Plot Summary
Down through the ages of time, women have been inventing contraptions to make life easier for themselves and the human race. However, it wasn't until the year 1715 that a woman, Sybilla Masters, finally patented an invention, in her husband's name because women weren't allowed to have patents at that time. Over 70 years passed before the next patent was issued for an invention attributed to female. Then there was Becky Schroeder, who, at 10 years of age, became the youngest female to every receive a patent. This book is chock-full of interesting facts and the details surrounding them in the world of women inventors.
Personal Reaction
I think this would be a very effective way to promote a bit of self-esteem for middle school girls. I also think the contents of this book would have an appeal to boys as well. All might be surprised to know that, thanks to women, the world enjoys Kevlar, windshield wipers, space bumpers (protect space equipment and vehicles from collisions with space debris), Glo-sheets (paper that glows in the dark), chocolate chip cookies, and much, much more.
Memorable Literary Element
With a book about inventions it would be very tempting to use highly technical language that would be above the comprehension of the common adult, let alone children. Catherine Thimmesh does an outstanding job of keeping the biographical information and descriptions of the inventions on a common, everyday person level
Illustrations
Melissa Sweet used a combination of water colors and scrapbooking to create illustrations that pop off the page. Many are so detailed that the reader finds him/herself drawn into the pictures as they take in every detail.
Down through the ages of time, women have been inventing contraptions to make life easier for themselves and the human race. However, it wasn't until the year 1715 that a woman, Sybilla Masters, finally patented an invention, in her husband's name because women weren't allowed to have patents at that time. Over 70 years passed before the next patent was issued for an invention attributed to female. Then there was Becky Schroeder, who, at 10 years of age, became the youngest female to every receive a patent. This book is chock-full of interesting facts and the details surrounding them in the world of women inventors.
Personal Reaction
I think this would be a very effective way to promote a bit of self-esteem for middle school girls. I also think the contents of this book would have an appeal to boys as well. All might be surprised to know that, thanks to women, the world enjoys Kevlar, windshield wipers, space bumpers (protect space equipment and vehicles from collisions with space debris), Glo-sheets (paper that glows in the dark), chocolate chip cookies, and much, much more.
Memorable Literary Element
With a book about inventions it would be very tempting to use highly technical language that would be above the comprehension of the common adult, let alone children. Catherine Thimmesh does an outstanding job of keeping the biographical information and descriptions of the inventions on a common, everyday person level
Illustrations
Melissa Sweet used a combination of water colors and scrapbooking to create illustrations that pop off the page. Many are so detailed that the reader finds him/herself drawn into the pictures as they take in every detail.
Reviews/Awards
2001 IRA Children's Book Award
Children's Book of the Month Club Best Nonfiction Book 2000
Minnesota Book Award finalist
Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children 2001
Smithsonian Notable Book 2000
Publishers Weekly - PW called this compilation of personal profiles "an inspired ode to women inventors." Ages 8-up. (Mar.)
From School Library JournalGrade 5-8-An outstanding collective biography of women and girls who changed the world with their inventions. Thimmesh surveys unique and creative ideas that were both borne of necessity or were simply a product of ingenuity and hard work. Included are Bette Nesmith Graham, who invented Liquid Paper, known more commonly as "white-out," and Ann Moore, who emulated the way African mothers carried their babies to create the Snugli. While working for NASA, Jeanne Lee Crews invented the "space bumper" that protects spacecraft and astronauts. The last few individuals highlighted utilized their creativity at a fairly young age. Becky Schroeder was 10 when she invented Glo-sheet paper, which enables people to write in the dark. She became the youngest female to receive a U.S. patent. The book also encourages young women to start inventing themselves and offers a list of organizations with postal and Internet addresses to help them get started. Colorful collage artwork shows the women and their creations and adds vibrancy and lightness to the text. -Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City
Booklist - There’s no organization to speak of, neither chronological nor alphabetical. However, this very attractive, informative book will find an audience among browsers and report writers alike. Ten women and two girls are given a few pages each. Included are Mary Anderson, who invented the windshield wiper (after she was told it wouldn’t work); Ruth Wakefield, who, by throwing chunks of chocolate in her cookie batter, gave Toll House cookies to the world; and young Becky Schroeder, who invented Glo-paper because she wanted to write in the dark. The text is written in a fresh, breezy manner, but it is the artwork that is really outstanding. Melissa Sweet’s mixed-media collages almost jump off the pages. For instance, the chocolate-chip cookie recipe is handwritten on a card, which sits on the page of an old cookbook, pasted to a wooden cutting board, set against an old-fashioned tablecloth. Watercolor portraits of the inventors also appear in each chapter, along with historical material or drawings of individual objects. The endpapers list women inventors, beginning at 3000 B.C., when silk was invented by a Chinese empress. The final section tells girls how to patent their inventions, and an informed bibliography and Web site list will help them do just that. (Reviewed March 15, 2000)— Ilene Cooper
2001 IRA Children's Book Award
Children's Book of the Month Club Best Nonfiction Book 2000
Minnesota Book Award finalist
Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children 2001
Smithsonian Notable Book 2000
Publishers Weekly - PW called this compilation of personal profiles "an inspired ode to women inventors." Ages 8-up. (Mar.)
