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Rachel Williams' books

Penelope Stands Strong: A Fun Introduction to Structural Engineering - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

A stop at Papa Puzzle's engineering office on the way to a puppet show turns out to be an experience that Penelope, Paige, and Paxton can really build on. At Papa Puzzle's office, the three friends are introduced to structural engineering, the branch of civil engineering responsible for some of the world's most iconic structures. While Papa Puzzle is busy at work, Penelope, Paige, and Paxton explore the office and discover that structural engineering involves much more than skyscrapers and bridges. The engineers they meet show them how their work helps create the countless structures we depend on every day. The experience opens the children's eyes to the engineered world around them. From stages and seats to buildings and towers, they learn that structural engineers combine creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving to design the structures that are safe, functional, and built to last. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige &...

Parker Finds His Perfect Fit: A Fun Introduction to Math - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Parker is counting down the days until Sunday. He has discovered his perfect fit and can't wait to share the news with his family. That's when the entire Puzzle clan, including his cousins Paige and Paxton, gathers at Grandmama and Grandpapa Puzzle's house for a special family dinner. As the family catches up, Grandmama Puzzle leads a lively discussion about math and the countless ways it shapes our everyday lives. Through familiar experiences, she helps the cousins discover that numbers, shapes, patterns, and problem-solving are woven into the world around them, often in places they least expect. Young readers learn that math is much more than a school subject. They discover that anyone can become good at math with determination, practice, and a willingness to keep trying. Encouraging a growth mindset while building confidence, the story helps children see math not as something to fear, but as a valuable tool...

Penelope Finds Her Perfect Fit: A Fun Introduction to Engineering - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paige and Paxton are determined to help their friend Penelope find her perfect fit. In Puzzleland, every puzzle piece is different, and each has a perfect fit, something he or she loves to do. Paige and Paxton have already discovered theirs, so they turn their attention to Penelope. When Papa Puzzle and his engineering cousins offer to help, Paige and Paxton are skeptical. But as the engineers explain the many ways they shape the world around them, Penelope begins to see engineering in a whole new light. From buildings, bridges, and airplanes to cities and the products we use every day, engineers help make modern life possible. In the end, Penelope not only finds her perfect fit, but the three friends also discover an important engineering lesson: there is often more than one way to solve a problem. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton series, this engaging...

Paxton Finds His Perfect Fit: A Fun Introduction to Technology - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paxton is searching for his perfect fit. In Puzzleland, every puzzle piece is different, but each has a perfect fit, something he or she loves to do. For Paxton, there’s a heightened sense of urgency because big sister Paige has already found hers. In this heartwarming tale of perseverance and friendly sibling rivalry, Paxton sets out to find where he belongs. He gains a fresh perspective on technology, discovering that it is much more than computers and devices. Technology is all around us, helping us to solve countless problems and making our lives easier every day. Through imaginative storytelling, lovable puzzle piece characters, and age-appropriate STEM concepts, young readers are encouraged to tackle challenges, and keep trying when things don't go as planned. As Paxton explores his interests and abilities, he learns that finding the right fit often takes patience, resilience, and an open mind. Part of the STEM Adventures...

Paige Finds Her Perfect Fit: A Fun Introduction to Science - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paige is determined to find her perfect fit. In Puzzleland, every puzzle piece is different, and each has a perfect fit, something he or she loves to do. But Paige hasn't discovered hers yet. Join this curious little puzzle piece on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates questions, setbacks, and the unexpected in search of her passion. What begins as a personal quest soon becomes an engaging introduction to the nature of science and the way scientists explore the world around them. As the story unfolds, young readers learn the foundations of scientific inquiry: asking questions, making observations, conducting experiments, and learning from the results. But the most important lesson is that mistakes and failures are not obstacles to success but essential steps in the process of learning, growth, and discovery. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton series, this inspiring adventure introduces children to fundamental STEM...

Penelope Wraps It Up: A Fun Introduction to Packaging Engineering - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Penelope, Paige, and Paxton have an important task at hand: shopping for their school carnival. Their final stop is Puzzleland Emporium, a giant store packed with everything the three friends could ever want or imagine. As they explore the aisles, the friends discover packaging engineering, a field that often goes unnoticed but touches nearly every part of our lives. A simple trip to the store provides an eye-opening look at how engineers design boxes, containers, and packages to protect products, reduce waste, and make everyday items safer and easier to use. The adventure also reveals a surprising truth: we live in a world shaped by engineering. From airplanes, computers, bridges, and skyscrapers to the packages that carry and protect the things we use every day, engineers are constantly creating solutions to real-world challenges. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton series, this delightful adventure introduces children to fundamental...

Paige & Paxton Get with the Program: A Fun Introduction to Coding - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

From Paige and Paxton's perspective, it seems like grown-ups are always telling them what to do. Luckily, Grandmama Puzzle has an exciting day planned for the precocious siblings. Together, they'll attend a Make-a-thon, where inventors, creators, and computer programmers are imagining the next generation of technology. At first, Paige and Paxton aren't sure what to expect. But as they explore the Make-a-thon, they discover the fascinating world of coding, also known as computer programming, the foundation of much of the technology we use every day. Watching programmers transform ideas into new products, new tools, and new ways of doing things, the siblings learn how creativity, logic, and problem-solving come together to turn imagination into innovation. The experience opens their eyes to the power of coding and the role it plays in creating the technologies that shape our lives. Just as importantly, the story reminds readers that innovation transcends age and...

