An Engineer Like Me

by Shini Somara, Nadja Sarell (Illustrator)

Inventive illustrations and an empowering story combine to introduce young readers to the world of engineering, creative thinking and problem-solving.

Zara is curious about everything! Travelling around the city with her gran, she sees all kinds of fascinating things. How do roller coasters do loop-the-loops? How do planes stay up? As she marvels about how they work, Zara learns about some of the brilliant engineers who have shaped the world around her. Soon she can't wait to start creating her own amazing inventions and become an engineer too!

With pages encouraging kids to try out their very own engineering experiments such as constructing the perfect paper aeroplane and safely dropping an egg from a height, this brilliant picture book written by engineer and TV presenter Dr Shini Somara unlocks a love of engineering and celebrates women in STEM.

The first book in an exciting new series. Still to come:
- A Scientist Like Me
- A Coder Like Me
- A Mathematician Like Me

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Technology, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Dr. Shini Somara was awarded a Doctorate in Engineering in 2004 for her development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a digital simulation tool used by mechanical engineers to visualise how gases and liquids flow.

​By predicting the behaviour of air around aircraft wings, Formula1 cars and buildings, (for example), CFD can help engineers optimise engineering design.

​Shini specialised in fluid dynamics within "enclosed spaces" - which has been a focal point during the pandemic, where CFD was useful in understanding how air particles transport COVID19 in buildings.

Dr. Somara’s expertise in fluid dynamics has led her to speak at academic conferences on the ‘built environment’. She continues to speak and moderate panel discussions with experts, across a broad range of science and technology events.

​Her passion, knowledge and fascination for innovation has led to multiple TV appearances as an engineering expert on Sky, Discovery, The Science Channel, UKTV, Yesterday Channels.

Since 2012, ​Dr. Somara has fronted several innovation television series, including The Health Show on BBC World News, TechKnow on Al Jazeera, Tomorrow’s Food on BBC1 and Razor on CGTN Europe.

The main objective of Shini's work today as a producer and broadcaster is to translate complex science and technology into engaging, accessible and informative content. Shini now broadcasts across all areas of science (including climate change, sustainability, health, food and energy) to popularises and democratise STEM. She wants to see more equality, diversity and inclusion in STEM - something she did not experience herself whilst studying and working in engineering. Her most impactful work to date includes:

Hosting Crash Course Physics - a x50 episode YouTube series, hosted by Shini on Advanced Placement Level Physics
(approx. 50 million views across entire series) - PBS Digital Studios.

Hosting Crash Course Engineering - x45 episode YouTube series hosted by Shini, on the various aspects of engineering.
(approx. 8 million views across entire series) - PBS Digital Studios.

Authoring children's books. Shini has published 6 books to date. Her seventh book will be published in Spring 2023. Shini also writes a regular article for E&T Magazine for the Institute of Engineering and Technology, about diversity and inclusion in engineering.
​

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Täyden kympin kuvakirja - täynnä inspiroivaa asennetta, kysymyksiä ja niihin selkeitä vastauksia ja ennen kaikkea hyvin havainnollistava kuvitus.

Kirja sisältää myös paljon tietoa naisinsinööreistä ja -keksijöistä, mikä on aina plussaa. Omat lapset kiinnostuivat myös insinööriydestä tämän kirjan myötä.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bright, colourful, interesting and educational book that ignites and inspires children's (and adults) imagination and passion for how things work and exploring their own curiosities. Zara is an inquisitive little girl who on her day to day activities with her gran, learns, queries and explores how the world around her works. It's a brilliantly illustrated book that appeals to all ages....even I learnt a thing or two! Dr Shini Somara has managed to create a book that empowers and encourages children to question their surroundings and gives historical information in the process also. It is slightly aimed at girls, but only in the sense that Zara's gran and some of the women discussed are engineers and Zara herself us a furious little girl. That being said, my nephew and my beighbours granddaughter both enjoyed this book and I can't wait to see what's next in the series. I think this is the beginning of what will be a beautiful, inspiring, educational book series.

