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bookish_whispers's review
5.0
I want to thank Quirk Books for a copy of Kid Innovator in exchange for my honest review. This book is on sale now through their website or your favorite bookstore!
Kid Innovators is the seventh book in the Kid Legends series, but the great thing is each book stands on its own, with its own theme. This was the first book I've read in the series, and even though I have seen this series at bookstores, on my library dash, and the Quirk website, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into.
The first thing you notice about Kid Innovators is the cover artwork by Allison Steinfeld. It's bright, fun, and catches your eye right off the bat. This continues through the entire book bringing the histories of each person to life. It adds a great visual to the book. I felt it was a great addition for younger readers who might get bored with just words on a page, but it also brings a bit of the story to life. And, I love the character drawings she did for each person.
But, the artwork while a great addition to each little biography that gets told, wasn't my favorite part. My favorite part was the language that Robin Stevenson used throughout this book. One of the biggest turn-offs for me in middle grade is when it feels like authors talk down to readers. Just because this book is aged toward younger kids doesn't mean you cannot use bigger words, and that's exactly what Robin Stevenson does. Even I had to jump on Google to puzzle out a few things, and I don't think that's a bad thing. This a nonfiction book, meant to teach. But, this is anything but dry. Stevenson found a balance in the book that I that was spectacular. Each story is upbeat and she definitely tries to make learning fun, but without shying away from certain facts. She mentions slavery in the chapter about Madam CJ Walker, she mentions Alan Turing's suicide, hard topics, but important ones nonetheless. Yet, Stevenson handles it in a way that could spark conversation, and without too much explanation, leaving room for parents, or teachers, to explain these topics as needed.
Stevenson does all of that but somehow still manages to use a tone that I feel would excite a lot of young readers.
As an adult reader, I enjoyed the fact that there were quite of individuals that I didn't know anything about inside this book. Which made the book a little more enjoyable to read because it wasn't filled with histories I'd learned before.
I also really liked that each chapter was fairly short but packed full of information. Each person got a little bit of their back story that explained how they ended being the innovator they would eventually become. Basically, these are mini-biographies that are well researched, and a wonderful introduction to each person. A great starting point that includes a bibliography page at the end of the book, in case anyone wants to read more on a certain person.
I really enjoyed this book and how brightly colored and fun it was to read. I loved the section's pages and how they were done up almost like circus posters. All around it's an inviting read. My only big complaint about this book was a personal one. For reasons, I skipped the chapter on Elon Musk. I just wasn't interested. Everything else though was fantastic. This is a great book for kids who love science, computers, inventing. Or, kids who love nonfiction and learning.
So a huge thank you to Quirk for sending this my way. While Kid Innovator isn't going into my permanent collection, it's going to a kid I know will love it!
Kid Innovators is the seventh book in the Kid Legends series, but the great thing is each book stands on its own, with its own theme. This was the first book I've read in the series, and even though I have seen this series at bookstores, on my library dash, and the Quirk website, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into.
The first thing you notice about Kid Innovators is the cover artwork by Allison Steinfeld. It's bright, fun, and catches your eye right off the bat. This continues through the entire book bringing the histories of each person to life. It adds a great visual to the book. I felt it was a great addition for younger readers who might get bored with just words on a page, but it also brings a bit of the story to life. And, I love the character drawings she did for each person.
But, the artwork while a great addition to each little biography that gets told, wasn't my favorite part. My favorite part was the language that Robin Stevenson used throughout this book. One of the biggest turn-offs for me in middle grade is when it feels like authors talk down to readers. Just because this book is aged toward younger kids doesn't mean you cannot use bigger words, and that's exactly what Robin Stevenson does. Even I had to jump on Google to puzzle out a few things, and I don't think that's a bad thing. This a nonfiction book, meant to teach. But, this is anything but dry. Stevenson found a balance in the book that I that was spectacular. Each story is upbeat and she definitely tries to make learning fun, but without shying away from certain facts. She mentions slavery in the chapter about Madam CJ Walker, she mentions Alan Turing's suicide, hard topics, but important ones nonetheless. Yet, Stevenson handles it in a way that could spark conversation, and without too much explanation, leaving room for parents, or teachers, to explain these topics as needed.