From School Library JournalGrade 5-8-An outstanding collective biography of women and girls who changed the world with their inventions. Thimmesh surveys unique and creative ideas that were both borne of necessity or were simply a product of ingenuity and hard work. Included are Bette Nesmith Graham, who invented Liquid Paper, known more commonly as "white-out," and Ann Moore, who emulated the way African mothers carried their babies to create the Snugli. While working for NASA, Jeanne Lee Crews invented the "space bumper" that protects spacecraft and astronauts. The last few individuals highlighted utilized their creativity at a fairly young age. Becky Schroeder was 10 when she invented Glo-sheet paper, which enables people to write in the dark. She became the youngest female to receive a U.S. patent. The book also encourages young women to start inventing themselves and offers a list of organizations with postal and Internet addresses to help them get started. Colorful collage artwork shows the women and their creations and adds vibrancy and lightness to the text. -Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City
Booklist - There’s no organization to speak of, neither chronological nor alphabetical. However, this very attractive, informative book will find an audience among browsers and report writers alike. Ten women and two girls are given a few pages each. Included are Mary Anderson, who invented the windshield wiper (after she was told it wouldn’t work); Ruth Wakefield, who, by throwing chunks of chocolate in her cookie batter, gave Toll House cookies to the world; and young Becky Schroeder, who invented Glo-paper because she wanted to write in the dark. The text is written in a fresh, breezy manner, but it is the artwork that is really outstanding. Melissa Sweet’s mixed-media collages almost jump off the pages. For instance, the chocolate-chip cookie recipe is handwritten on a card, which sits on the page of an old cookbook, pasted to a wooden cutting board, set against an old-fashioned tablecloth. Watercolor portraits of the inventors also appear in each chapter, along with historical material or drawings of individual objects. The endpapers list women inventors, beginning at 3000 B.C., when silk was invented by a Chinese empress. The final section tells girls how to patent their inventions, and an informed bibliography and Web site list will help them do just that. (Reviewed March 15, 2000)— Ilene Cooper
Promotion Idea
August has been designated National Inventors Month. This book could be used to spark conversation about inventors and inventions. Giving students an opportunity to try to invent something useful could be incorporated into the lesson, as well. the suggested lesson plan below. Incorporating Legos and duct tape into the extension activity would allow students to design and create their own inventions. Two short videos below could spark ideas and should be shown prior to the the activity.
August has been designated National Inventors Month. This book could be used to spark conversation about inventors and inventions. Giving students an opportunity to try to invent something useful could be incorporated into the lesson, as well. the suggested lesson plan below. Incorporating Legos and duct tape into the extension activity would allow students to design and create their own inventions. Two short videos below could spark ideas and should be shown prior to the the activity.
compvoclessonplan_inventions.doc | |
File Size: | 69 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Visit Catherine Thimmesh's official website here.
Visit Melissa Sweet's official website here.
PBSKids has a feature called Invent It, Build It. Check out the challenges here.
View a Lego Robotics Promo video here.
Encourage your students to take the Scholastic Duct Tape Challenge. Details here. By the way, do you know who is responsible for the invention of Duct Tape? Vesta Stoudt, a woman!
Visit Melissa Sweet's official website here.
PBSKids has a feature called Invent It, Build It. Check out the challenges here.
View a Lego Robotics Promo video here.
Encourage your students to take the Scholastic Duct Tape Challenge. Details here. By the way, do you know who is responsible for the invention of Duct Tape? Vesta Stoudt, a woman!