Paige & Paxton Go Green: A Fun Introducion to Botany - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paige and Paxton spend a day helping out Mama Puzzle at her florist shop. It's a chance for the siblings to get their hands dirty and gain a deeper understanding of something we see every day but may not think much about: plants. What begins as a day of playful mischief soon grows into an exciting exploration of botany and photosynthesis. As Paige and Paxton discover how plants grow and flourish, young readers learn what botanists do, how photosynthesis works, and why plant life plays an important role in ecosystems. Through whimsical storytelling and child-friendly explanations, complex scientific concepts become easy to understand. Since its publication in 2014, educators, scientists, and parents have praised the book for its explanation of photosynthesis, calling it a definition that “even a child can understand.” Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton series, this engaging adventure invites children to grow their understanding...

Paige & Paxton in the Elements: A Fun Introduction to Chemistry - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paige and Paxton are headed to Corner Pastries to order a cake for their dad's birthday party. Corner Pastries is an amazing place filled with mouth-watering baked delights. A simple trip to pick out a cake soon becomes a delicious science adventure. Who knew that a bakery is really a lot like a chemistry lab? As Paige and Paxton explore the ingredients, recipes, and transformations happening behind the scenes, they discover that chemistry is the science that provides the "recipe" for everything in the universe that matters. Set against the backdrop of a bustling bakery, this delightful adventure introduces young readers to atoms, molecules, the building blocks of matter, and even the basics of the Periodic Table of Elements. Alongside the charming puzzle piece characters, children absorb core chemistry concepts and vocabulary without feeling like they're sitting through a science lesson. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton...

Penelope Gets a Flying Start: A Fun Introduction to Aerospace Engineering - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Penelope, Paige, Paxton, Parker, and their puzzle pals had a blast at summer camp learning about the science of flight from aerospace engineers. Now they're headed to an airplane factory to see where the engineers work. Tag along on the best field trip ever as four friends explore aerospace engineering, the field responsible for one of the modern wonders of the world: air and space travel. The work is complex, but the goal is simple: make sure airplanes, rockets, and other flying machines take off, go where we want them to go, and land safely. Through imaginative storytelling, lovable puzzle piece characters, and real-world engineering concepts, young readers discover how aerospace engineers solve problems, design innovative technologies, and help make flight possible. Along the way, Paige, Paxton, Penelope, and Parker learn that teamwork, creativity, and careful thinking are just as important as math and science in the engineering process. Part...

Paige & Paxton Discover a Piece of the Past: A Fun Introduction to Paleontology - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

When Paige and Paxton visit the wise and lovable Grandpapa Puzzle, there's always something fun to do. But fun is just one piece of the adventure. The visit with their grandfather leads Paige and Paxton on an exciting exploration of paleontology, the science of studying prehistoric life. Building on children's natural fascination with dinosaurs and even the spelling of their names, Paige and Paxton discover how paleontologists use clues from the past to learn about creatures that lived long ago. Fueled by curiosity and a fascination with dinosaurs, young readers are encouraged to ask questions, make observations, and investigate the natural world around them. The story fosters a deeper appreciation for the work of paleontologists and how they piece together clues to uncover Earth's prehistoric history. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton series, this engaging adventure introduces children to fundamental STEM principles through the childhood experiences of...

Paige & Paxton Weather the Storm: A Fun Introduction to Meteorology - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paige and Paxton are fed up. It has been raining for five days, and they haven't been able to play outside. Things start to look brighter when their grandparents invite them on a tour of the local television station, where they'll finally get to meet their favorite television stars. But at the station, things don't go quite as planned. Instead of meeting celebrities, Paige and Paxton find themselves in the television weather center, where the meteorologists really clear things up. What begins as a rainy-day disappointment soon turns into an exciting exploration of the science behind weather forecasting. Young readers discover how meteorologists study weather patterns, make predictions, and help communities prepare for changing conditions. The experience leaves Paige and Paxton with a new appreciation for the science behind every sunny day, cloudy afternoon, and rainstorm. Part of the STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton series, this engaging adventure introduces...

Paige & Paxton Discover a Small World: A Fun Introduction to Microbiology - STEM Adventures with Paige & Paxton

Genres: Children's Nonfiction, Nature/Science, Children's general
Formats: Paperback
Age Groups: 2-5, 5-8

Paxton has a sore throat, so his mother takes him to the doctor. His older sister, Paige, tags along just to make trouble. During Paxton's exam, the siblings are horrified to learn that there are tiny creatures living in Paxton's mouth and in ours, too! What begins as an ordinary doctor's visit soon turns into an amazing scientific expedition into the small world of microorganisms. As Paige and Paxton explore this fascinating microscopic world, they discover that the tiny creatures living there are a lot like everyone else: some are helpful and some are harmful. Through the whimsical adventures of these lovable puzzle piece siblings, young readers are introduced to the exciting field of microbiology in a way that feels more like a story than a science lesson. With playful sibling banter, memorable characters, and easy-to-understand explanations of germs, microbes, and healthy habits, children naturally absorb key STEM concepts while...