[Janika Puolitaival · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yllätti, paljon selkeää faktaa ja kuvia erilaisista tekniikoista joita Sara kohtaa mumminsa kanssa. Vähän historiaakin Da Vincistä lähtien. Ei ihan pienille, painovoima, vastavoima ym. tuskin avautuvat. Mutta uteliaisuus herää kaiken ikäisillä kaikkeen siihen mitä koneiden sisältä löytyy. Ykkös-kakkosille vinkkaukseen.

[Barbara Band · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zara is very curious about the world around her. When she goes for a walk with her gran, she is constantly asking questions such as how do lifts work, how do cranes lift heavy objects and what is Wi-Fi for. Gran gives explanations which are accompanied by a simple diagram demonstrating her words. And it turns out that Gran is an engineer herself.

As well as introducing children to basic mechanical concepts, the story also includes details about people such as Hedy Lemarr, Alica Boler-Davis and Rahman Khan.

This book is a great introduction to some diverse and little-known engineers as well as linking with the science curriculum and having strong female role models. It is a mix of story and non-fiction, and encourages children to be observant as well as pointing out that failure is often the way problems are solved.

[Jaimie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An empowering story to introduce young readers to the world of engineering, creative thinking and problem-solving.

Zara is curious about everything! Travelling around the city with her gran, she sees all kinds of fascinating things. How do roller coasters do loop-the-loops? How do planes stay up? As she marvels about how they work, Zara learns about some of the brilliant engineers who have shaped the world around her. Soon she can't wait to start creating her own amazing inventions and become an engineer too! With pages encouraging kids to try out their very own engineering experiments such as constructing the perfect paper aeroplane and safely dropping an egg from a height, this brilliant picture book which unlocks a love of engineering and celebrates women in STEM.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book. At four years old, my son was mostly interested in the 'how it works' pictures such as the mechanisms making a lift or escalator work but, the other colourful and dynamic pictures also held his interest. I think this is a book he will come back to as he gets older for answers to questions about how things work and how they were designed. It seems like a good introduction to engineering and we'll have to try some of the other books in the series too, when he's a bit older.

[Pauline Destinugrainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setelah buku tentang saintis, saya akhirnya melengkapi untuk mengoleksi buku tentang Seri profesi STEAM ini. Kali ini judulnya Nenekku Seorang Engineer. Mengisahkan tentang Zara dan Neneknya yang seorang ahli teknik. Neneknya menjelaskan prinsip kerja lift, elevator, pesawat terbang dan banyak hal lainnya.

Buku yang sangat cocok dibaca bersama anak-anak untuk mengenalkan profesi ahli teknik

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aku suka bagaimana neneknya Zara menjelaskan bagaimana cara berbagai benda bisa berfungsi dengan bahasa yang sederhana. Semua yang dibahas ada di sekitar kita. Mulai dari lift, eskalator, troli, roller coaster, sampai pesawat terbang.

Tapi hey! Pertanyaan Zara di awal soal bagaimana neneknya bisa membuat pesawat kertas terbang lebih lama tidak dijawab. Padahal, kan neneknya sudah bilang mau menjelaskannya nanti. Ah, dasar orang dewasa. Suka melupakan janji. Ahahaha.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The combination of a curious girl and a clever grandmother immerses the readers into a non-fiction picturebook of problem solving and figuring out how things work. Its a great weaving of narrative and information with innovative illustrations

[Virva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sopii erinomaisesti lapselle, joka on kiinnostunut laitteiden ja koneiden toiminnasta. Kirjassa käydään läpi mm. liukuportaiden, pilvenpiirtäjien ja lentokoneiden toimintaa sekä esitellään insinöörejä ja keksijöitä historian eri vaiheista.

[Suchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tämä sarja on aivan upea. Hienot kuvat, innostava, kannusava ja inklusiivinen tarina.

[Hana Bilqisthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Bahasa Indonesia version