Author Spotlight- Carlotta Berry
A children’s book author with a focus on STEM for young readers
I recently read Author Carlotta Berry's children’s books called There’s A Robot In My Closet and What’s the Matter with Orbit.
Here are my reviews:
This book was so sweet to read.
I loved how it combined imagination with real-life STEM, teaching children about STEM in an easy way.
I found it realistic as well as it showed the little girl being too shy to show her family her interests but slowly gathering the courage. This is just as equally shown throughout the book when Rovie freezes in front of her family rather than showing what it can do.
I think this book would be a great resource for preschool classes, kindergarten, and first grades. And it would also make a great introduction to STEM for kids ages 3–7.
I give this a 5-star review.
Rashida’s robot orbit isn’t acting like himself, so she sets off to figure out the reason why.
Rashida conducts research by speaking with everyone in her family who provides suggestions as to why Orbit isn’t working correctly. And after talking with each family member, Rashida tests out their hypothesis.
This book shows kids in a fun way the steps to the scientific method, allowing them to see how Rashida has a theory, gathers information, creates a hypothesis, performs tests, and then draws a conclusion.
I think that this book would be perfect for classrooms of grades Kindergarten, First grade, and Second grade.
I give this a 5-star review.
An interview with Author Carlotta Berry
What drew you to writing STEM books for kids?
I started writing STEM Books for kids during the pandemic. I always knew I wanted to do something to market and promote STEM to young people and not-so-young people to get more diverse voices into STEM.
In particular women, girls, Brown and Black people. Out of that desire my first book, “There’s A Robot in My closet” was born. All of my children’s books have been published in 2024, the first one in March. Although they were written a while ago, being a visiting scientist at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis this year and having people ask me about my children’s books finally got me off my behind to hire an illustrator, hire an editor, and get them published. They have been received with great interest and it is my hope that the sales will eventually meet the enthusiasm. LINKS: Noiresteminist.com/childrensbooks https://www.noiresteminist.com/post/children-s-books-coming-soon
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an author?
As an engineering professor, I have written technical publications, textbooks, and lectures for years. The transition to fictional writing started with Black STEM Romance first published in June 2022.
Even though it has been over 2 years, I still consider myself a rookie fictional author because the transition from technical writing was not seamless or easy. I had to learn about voice, perspective, dialogue, character development, tropes, plot holes, and on and on. I am getting better but I don’t want to just write I want to do it well so I had to study and also get a writing mentor and editor.
Similarly, with children’s books, I had to make sure that my stories were introducing STEM and robots but also hitting at the correct level, not too easy or not too difficult. I also hope to write STEM books for older kids, YA, eventually. Maybe 5th — 8th grade. In fact, even my Black STEM Romance novels are appropriate for HS Level because it is more about the STEM and romance than erotica or explicit sex scenes.
https://www.carlottaardell.com/post/can-an-engineering-professor-write-contemporary-romance-novels https://www.carlottaardell.com/post/make-stem-steamy https://www.carlottaardell.com/blog
What things do you hope young readers gain from your books?
I hope they see themselves and realize that they are meant to do STEM and be in STEM. As they saying goes, representation matters and if they can see robotics engineers, electronic engineers who act like them, look like them and show their creativity, curiosity and innovation then they will be inspired to pursue STEM as well.
Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
Okay, I have written a lot so I will link and paste my bio here if that’s okay!
https://noiresteminist.com/press-kit
Robotics Engineer Interview for HS students
Each year, I receive numerous emails from high school students in engineering classes like Project Lead The Way. I have…
Do your books have branch-off activities or suggested branch-off activities for young readers?
No, they don’t but that really is a great idea! I do sell robotics kits and have details about building, wiring, programming, 3d printing, etc on my website, YouTube, and other places. I have thought about putting some learning activities in the books or supplementary materials on my website.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL175eO9NwPXLDupJZjsvxSPl23THmCM_u&si=C5l77hhPqUTep6IX
I am a professor of electrical engineering and robotics, Open Source Hardware Trailblazer, and co-founder of Black In…
Do you have any more books planned?
Oh, I have lots! Currently working on ideas for about 5 children’s books and more than 5 romance novels.
The problem is finding time to write! My work as an engineering professor and endowed chair often takes me away from writing. It was so much easier when we were all home during the pandemic.
However, this work is too important so I don’t want to totally give up on it, I just have to find the time to do it.
https://www.carlottaardell.com/post/i-miss-my-books-when-i-don-t-write