Review by Booklist Review
This dual picture-book biography of how Thomas Edison inspired Henry Ford succeeds in showing the emotional side of the life of an inventor: success requires more than just one or two or even two dozen attempts. Reinhardt's soft, amiable watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil artwork provides a lot of visual detail about both Edison's and Ford's passions, while Slade's text explains each man's inspiration and the way his inventions fundamentally changed the world. Ample source notes and a comprehensive dual time line help explain some of Slade and Reinhardt's depictions of Ford and Edison, and photo-illustrated notes about each inventor's most memorable creations provide substantial information to get kids started on research projects. While there are abundant compilations for kids about inventions and inventors, Slade and Reinhardt keep the focus solidly on the human element of frustration, persistence, and the power of a mentor. It's an unusual angle and well executed, which makes it a good fit for STEM-oriented programs as well as storytimes about the benefit of good friendships.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"What's his secret?" That's the question dogging Henry Ford as he watches Thomas Edison's phonograph and incandescent bulb take off, while his own attempts to create steam and gas engines sputter. Slade shifts between the developing careers of both men until, while discussing engines with Edison at a dinner in 1896, Ford gets his answer: "Keep at it!" Edison shouts encouragingly. Reinhardt's mixed-media artwork includes several lighthearted moments (parallel scenes featuring Edison and Ford as children highlight the explosive results of early failed experiments). Extensive endnotes discuss Slade's and Reinhardt's processes and several of the inventions mentioned, along with a time line and source notes. It's a rewarding look at the importance of persistence, as well as the friendship that developed between these prominent inventors. Ages 6-9. Illustrator's agent: Marietta Zacker, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4-Jennifer Black Reinhardt's whimsical drawings are given a touch of animation in this adaptation of Suzanne Slade's lighthearted picture book (Charlesbridge, 2015) about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford-gears turn, arms and heads move, cars glide across the landscape. Sound effects illustrate the interests of each inventor, from the fizz of Thomas's electricity to the putt and sputter of Henry's engines. The alternating stories of the two inventors unfold, as the younger man, Henry, becomes envious of Thomas's success and fame with the invention of his electric pen and the phonograph. Henry wonders what the secret of Thomas's success is. Henry's dream is to design a car that has enough room for a family and is light and affordable. When he has the opportunity to meet and speak with Thomas, he travels from his home in Detroit to New York City, where they both attend the same dinner. Thomas takes an interest in the younger inventor and offers his advice to "keep at it." Henry does just that, eventually designing the Model T, a light, fast car with a four-cylinder gas engine and enough room for a family. This entertaining offering encourages perseverance and portrays two important inventors in a lighthearted way, highlighting their foibles as well as their successes. VERDICT Students looking for biographical information will need additional resources, but for the basics, this is a winning selection.-Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Two boys who "just had to see how things worked" grow into two of America's great inventors and manufacturers: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. When Henry, frustrated by repeated failure, meets Thomas, he gets simple yet critical advice: "Keep at it." A lively tale of tenacity and passion, illustrated with watercolor and pencil-and-ink illustrations that reflect the text's energy and high spirits. Timeline. Bib. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
What would a renowned, established inventor have to say to a hopeful young tinkerer?Slade precedes her description of a historical meeting with interwoven accounts: one of Thomas, a disaster-prone experimenter who parlays an early interest in gadgets and electricity into a pen that produces multiple copies, a phonograph, and hundreds of other popular innovations; the other of Henry, born 16 years later, whose yen to produce a practical, inexpensive motor car encounters obstacle after frustrating obstacle. At last, hoping for insight into Edison's success, Henry buttonholes the great inventor at an 1896 dinner. The two instantly fall into a technical discussion, climaxed by the excited Edison's "Keep at it!" And, of course, Ford goes on to craft his Models A through T, the "Tin Lizzy." Reinhardt's watercolor scenes, often bordered with toothed gears or antique-looking curlicues, feature two dapper but slightly rumpled figures thinking, tinkering, and showing off the iconic products of their determined efforts. Along with noting specific design changes and flaws in selected early Fords, the author and illustrator close with fuller notes on major Edison-ian inventions, the development of the Model T, and particularly the lifelong friendship that the encounter kindled between these two giants of industrial technology.Not exactly eloquent advice, perhaps, but on target. (timeline, source notes, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 8-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
