Inventors Books

This book goes more in detail about Thomas Alva Edison than any other book can.It looks at the life of America's and the world's greatest inventor.

I looked for the best Edison story book for a kid who is attending ESL (English as the second language) class to learn his third language (Chinese, French and English). I found too many books on Edison. I didn't find any good one until I saw this book. After I read it over in bookstore, I bought it. I like it and the kid likes it. Now I will ask Edison Museum if it has this book. If not, I will buy one and donate it for the museum. It is the best Edison story book for all kids.

There are many candidates for the person who was most responsible for the modern age of technical wonders and convenience. My vote in this competition has always been for Thomas Edison; his list of inventions is extraordinary. While most of them would of course have been developed eventually, his drive and genius made them possible at the time.
This book is one that all children should read, the pace of technical progress is considerable and they should learn about one of those most responsible. Edison's genius was broad, yet his greatest legacy may be the research laboratory. By pulling together people with wide backgrounds and talents, he was able to tap the synergistic improvements that it created.
The level of presentation here is well within the capacity of a child in late elementary school and the images actively reinforce the text. I strongly recommend this book as required reading in elementary school; it may motivate a child to become the next Edison. They are sorely needed to solve the latest iteration of complex problems.

I bought this to use in my 6th grade reading classroom. It is excellent to use to teach reading skills such as main idea, author's purpose, or summarizing. I put it in a center and students have 10 minutes to use the book for an assignment. Since it is at a lower reading level, students have success in building skills to use in higher level texts.

This is the type of book I devoured when I was young, a biography of a famous American. Edison fascinated me and I continued to read books about him after I reached adulthood. He is a true role model for the advance of technology, while he did almost no scientific work, he harnessed it to create or improve many of the modern devices that we use daily. It can be conclusively argued that he more than any other person, made the modern technological world possible.
This is a simple biography of Edison written for the elementary school student, it is written in the first person with the voice of a young boy. It depicts a curious boy who insists on learning, experimenting and refusing to give up when things are difficult. Edison was the supreme problem solver, when faced with a difficulty he pounded away at it, trying everything he could think of until he found something that worked. Edison is also an inspirational figure of dedication, determination and perseverance, characteristics that the human race will always need more of.

"... The collection's strength is in the broad diversity of primary sources offered and the issues that Collins and Gitelman raise for student discussion. This is no mere biography of Edison the "Great Inventor." The sources include selections from Edison's memoirs, diaries, notebooks, and letters, as well as accounts of Edison and his inventions as presented by the popular media. We thus witness Edison fashioning his own self image-sometimes in contradictory ways-just as the press was turning him into a media hero. Laboratory records by Edison and his assistants chart the development of the phonograph and the use of electricity, while newspaper and magazine articles bear witness to the intense speculation surrounding the social effects Edison's inventions would create."

David A. Reid, University of North Florida

Laurie Carlson has done it again! Well known for her history, science and activity books for kids, Carlson has now applied her significant energies to creating a resource for parents, teachers and children to learn more about Thomas Edison's life, times and inventions in an engaging, hands-on manner.

Like her entire catalog of kids' educational activity books, Thomas Edison for Kids provides ample context for the experiments and projects so that children may gain a full understanding of what it is that they're doing and why. Along the way, discussions of Edison's methods, perserverance, constant pursuit of knowledge model an enthusiasm for general scientific discovery not often seen by the young (or any of us, really). Additional historical context is provided by abundant archival photos and examinations of Edison's relationships with his peers, friends and rivals of the time - Tesla and Ford among them.

The activities cover a range of interests and abilities, from constructing an eletrical circuit to testing botanicals. Adults will want to read the directions thoroughly before sitting down with impatient little ones - diagrams for experiments are rather basic for those of us somewhat removed from our science class years. That said, they are usually easy to set-up and generally don't require too much in the way of specialized equipment.

One of the best features of the book is a comprehensive resource list of ideas for field trips and outings, websites, and sources for supplies needed for activities. Along with the time line and glossary they will help parents and teachers satisfy the curiosity about Edison that this book raises in their little scientists.

I'm giving more credit than is due, I'm afraid. Thomas saves a child's life and gets a chance at learning the telegraph. Ok, I get that but the follow your dream scence seems fake.

This is a simple reader meant to wet the interest of someone to learn more later. I am happy with it although when I bought it I didn't realize it was so short.

This interesting biography with excellent illustrations and primary source photographs provides facts and fun! An excellent index and table of contents provides easy navigation. The chapters are well-written, beginning with a interest-grabbing first chapter describing Edison's introduction of the electric lights to the public. Historical events and settings build a broad understanding of the lives and times of inventors and builders who paved the way for modern times.