Plan It, Test It, Solve It: Solving Problems with the Sesame Street Mecha Builders

PreS-Gr 2–Young readers engage with the Sesame Street Mecha Builders in this introductory look at problem-solving and early STEM thinking. Combining photographs of real children with familiar Mecha Builders characters, the book introduces a simplified three-step process—plan it, test it, solve it—to help children approach everyday challenges with critical thinking skills. The concept is illustrated through a single real-life example: figuring out how to get a toy car across a finish line. Photographs document the trial-and-error process as the initial plan—pushing the car—fails, leading to the construction and adjustment of a ramp that ultimately succeeds. This hands-on scenario will feel accessible to young readers and aligns well with exploratory play. The back matter includes step-by-step instructions for building a ramp like the one featured in the book, along with a glossary explaining more advanced vocabulary. While the book offers a basic introduction to the design process, its framework differs from the models commonly used in many STEM curricula. Instead of clearly identifying the problem, children are encouraged to observe it, and the process lacks a visual, cyclical representation that emphasizes redesign and evaluation after testing. Additionally, some spreads contain more text than what is usual for the targeted age range. Much of the information appears in speech bubbles, with occasional full paragraphs explaining each stage of problem solving, which may challenge very young listeners during read-alouds.