Min Makes a Machine

I Like to Read

by Emily Arnold McCully

Budding engineer Min uses her skills to save the day in this Level E easy reader, perfect for Kindergarten students to read on their own!

Min wants to play, but Ann and Bess say it's too hot to do anything. Min waves a fan, but it doesn't help at all. What's a girl to do?
 
There's a pool, but it's empty—but clever Min finds a nearby well with some water in it. A tube, a hose, some glue, and a good idea later, Min builds a machine to draw water out of the well and into the pool. 
 
Splash! Thanks to Min, all the girls can play in the pool!
 
Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully has created a fun tale about creative problem-solving, with simple text for emerging readers and bright illustrations depicting Min's creation of an Archimedes screw to add extra detail.
 
For more of Min's adventures, check out 3, 2, 1, Go! in which Min builds a catapult.

A Junior Library Guild selection!

The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards.  Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors—create original, high quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read with parents, teachers, or on their own!
 
Level E stories feature a distinct beginning, middle, and end, with kid-friendly illustrations offering clues for more challenging sentences.  Varied punctuation and simple contractions may be included. Level E books are suitable for early first graders. When Level E is mastered, follow up with Level F.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Growth Mindset, Friendship

32 pages, Paperback

Published July 17, 2018

About the author

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nifty story about ingenuity to have fun on a hot day - but there is absolutely no explanation of what machine Min makes, even in an end-note. Nothing about why it worked, or what it's called, or any context whatsoever.
I know this book is supposed to be approachable for very beginning readers, but a lot of the "meat" of the plot has been sacrificed to make it "easy."

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Min Makes a Machine by Emily Arnold McCully. PICTURE BOOK/EARLY READER. Holiday House, 2018. $15. 978082343970

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Min, an elephant, wants to play, but her friends are too hot to join. Min then devises a plan to get water out of the bottom of a well and into an old empty pool. She uses a tube and a hose and is successful.

This is a “Guided Reading Level E” book and the thing I like best about these books is that the levels are very gradual. There isn’t a big jump between levels, so a young reader never hits the frustrated point. This level seems right on point with the end of Kindergarten reading level.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this "I Like to Read" book for beginning readers, Min solves a problem for her friends with some basic materials. Since the day is very hot, Min and her friends are desperately in need of a dip in some cool water. But the swimming pool is dry, and the water that might fill it is in an old well. Min's ingenuity in devising a screw saves the day. I'm not sure how she knew how to make this machine, but I'm sure she and her friends are relieved that she does. Personally, I'd have had no idea how to go about doing this and bringing the water from one place to another. The illustrations, created with pen and ink and watercolor, add to the fun of reading this story while the text encourages repeated reading, the practice necessary to develop reading skills.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add a little STEM to your easy readers as Emily Arnold McCully's young elephants return in another "I Like To Read" book. It's hot, hot, hot on the savannah. Minn wants to play, but Ann and Bess are too hot and tired. It would be nice to swim, but there's no water in the pool. Min cleverly finds some water at the bottom of a well then uses a clever siphoning method to fill the pool so all can enjoy it. Splashy watercolor illustrations accompany the simple but fun text. This is part of the "I Like To Read" series that caters to very beginning readers with short sentences, easy words, and a clear easy-to-follow plot. This is a Level E book by a Caldecott-winning illustrator that should appeal to those young readers.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun picture books shows the fun you can have when you learn to make the best of things and solve your own problems. Min wants her friends to play with her on a hot summer day. All they want to do is sit around and complain about the weather. Every suggestion Min makes just makes them moan and groan even more. But Min refuses to let her friends negativity get her down, she uses creativity and problem solving skills to make the day a lot more fun for everyone. This would be a great STEM-related book to help kids develop a growth mindset. Easy-to-read text makes this a book that kids can read independently.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific early reader to introduce STEAM concepts. Min figures out how to make and use machines to solve problems on a hot day. She devises a screw type machine to pull water from an old well and fill the swimming pool.
So many science and technology areas to talk about with this book.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Min the elephant really wants someone to play with her but everyone complains that it's too hat. Min finds a well with water way at the bottom and builds a contraption that brings the water to the top and fills a nearby pool for swimming.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about learning to be inventive and to do kind things for others, and possibly a lesson about not being so quick to give up and go home. With easy word and colorful pictures kids will have success in reading at their "just right" level.

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like, I like! I'm glad they did not go with the original proposed title: "Young Female Elephant Builds an Archimedes Screw" but instead the much catchier "Min Makes a Machine".

The young people are ALL ABOUT ALLITERATION these days.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it gets so hot that no one wants to play, Min uses her creativity and a little engineering to make every one feels better. An excellent story about not giving up while solving your problems with creativity and persistence.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truthfully, I was puzzled by Min's solution to the problem in the story. I would never have known how to do that. This is a reader for early 1st grade, Guided Reading Level E. I would purchase it if I had a need for books at this level.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, appealing story about problem solving and ingenuity.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title tells it all.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perseverance.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heroine who makes it happen.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is designed for early readers to read independetly and features three elephants on a hot trying to cool off. Preschool and up

[Geri chesner · Rating 2 out of 5]

An I Like to Read book.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an F&G of this book at an ALA conference.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there had been a note about the machine she made.