Maker Books — Kathy Ceceri

Kathy Ceceri’s Maker books turn intimidating-sounding topics like electronics, robotics, and engineering into approachable kitchen-table projects. Each volume is packed with DIY builds that use everyday materials—cardboard, tape, simple components—alongside clear explanations of the underlying STEM concepts. Written by a veteran educator and maker, the books emphasize tinkering, troubleshooting, and creativity rather than perfect outcomes, which can be especially freeing for kids who fear “doing it wrong.” Parents appreciate the mix of step-by-step instructions and open-ended extensions, making it easy to scale difficulty up or down. The books are reasonably priced and can anchor months of project time, though some builds do require purchasing simple parts. Start by reading through a chapter together, then let your child pick the next experiment.