Special Selections from Perrot's Youth Services Staff
August 2008
Since August is National Invention Month AND the Summer Olympics in Beijing, we have a two-part list.
Some of our staff members picked their favorite book about inventors and inventions,
while others picked their favorite books about the Olympics.
Take a look:
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Elympics by X.J. Kennedy, illustrated by Graham Percy E KENNE
A perfect introduction to the Olympic Games for the very young, the emphasis of these poems is on good sportsmanship, the value of practice and teamwork, and trying your best.
-Miriam
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Great Moments in the Olympics by Michael Burgan J 796.48 BURGA
Recounts ten high points in the history of the Olympics, including Jesse Owens winning four gold medals against the Nazis, Nadia Comaneci receiving perfects scores in gymnastics in 1976, and Eric Heiden's performance at the 1980 Winter games.
-Barbara
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America's Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle by David A. Adler, illustrated by Terry Widener J-B EDERL After winning three gold medals at the 1924 Olympics, Gertrude Ederle became determined to be the first woman to swim the English Channel. This engaging picture-book biography focuses on her dramatic efforts to meet this challenge. She swam through stormy, treacherous waters to both beat the men's record by almost two hours and inspire newspaper reporters to proclaim the myth that women were the weaker sex had been "shattered and shattered forever." -Mrs. Mac
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Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin written and illustrated by Gene Baretta EASY J 609 FRANK
Readers are introduced to objects and processes developed by American thinker, inventor and patriot Benjamin Franklin more than 200 years ago that are still in use today. People have long relied on Franklin's innovations and inventions, which range from bifocals to lightning rods to Daylight Saving Time.
-Mrs. K
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Violet the Pilot written and illustrated by Steve Breen E BREEN
All the kids tease Violet. Don't they know that she can invent Marvelous Flying Machines and save the day?
-Mrs. Kennedy
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Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet J 609.2 THIMM Did you know that chocolate chips were invented AFTER chocolate chip cookies? Ruth Wakefield had no time to melt the chocolate for the chocolate cookies she was making, so she threw in some chopped-up baking chocolate— and a classic was born! It wasn’t until several years later, in 1939, that Nestle began manufacturing chocolate chips for specific use in Ruth’s cookies. And did you know that car windshields used to open up so drivers could see where they were going in bad weather? Mary Wakefield knew there was a better way, and invented windshield wipers in 1903. Learn about the women who invented Kevlar, Scotchgard, Liquid Paper, and some other neat things. This very readable book also features cool 3D collages that look like inventor’s scrapbooks. -Vicky
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The Way Things Work written and illustrated by David Macaulay J 600 MACAU For the curious child, this is the ultimate book! It explains how things work-- from acceleration to the zoom lens. Next time your child asks how something is done, just grab this book and find out together. -Dawn
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Check this page monthly for recommendations from our staff! Each month focuses on a different category or theme.
We'll pick our favorites, and tell you all about them! Each book cover is a link to that item in the catalog, so click there to place a hold.
Have questions about our picks, or need other recommendations? Call us! Our number is 203-637-8802.
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