Innovations and inventions

Biographies

Arnold, Ann. The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer. 2002. 40p. Farrar/Frances Foster, $17 (0-374-31665-1).

 Gr. 1–5. This lively biography explores the life of the man who revolutionized nineteenth-century kitchen design, changed the way the military fed its soldiers in wartime, invented kitchen gadgets, and wrote socially conscious cookbooks. Arnold’s clever, colorful illustrations are complemented by a map and time line of Soyer’s extensive travels.

Brill, Marlene. Margaret Knight, Girl Inventor. Illus. by Joanne H. Friar. 2001. 32p. Millbrook, $22.90 (0-7613-1756-2).

 Gr. 1–5. This straight-forward narrative tells the story of Mattie Knight, who at the young age of 12 invented a safety arm, revolutionizing nineteenth-century millwork. Brill’s engaging text presents Knight’s life as a story that focuses on the intrepid inventor’s individuality and determination.

Brown, Don. Mack Made Movies. 2003. 32p. Roaring Brook, $16.95 (0-7613-1538-1).

 Gr. 1–5. This picture-book biography of Mack Sennett, the “King of Comedy,” showcases early moviemaking in America. The illustrations capture the historical moment and show Sennett’s innovations as the creator of the Keystone Kops, the pie in the face, and more.

Carlson, Laurie. Boss of the Plains: The Hat That Won the West. Illus. by Molly Meade. 1998. 32p. DK, $16.95 (0-7894-2479-7); paper, $5.95 (0-7894-2657-9).

 Gr. 2–6. While working in Colorado in the scorching sun, John Stetson decided to invent a durable, multifunctional hat that would provide protection from the harsh climate. In 1859, the “Boss of the Plains” was born. Meade’s colorful cut-paper collage pictures capture the rough-and-tumble excitement of the frontier. Also see Mary Christian’s chapter book Hats Off to John Stetson (Macmillan, 1992).

Chandra, Deborah, and Madeleine Comora. George Washington’s Teeth. Illus. by Brock Cole. 2003. 40p. Farrar, $16 (0-374-32534-0).

 K–Gr. 5. The story of George Washington’s losing his teeth and his quest to develop a painless set of dentures is told here in sprightly verse that’s perfect for reading aloud. Cole’s illustrations cleverly combine humor and historical information.

Corey, Shana. You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! Illus. by Chesley McLaren. 2000. 32p. Scholastic, $16.95 (0-439-07819-9).

 Gr. 1–6. Hating the confining, street-dragging clothing of her time, Amelia Bloomer started a fashion rebellion when she developed a pattern for a short skirt with voluminous pantaloons underneath, a garment that eventually became known as bloomers. The lively illustrations match the personality of the heroine who paved the way for independent-thinking women everywhere.

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. The Wright Brothers. Illus. by Henry Cole. 2003. 40p. Hyperion, $15.99 (0-7868-1951-0).

 K–Gr. 4. This cumulative, vividly illustrated story walks the reader through the events that led to the Wright brothers’ first powered flight in 1903. For more titles on the Wright brothers, see “Dreams Really Do Come True” in the September 2003 issue of Book Links.

Lasky, Kathryn. The Man Who Made Time Travel. Illus. by Kevin Hawkes. 2003. 48p. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa, $17 (0-374-34788-3).

 Gr. 3–8. Hawkes’ oversize paintings mark this picture-book biography of John Harrison, an eighteenth-century clock maker who solved the problem of tracking longitude in shipboard navigation. Interested older readers may enjoy Joan Dash’s Longitude Prize (Farrar/Frances Foster, 2000).

Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. Illus. by Mary Azarian. 1998. 32p. Houghton, $16 (0-395-86162-4).

 K–Gr. 6. Wilson Bentley, born in 1865 in Vermont, discovered not only that each snowflake is different but also how to photograph the tiny flakes. Azarian’s Caldecott Medal–winning woodcuts grace this stylish biography.

McPherson, Stephanie Sammartino. Ordinary Genius: The Story of Albert Einstein. 1995. 88p. Carolrhoda, $25.26 (0-87614-788-0); paper, $7.95 (1-57505-067-6).

 Gr. 5–8. This title from the Trailblazers Biographies series includes Einstein’s major accomplishments and also describes a man who loved sailing and always found time for children. Personal photos serve as excellent support in documenting Einstein’s human side.

Schanzer, Rosalyn. How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning. 2003. 40p. HarperCollins, $16.99

(0-688-16993-7).

 Gr. 1–6. In this lively account of Franklin’s life as an inventor, Schanzer provides hints of his “greatest” invention, the lightning rod, but doesn’t reveal the story behind it until the end of the book, after detailing some of his other innovations. The tall-tale telling and whimsical illustrations effectively portray Franklin’s curiosity and energy.

Seymour, Tres. Our Neighbor Is a Strange, Strange Man. Illus. by Walter Lyon Krudop. 1999. 32p. Orchard, $15.95 (0-531-30107-9).

 K–Gr. 4. Melville Murrell received the first patent for a flying machine in 1877, and this picture book tells of his invention as seen through the eyes of his young neighbor. Bold, full-page illustrations complement the simple narrative.

Sís, Peter. Starry Messenger. 1996. 40p. Farrar/Frances Foster, $16 (0-374-37191-1); Sunburst, paper, $5.95 (0-374-47027-8).

 Gr. 2–up. Sís describes Galileo’s life in a simple but poignant narrative, and his complex, intricate art invites the reader to imaginatively connect with and learn from this genius’ inventive life.

Towle, Wendy. The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor. Illus. by Wil Clay. 1993. 32p. Scholastic, paper, $5.99 (0-590-48102-9).

 Gr. 3–6. Elijah McCoy, an African American who lived during the 1860s, invented the lawn sprinkler, the portable ironing board, an improvement for rubber shoe heels, and more. The phrase the real McCoy is thought to refer to a superior oil cup he invented, which was used to lubricate train parts.