Light Bulb: Eureka! The Biography of an Idea

by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, Stephanie Dehennin (Illustrator)

Overview

EUREKA! Great things happen when science crosses history! Discover the all-true stories of your favorite inventions with this new multicultural STEM series that takes readers on a journey through time and around the world. A perfect choice for kids ages 4–8 who love to figure out how things work!

Electric lights—without them, we'd be in the dark! Here is a "biography" of the light bulb, an essential invention that lights up our days and nights.

From the first spark of Thomas Alva Edison's idea to the spread of electric lights around the world, Light Bulb is a fun and informative look at an invention that makes a huge difference in our lives. This STEAM nonfiction title is part of the new Eureka! series, each book covering one groundbreaking, world-changing discovery that millions of people use every single day.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635923957
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	08/03/2021
Series:	Eureka! The Biography of an Idea
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.31(w) x 8.31(h) x 0.32(d)
Lexile:	AD630L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is the award-winning author of more than 75 books for young readers. When she's not reading, researching, writing, or editing, Kathleen loves to work as a volunteer at her local natural history museum. She lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband, son, and three cats.

Stephanie Dehennin is a self-proclaimed nerd, and proud of it. Not only does she illustrate books for children, but she also is a skilled scientific illustrator. In 2017, she was awarded the Biannual Picturale Public's Choice Award.

Editorial Reviews

NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book

"The appealing Eureka! The Biography of an Idea series introduces primary-grade students to the history behind familiar inventions, from an initial concept or prototype to versions familiar to users today. The writing is simple, clear, and often lively. Richly colorful, digital artwork suggests the look of different time periods and cultures, while portraying individuals who developed each invention and showing how its appearance has changed through the years. Well attuned to the intended audience, this series is both engaging and informative." —Booklist

"This series explores some of history’s greatest and most ubiquitous inventions. The illustrations...are a real highlight, colorful and engaging, setting the historical scenes nicely while providing clear and engaging diagrams. There is a palpable sense of good cheer in the depictions of Edison’s lab staff celebrating with high fives. Back matter provides some extra fun facts...and close[s] with a message about how improved energy efficiency benefits the body and environment. Perfect for STEM lessons and future innovators, this fun and informative series has a lot to offer." —School Library Journal

"A concise, inclusive history of the evolution of the bicycle. The multicountry perspective (Germany, England, France, America, Ireland, and China are all mentioned) is a refreshing angle; also welcome is the information on ways bicycles were and are used, their efficiency, and the etymology of bicycle names and terms. This engaging history of the bicycle is sure to pique young riders’ interest while it enriches their knowledge." —Kirkus Reviews (for EUREKA!: Bicycle)

"This concise history starts with German Karl Drais's 1817 invention of a wooden two-wheeled 'running machine'...[and] culminat[es] with 'a bicycle for just about everybody'....The lively illustrations keep pace with the accessible and engaging text." —The Horn Book (for EUREKA!: Bicycle)

From the Publisher

12/03/2021

K-Gr 3—Did you know that the invention of the bicycle may have occurred after the devastating 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora? Or that the carbonization used in early light bulbs is not so different from the black coating on burnt toast? This series explores some of history's greatest and most ubiquitous inventions. Bicycle looks at different momentous bicycle advances from around the globe, such as the French addition of pedals to the original 'running machine', or the Irish adoption of air-filled tires so it wasn't such a bumpy ride. In contrast, Lightbulb has a much more intimate scope, focusing on a single person and place, specifically Thomas Edison and his work at Menlo Park. The illustrations in both are a real highlight, colorful and engaging, setting the historical scenes nicely while providing clear and engaging diagrams. There is a palpable sense of good cheer in the depictions of Edison's lab staff celebrating with high fives or the little dog enjoying his ride in the basket of China's famous Flying Pigeon bicycle. Back matter provides some extra fun facts (Amsterdam has more bikes than people!) and both books close with a message about how improved energy efficiency benefits the body and environment. VERDICT Perfect for STEM lessons and future innovators, this fun and informative series has a lot to offer.—Alyssa Annico

School Library Journal