So You Want to Be an Inventor?

I checked this out to listen to in the car with my daughter (6 1/2), partly because of the invention/inventor aspect, but also because the illustrator is David Small and I quite adore his illustrations!

So You Want to be an Inventor describes the sorts of characteristics that are beneficial to inventors by using those characteristics to describe inventors in the past. For example, "Don't worry if people laugh at you" precedes Robert Fulton's initially laughed at steamboat and presumed hoaxer Robert Goddard, who invented a liquid-fuel rocket, in 1926.

I found this interesting and fun (the audio was well-done and expressive), and my daughter requested we listen to the 30-minute audio several times (and would then discourse on all her show more inventive ideas!). She read along with the book, but for younger kids, there is a CD which includes an audio track with page-turn signals. (There are also biographical notes on all the inventors mentioned - 40 in all - and a bibliography.)

Highly recommended! show less

This book teaches children about famous inventors like Thomas Edison and Eli Whitney, and also introduces them to other inventor who may not be as well know, but are equally as brilliant. Kids may be inspired to create their own inventions, no idea is too crazy to try. I’m sure people told David Bushnell that he was crazy to try to make a boat that traveled underwater, but with the help of his brother he invented the submarine. The point is to never give up on your dreams, keep trying, don’t let others talk you out of it, and learn from your mistakes. Some of the greatest inventions ever created exist by mistake!

So You Want to Be an Inventor is a great book for children grades three to five. It is all about famous inventions and inventors that you may never have thought about. I liked this book for two reasons and the first is its informational aspect. The book is a clear example of an informational text but is exciting and relatable. Each page tells the story of a different set of inventions and who invented the, but relates it back to the reader by asking a question or making a point. An example of this would be on the first page when the author asks, “Are you a kid who likes to tinker with machines that clink and clank, levers that pull, bells that ring, cogs that grind, switches that turn on and off, wires that vibrate, dials that show more spin?” The writing is both engaging and pulls the reader in to want to read more. The book also includes a biographical index in the back that explains each inventor. Another reason I liked the book was because of its fun illustrations. The pictures are very bright and engaging, along with humorous. The inventors are drawn very silly but allow readers to become interested and understanding of the story. Overall, the big idea of the book is to inform readers about famous inventors and their inventions in a fun way. show less

Kearsten says: I checked this out to listen to in the car with my daughter (6 1/2 yrs old), partly because of the invention/inventor aspect, but also because the illustrator is David Small and I quite adore his illustrations!

So You Want to Be an Inventor describes the sorts of characteristics that are beneficial to inventors by using those characteristics to describe inventors in the past. For example, "Don't worry if people laugh at you" precedes Robert Fulton's initially laughed at steamboat, and presumed hoaxer Robert Goddard, who invented a liquid-fuel rocket in 1926.

I found this interesting and fun (the audio was well-done and expressive), and my daughter requested we listen to the 30-minute audio several times (and would then show more discourse on all her inventive ideas!). She read along with the book, but for younger kids, there is a second CD which includes an audio track with page-turn signals. (There are also biographical notes on all the inventors mentioned - 40 in all - and a bibliography.)

Highly recommended! show less

This is a book that educates children on famous inventions and inventors and encourages them to invent things themselves. It tells about famous inventors like Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Ford and also tells about not as well known inventors like Cyrus McCormick, who invented the mechanical wheat reaper, and female inventor Josephine Cochran, who invented the first dishwasher. I particularly enjoyed this book because it included female inventors, not just male inventors!

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! This book is loaded with inventions that work and some that dont. Each is presented in a humor style, an easy to read format with terrific illustrations! This book would be an excellent read aloud for grades 2-8. I would use it to introduce science concepts, invention, historical commentary, to foster creativity, perseverance, personal best. Some topics covered are the transistor, coffins, x-rays, computers, filament, airplanes, brakes, movie camera, phone, rubber tires, etc..... You name it, its probably in there! This book is wonderful!! Grades 2-8
CAUTION: guiillotine

This beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book outlines the inventions of over 40 inventors, from Gutenberg’s printing press to Igor Sikorsky’s helicopter. Each two page spread begins with a statement about inventing, such as “If you want to be an inventor, keep your eyes open!” and “If you want to be an inventor, find a need and fill it.” The text does on to outline the successes, and sometimes failures, of inventors who embody the statement.

The book is rather long, 48 pages plus biographical notes and a bibliography, so it is best read aloud to older elementary school kids (grades 2-5). If you’d like to share it with a younger audience, I suggest reading a page or two each day to spread it out over a few weeks. show more The illustrations were done with ink, watercolor, and pastel chalk. Small has done a wonderful job of drawing the inventors so that they are easily recognizable, yet his loose and whimsical style is always present.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-132-so-you-want-to-be-inventor-... show less