Steckley

Children’s BookIllustrator

Reuben Award Winner

Travels from: Milwaukee, WI

“Colorful, amusing, and detailed double-page spreads resemble the real Rube Goldberg’s cartoons. . . Endpapers with sight gags, a progression of animals, and more add to the merriment, while a concluding look at simple machines keeps the antics educational.” — Booklist

Wisconsin Native Ed Steckley has been a humorous illustrator for over 30 years, beginning in live caricature and comic books to magazine illustration, advertising and children’s books.

He’s the illustrator of two different STEM/STEAM-centric series, based in the world of Rube Goldberg and his crazy contraptions.

The first is a picture book series, focused around a young Rube Goldberg – a little boy who creates crazy machines and contraptions to help him get through his day. The other is a Middle Reader series, written by Brandon T. Snider, which follows an early teenage Rube as he navigates middle school and embraces his love of science, engineering and machine building.

In addition, Ed illustrated the award winning kids activity book, Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building, written by award winning Rube Goldberg machine builder Zach Umperovitch, released in October of 2024.

In addition to children’s books, Ed’s work has appeared in numerous outlets and publications, most notably Mad magazine Saturday Night Live.

Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building: Make 25 Machines That Really Work!

Abrams Books for Young Readers ( |

October 22, 2024

Children’s Activity Books

To build a Rube Goldberg Machine, all you need is a pile of junk and a great imagination. Rube Goldberg’s granddaughter, Jennifer George, has teamed up with world-renowned Rube Goldberg machine builder Zach Umperovitch to show us just how true that is in this comprehensive guide to building Rube Goldberg Machines at home. Written in partnership with Rube Goldberg’s granddaughter herself, Jennifer George, this book breaks down how to build a variety of machines that solve simple problems in complex ways. Progressing in difficulty with each chapter, kids (and builders of all ages) will learn how to construct super simple machines that fit on a tabletop, to hard ones that take up entire rooms or yards! Learn how to start chain reactions that refill your popcorn automatically on movie night, open umbrellas, and even pack a picnic, one step at a time. Filled with famous quotes from Rube Goldberg, jokes, fun facts, and tips and tricks to make building as successful as possible, this book is sure to satisfy every family’s most curious and inventive minds!

Academics & Education, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Science & Technology

Engine of Change (Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines #3)

Harry N. Abrams |

October 3, 2023

Middle Grade

Engine of Change is the third title in the hilarious Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines series by bestselling author Brandon T. Snider and featuring black-and-white illustrations by Reuben Award-winning artist Ed Steckley.

Evil Professor Zeero has disappeared, Superintendent Atwater has been put in his place, and all is right again in Beechwood . . . or is it?

When Rube Goldberg discovers the Null Corporation is building a giant machine in his beloved junkyard, he suspects something nefarious is at play. Then when he begins receiving anonymous messages from someone claiming to be an ally, he knows something is up. Together with his best friends Boob and Pearl, as well as friends like Reina, Lala, and Davin, Rube sets out to find out just what the company has planned for their town.

To throw a wrench in things, Rube’s dad has made an unexpected trip home, and Rube struggles to find the best way to share his new passion for problem-solving with the person he loves the most. Can Rube find all the answers he needs in time to save Beechwood?

Disguises, master plans, and, above all, Rube Goldberg Machines come together in this hilarious third title in the Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines series.

Written in Consultation with the Rube Goldberg Institute for Innovation & Creativity

Fiction, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

The New Switcheroo (Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines #2)

Amulet Books |

October 11, 2022

Middle/YA

After unintentionally unmasking a criminal mastermind at his school’s Contraption Convention, Rube Goldberg—and his inventions—are the talk of the sixth grade. Rube’s star is on the rise, and it’s a lot of pressure. What if he’s lost his mojo? There’s no time to wonder, because Rube and his two best friends, Boob and Pearl, are busy planning Pearl’s campaign for class president. With the Switcheroo Dance a weekend before the big election, Pearl’s path to victory is set. That is, until a new mystery strikes the town. Rube is eager to bring Zach into the fold, but Boob and Pearl can’t help but wonder if Rube’s mysterious new friend is hiding something . . . will Rube get his mojo back in time to unravel the mystery and save Pearl’s campaign?

Hijinks and hilarity abound in this dynamic follow-up to Rube Goldberg and His Amazing Machines, written by bestselling author Brandon T. Snider and featuring black-and-white illustrations by Ed Steckley.

