a video of Zach's build of that machine....WORKING...so you get to see first hand that each machine DOES work, and each has been tested umpteen times, and most even have a list of alternate items if you don't have some particular this or that in the description!  The amount of detail that went into this book is mind boggling, to say the least.

It's safe to say you won't find a better, funnier or more thorough STEM/STEAM book. Easily explaining and showing required materials, processes and procedures, fact boxes and horrible puns, simple machine and energy-transfer applications, and humorous scenarios where the machines work—or may not if you're not careful... Blank pages for recording notes and test results inspire experimentation, and the final chapters, filled with biographical data on Rube, his inventions, and legacy, plus detailed explorations of chain reaction models, flowcharts, and suggestions for substitutions and adaptations, will encourage inquiry. 

This book really needs to be seen to be believed.

PRAISE

***STARRED REVIEW***
"The book is a visual delight, with page-filling, bright, cartoon-like illustrations...This is a fun, eye-catching addition for...STEM collections."
—Booklist

"Steckley’s full-color artwork is fun and engaging and clearly depicts how the machines are supposed to work...A decent selection of inventions for patient kids who enjoy tinkering."
—Kirkus Reviews

 

Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines, Part I
Middle Reader
Written by Brandon T. Snider
Art by.... me.
Abrams Kids

The hilarious first book in an all-new illustrated middle-grade series starring young inventor Rube Goldberg

On the first day of middle school, Principal Kim announces that the school is going to throw a Contraption Convention—the perfect opportunity for young inventor Rube Goldberg to show off his inventions and get out of his summer-long funk.

But after a fight with his friends Pearl and Boob about where his priorities really lie, Rube’s Con Con entry gets off to a rocky start—and then strange incidents begin to throw the town into disarray. Boob is convinced it’s a ghost causing all of this chaos. Between Con Con, the ghostly mystery, and a new rival, Rube has his work cut out for him. But with the help of his friends, he might just get things back on track, get on top of his burgeoning anxieties, and come up with something brilliant before it’s time to face the judging table.

PRAISE

"Snider accurately conveys feelings of change and growth at a time when tweens are truly still children . . . Steckley’s black-and-white illustrations evoke the cluttered, mad-scientist feel of Rube’s workspace. . ." 
-Kirkus Reviews

Available as is (boring), signed and inscribed by me with included author book plate (better), OR... get a personalized inscription, complete with a sketch and author book plate (the best!)

Rube Goldberg and his Amazing Machines, Part II: The New Switcheroo

Written by Brandon T. Snider
Illustrated by, you guessed it, me
Abrams, October 2022


The hilarious follow-up to Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines by bestselling author Brandon T. Snider and featuring illustrations by award-winning artist Ed Steckley

After unintentionally unmasking a criminal mastermind at his school’s Contraption Convention, Rube Goldberg—and his inventions—are the talk of the sixth grade. Rube’s star is on the rise, and it’s a lot of pressure. What if he’s lost his mojo? There’s no time to wonder, because Rube and his two best friends, Boob and Pearl, are busy planning Pearl’s campaign for class president. With the Switcheroo Dance a weekend before the big election, Pearl’s path to victory is set. That is, until a new mystery strikes the town. Rube is eager to bring Zach into the fold, but Boob and Pearl can’t help but wonder if Rube’s mysterious new friend is hiding something . . . will Rube get his mojo back in time to unravel the mystery and save Pearl’s campaign?

Hijinks and hilarity abound in this dynamic follow-up to Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines, written by bestselling author Brandon T. Snider and featuring black-and-white illustrations by Ed Steckley.
 

Rube Goldberg and his Amazing Machines, part III: Engines of Change
Middle Reader series
Written by Brandon T. Snider
Illustrated by me. Neat.
Abrams

Engine of Change is the third title in the hilarious Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines series by bestselling author Brandon T. Snider and featuring black-and-white illustrations by award-winning artist Ed Steckley.

Evil Professor Zeero has disappeared, Superintendent Atwater has been put in his place, and all is right again in Beechwood . . . or is it?

When Rube Goldberg discovers the Null Corporation is building a giant machine in his beloved junkyard, he suspects something nefarious is at play. Then when he begins receiving anonymous messages from someone claiming to be an ally, he knows something is up. Together with his best friends Boob and Pearl, as well as friends like Reina, Lala, and Davin, Rube sets out to find out just what the company has planned for their town.

To throw a wrench in things, Rube’s dad has made an unexpected trip home, and Rube struggles to find the best way to share his new passion for problem-solving with the person he loves the most. Can Rube find all the answers he needs in time to save Beechwood?

Disguises, master plans, and, above all, Rube Goldberg Machines come together in this hilarious third title in the Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines series.

Written in Consultation with the Rube Goldberg Institute for Innovation & Creativity

Rube Goldberg's Simply Normal Definitely Different Day Off
Written by Jennifer George
Illustrated by... me.
AbramsKids, 2022

Follow along with young inventor Rube Goldberg on his day off from school in this wacky, STEAM-focused picture book

A “definitely different” follow-up to Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School Day, written by Jennifer George, the granddaughter of Rube Goldberg, and illustrated by award-winning artist Ed Steckley. They imagine Rube Goldberg as a young inventor who builds complex machines to solve simple, everyday problems. Follow along as he invents zany chain-reaction contraptions to have the best day off from school ever—including a simple way to play fetch in the yard without leaving your bedroom, a self-operating swing, and a super simple series of movie snacking machines.

(They're all all pen & ink on illustration board, with Windsor & Newton watercolors and Dr. Ph. Marten's dyes.  For the artsy-fartsy-curious-y types!)

Some interior samples:

Clicky to embiggen...


Click to make bigger-er...


Click to see all the small stuff...
 

Rube Goldberg's Simple Normal Humdrum School Day!  
Written by Jennifer George, and drawn by me
AbramsKids, 2017

To help little Rube get through his day, he builds ridiculous machines to perform otherwise ordinary tasks.  
From getting out of bed, getting dressed and making breakfast, to doing homework and going to bed, the entire day is depicted in the goofy world of Rube Goldberg.
Great for fans of STEM and STEAM, curious kids and thoughtful parents and teachers!

40 pages, including 15 two page machine spreads.  

All books are signed and shipped to your door.  For an extra fee I'll do little sketch and personalize the book to whomever you choose!