Stevenson does all of that but somehow still manages to use a tone that I feel would excite a lot of young readers.
As an adult reader, I enjoyed the fact that there were quite of individuals that I didn't know anything about inside this book. Which made the book a little more enjoyable to read because it wasn't filled with histories I'd learned before.
I also really liked that each chapter was fairly short but packed full of information. Each person got a little bit of their back story that explained how they ended being the innovator they would eventually become. Basically, these are mini-biographies that are well researched, and a wonderful introduction to each person. A great starting point that includes a bibliography page at the end of the book, in case anyone wants to read more on a certain person.
I really enjoyed this book and how brightly colored and fun it was to read. I loved the section's pages and how they were done up almost like circus posters. All around it's an inviting read. My only big complaint about this book was a personal one. For reasons, I skipped the chapter on Elon Musk. I just wasn't interested. Everything else though was fantastic. This is a great book for kids who love science, computers, inventing. Or, kids who love nonfiction and learning.
So a huge thank you to Quirk for sending this my way. While Kid Innovator isn't going into my permanent collection, it's going to a kid I know will love it!
cmoore14's review
5.0
This book was so adorable! I love books that empower kids to aim for the sky and be whatever they want to be. By seeing books like this one a child is less likely to think they aren't capable, so I'm all for increasing the number of books targeted for children's inspiration. The images were really cute and I can't wait to see the completed book. The information was also laid out in a really easy-to-read format that is perfect for kids! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn about famous innovators throughout history.
rainbowbookworm's review
5.0
The Kid Legend Series is amazing and this latest title is no exception. It is divided into four parts (Tech Revolution; Seas, Skies, and Outer Space; Cracking Codes and Saving Lives; and Trailblazers) and includes such innovators as Grace Hopper, Jacques Cousteau, Hedy Lamarr; and Alvin Ailey. All the names were familiar to me, but some readers may not recognize Reshma Saujani and William Kamkwamba.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
4.0
All inventors start out as curious kids who love to learn and explore. This book gives short biographies of some famous innovators and how their childhood shaped their dreams. The bios include the stories of Steve Jobs, Jacques Cousteau, Florence Nightingale, Walt Disney, the Wright brothers, and many others.
There are sections about technology, exploring, codes, medicine, and trailblazers. It's not just about inventing something new. It's about revolutionizing how something is used, how art is created, or how people think. The history of computer codes, airplanes, wind turbines, rockets, nursing, hair products, entertainment, and a dozen other fields are explored.
Each biography is about 10 pages long, and includes inspiring quotes from the famous person. I appreciated that this book sometimes admits that the person had a controversial life. They were not perfect and maybe did some bad things, but their contributions are still good. There is a balance in the writing that doesn't hide any undesirable things, but still accepts and celebrates the good.
There are cartoony illustrations on each page depicting scenes from the lives of each person. I loved the colorful artwork! The designs are so clever and attractive.
This book encourages young people to think outside the box and problem-solve with new ideas.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
There are sections about technology, exploring, codes, medicine, and trailblazers. It's not just about inventing something new. It's about revolutionizing how something is used, how art is created, or how people think. The history of computer codes, airplanes, wind turbines, rockets, nursing, hair products, entertainment, and a dozen other fields are explored.
Each biography is about 10 pages long, and includes inspiring quotes from the famous person. I appreciated that this book sometimes admits that the person had a controversial life. They were not perfect and maybe did some bad things, but their contributions are still good. There is a balance in the writing that doesn't hide any undesirable things, but still accepts and celebrates the good.
There are cartoony illustrations on each page depicting scenes from the lives of each person. I loved the colorful artwork! The designs are so clever and attractive.
This book encourages young people to think outside the box and problem-solve with new ideas.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
thebeesknees79's review
4.0
What a great book! Comprehensive, appropriately paced and diverse. I love the Kid series, I think it helps younger students (middle grade/elementary) see how their current interests could lead the way to a career they never thought of! I love that we had classics like Walt Disney and Steve Jobs, but also included Maria Montessori, Jonas Salk, Alvin Ailey.