Fiction, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade, Science & Technology

Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Definitely Different Day Off

Abrams Books for Young Readers |

May 3, 2022

Picture Book

Follow along with young inventor Rube Goldberg on his day off from school in this wacky, STEAM-focused picture book

A “definitely different” follow-up to Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School Day, written by Jennifer George, the granddaughter of Rube Goldberg, and illustrated by award-winning artist Ed Steckley. In their latest collaboration, they imagine Rube Goldberg as a young inventor who builds complex machines to solve simple, everyday problems. Follow along as he invents zany chain-reaction contraptions to have the best day off from school ever—including a simple way to play fetch in the yard without leaving his bedroom, a self-operating swing, and a super simple series of movie snacking machines.

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

Rube Goldberg And His Amazing Machines

Amulet Books |

November 16, 2021

Picture Book

The hilarious first book in an all-new illustrated middle-grade series starring young inventor Rube Goldberg

On the first day of middle school, Principal Kim announces that the school is going to throw a Contraption Convention—the perfect opportunity for young inventor Rube Goldberg to show off his inventions and get out of his summer-long funk!

But after a fight with his friends Pearl and Boob about where his priorities really lie, Rube’s Con Con entry gets off to a rocky start—and then strange incidents begin to throw the town into disarray. Boob is convinced it’s a ghost causing all of this chaos. Between Con Con, the ghostly mystery, and a new rival, Rube has his work cut out for him. But with the help of his friends, he might just get things back on track, get on top of his burgeoning anxieties, and come up with something brilliant before it’s time to face the judging table.

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School Day

Harry N. Abrams |

August 29, 2017

Picture Book

If Rube’s inventions are any indication, “normal” means something very different in the Goldberg household. For Rube, up is down, in is out, and the simplest path to accomplishing an everyday task—like brushing his teeth or getting dressed—is a humorously complicated one. Follow Rube as he sets out on a typical school day, overcomplicating each and every step from the time he wakes up in the morning until the time he goes to bed at night.

This book features fourteen inventions, each depicting an interactive sequence whose purpose is to help Rube accomplish mundane daily tasks: a simple way to get ready for school, to make breakfast, to do his homework, and so much more.

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers

Rube Goldberg Machine Creation

For the STEM/STEAM minded, we discuss my process for creating Rube Goldberg machines. From entering the mindset of an engineer, all the way towards execution of the final art, using humor and ridiculous innovation to create these funny, overly complicated and delightful contraptions. Live drawing, audience interaction, and lots of Q&A and anecdotes make this fun for machine builders of all ages. Presented with Guinness World Record holder and Rube Goldberg Machine Creation superstar Zach Umperovitch.

All ages

Rube Goldberg and the History of Cartooning

From the early days of newspapers when publishers found that visual storytelling would help to attract viewers, how artists and cartoonists have evolved the art of cartooning to attract and keep their readers engaged. Special focus given to historic comics, editorial cartoons, and Rube Goldberg in particular as an example of how the past has helped shape the current state of cartooning.
Ages 10 & up

Drawing Caricature and Humor

A comprehensive lecture on the history of caricature utilizing historical examples, visuals and examples of it’s use throughout history. Followed by my personal experience and love for the art, and how that applies to various other forms of art and illustration. Ending with a live caricature demo session and Q&A. Chock full of visuals, anecdotes, and lots of live drawing!

All ages

Drawing and Painting: The Process

A technical presentation on a number of painting techniques, with examples of each. Then a step by step demonstration of how I incorporate tools and techniques that best serve the project at hand from traditional media to digital. Live drawing, and lively Q&A.
Ages 10 & up

Art Instruction

A talk geared towards the psychology of drawing. How an artist’s mindset and attitude translates into the work. Includes a short history of various types of art, from caricature as a means of political and sociological expression, to editorial illustration and beyond.

Includes a comprehensive slideshow with examples, and ends with a live drawing session and Q&A

Ages 13 & up

The Who, What, Why, & Fun Behind Rube Goldberg

Watch and learn as two masters (of their respective crafts) simultaneously demonstrate the Rube Goldberg inventive process in an inspiring, yet hilarious display. Renowned cartoonist, Ed Steckley, begins by performing a live drawing based on an audience suggestion. Meanwhile, world expert builder, Zach Umperovitch, takes the stage to provide history and background through engaging visuals. Midway through, the experts will flip roles, with Ed taking the narrative reins, whilst Zach must now bring Ed’s drawing to life by building a machine right before the audience’s eyes. A presentation that is equally informative and entertaining! Presented with Guinness World Record holder and Rube Goldberg Machine Creation superstar Zach Umperovitch.
-All Ages

Workshop - Rube Goldberg Build Session

All you need is a good imagination and a pile of junk to start inventing. Zach comes prepared supplying the pile of junk; an entire truck load! Students will engage in hands-on building utilizing common everyday objects, often seen in Zach’s professional Rube Golderg projects, while Ed visualizes possible solutions, alternative solutions, potential roadblocks to the build. Divided into teams, each group will receive a common set of student-safe tools, along with access to the “mountain of junk,” and a final goal to achieve. Students will experience the necessity of trial & error firsthand, with the ultimate takeaway of learning from failure. Workshop duration is fully variable, from 1 hour to several days, depending on desired outcome. Presented with Guinness World Record holder and Rube Goldberg Machine Creation superstar Zach Umperovitch.
-Ages 8 and Up

Q&A / Brainstorming Session

Often the students’ favorite part of the presentation, this relaxed format talk allows for more back-and-forth dialogue via Q&A, rather than a full lecture. The questions flow both ways as students are asked about their Rube Goldberg based projects, beginning a narrative that transitions into a brainstorming & project discussion session – designed to help students through mental roadblocks during the inventive process. If time permits, impromptu Rube Goldberg machine components can be illustrated, or even built to demonstrate students’ prototyping ideas. Presented with Guinness World Record holder and Rube Goldberg Machine Creation superstar Zach Umperovitch.
-All Ages

“The Ridge Family Center for Learning’s Family-Teacher Organization invited Illustrator Ed Steckley to visit our school as part of our efforts to expose the students to professionals in the creative fields. He spent the entire day visiting classrooms and giving a 45-minute presentation for each grade, kindergarten through fifth. The students very much enjoyed learning about his illustrations and what the word caricature means. He also taught them about who Rube Goldberg is, the machines he created, and the books Mr. Steckley illustrated about those machines, including “Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building.” Some students were even lucky enough to be drawn by Mr. Steckley, which was definitely a highlight of each presentation. He was very gracious with his time and interacted a lot with the students. As a bonus, he even donated some of his books to our library and autographed other books that had been purchased ahead of time. Overall, it was a great visit and Mr. Steckley did a great job conveying his enthusiasm for cartooning in a thoughtful and engaging manner.” — Mindy Larkin, Ridge Family Center for Learning, 2026

“The students absolutely adored working with Steckley and were thrilled to receive his autograph. This was undoubtedly my favorite illustrator experience to date, and I believe it was largely due to Steckley’s engaging personality. Steckley’s collaboration and communication throughout the process were truly exceptional.” — Belvidere Central Middle School Teacher, 2024

“This was a great experience. Mr. Steckley is very funny and his artwork was a great reflection of his personality. I learned a lot about art techniques and it helped me to improve!” — Belvidere Central Middle School Student, 2024

“Ed Steckley was a great fit for our district STEAM night. He was able to work with our high school art students in the afternoon of the event and the seamlessly transition to sharing his talents and Rube Goldberg books with our elementary students and families in the evening. What a great fit for our event!” — South Milwaukee High School, 2024

“When I look at an Ed Steckley illustration, my eyeballs want to step out of my head and kiss my face! Ed puts so much care and effort into each of his illustrations that it’s worth lingering over each one to discover the witty nuances that are secreted away in the backgrounds and the margins.”— Jim Davis, Garfield Creator

“This book made my kids laugh and got them off screens. No really. It’s magic.” — Jim Gaffigan, Comedian

“Steckley’s black-and-white illustrations evoke the cluttered, mad-scientist feel of Rube (Goldberg)’s workspace. . .” — Kirkus Reviews

“With middle school humor and entertaining images, Rube learns to navigate strange and difficult situations in this first installment of the ‘Rube Goldberg’ series.” — School Library Journal

“Colorful, amusing, and detailed double-page spreads resemble the real Rube Goldberg’s cartoons… Endpapers with sight gags, a progression of animals, and more add to the merriment, while a concluding look at simple machines keeps the antics educational.” — Booklist

Ed’s Substack

Ed’s Portfolio

Ed’s Blog

Kalamazoo Museum’s Rube Goldberg Traveling Exhibit

Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention Exhibit!

Ed’s Merchandise

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Booklist Starred Review, Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building
#1 in Children’s books on Inventions & Inventors on Amazon, Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building
National Cartoonists Society’s top award winner for Best in Book Illustration
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement
Divisional Reuben Award from National Cartoonists Society for Best in Advertising Illustration
Book Illustration
Magazine Illustration
Parents Choice Gold Award