The Woman Who Invented the Thread That Stops Bullets.

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit.  The Woman Who Invented the Thread That Stops Bullets.   Enslow  2014  48p  $23.93  ISBN 978-7660-4141-7  elem       series: Genius Inventors and Their Great Ideas  Biography  VG

Stephanie Kwolek, a chemist working for DuPont Industries, invented Kevlar when she was working to develop a lightweight polymer that would be strong enough to replace the steel fibers found in tires.  In her early childhood her father taught her the value of patience and true listening, both of which paid off throughout her life and work.    With photographs on almost every page and simple sentences, the author has created a very interesting biography about a relatively unknown inventor.  It is obvious that many of the photographs are simply fillers, although they still relate to the text, such as the full-page photograph of the woods on page 11. Considering the elementary-age readership, this makes some sense, but it still seems a tad much.  The text is well written and informative.  One interesting component of the book is the “You be the inventor!” section, which walks youngsters through the invention process from idea to patent. The book concludes with a timeline, glossary, and index.

What keeps this from being a book of note, for this reader, is that several of the photographs/images in the book are pixelated or blurry. Just as in editing text, publishers should take the time to ensure that images of all types are of an excellent quality.  There is so much software out there to ensure this, that to have subpar illustrations just shows a lack of concern for quality.      

All of the inventors in this series will be of interest to youngsters, and these books to a good job of presenting their biographies in a very easily read format.  There may be image quality issues, but they should not detract from the quality of the text.     

Summary: Stephanie Kwolek, a chemist working for DuPont Industries, invented Kevlar when working to develop a lightweight polymer that would be strong enough to replace the steel fibers found in tires. In her early childhood her father taught her the value of patience and true listening, both of which paid off throughout her life and work.

Invention, Biography                                  --Lynn Fisher

The Man Who Invented the Laser.

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit.  The Man Who Invented the Laser.  Enslow     2014  48p  $15.95  ISBN 978-0-7660-4138-7 elem/ms  series: Genius Inventors and Their Great Ideas  Biography  VG-BNS  

This concise book delivers a wealth of information. The crisply written text provides information about Theodore H. Maimen’s persistence and determination, and both his failures and his accomplishments, resulting in his ultimate invention of the laser.  This well-organized, brief book chronicles Theodore’s life and his determination to invent and prove the diversity of uses for the laser.

In addition to the informative text, the visual appeal will entice and engage young readers. Primary sources in the form of photographs, both black-and-white and color, compliment and clarify the text.  Photographic captions provide further details.

This book also encourages innovation among young people, providing information about creating and patenting inventions.  With its table of contents, timeline, patent acquisition information, glossary, lists of resources to learn more, and comprehensive index, this book is a great resource for aspiring inventors and young researchers.

This is one book in the Genius Inventors and Their Great Ideas series.  There are currently six titles in the series, which includes the inventors of the electric guitar, the Ferris wheel, television, Kevlar (bullet-proof thread), and the game of basketball.

Summary: Details the life of Theodore H. Maiman, inventor of the laser, including his childhood inventions, his determination, his associates and his success.

Theodore H. Maiman, Laser                             --Virginia McGarvey

The Man Who Invented the Game of Basketball.

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit.  The Man Who Invented the Game of Basketball.  Enslow  2014    48p   $15.95  ISBN 978-7660-4142-4  elem      series: Genius Inventors and Their Great Ideas  Biography  VG-BN

This book covers the life of James Naismith and his invention of the game of basketball.  Sports books are always popular with reluctant readers and this title is no exception.  Approximately half the book is devoted to Naismith’s childhood in Canada and the early influences that led him to become a Presbyterian minister.  His aptitude for athletics and desire to work with young people led him to obtain a job with the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, rather than a career with a church.  It is there that he invented the game of basketball to provide a winter exercise opportunity. The evolution of the game is very briefly covered, but the focus of the book is biographical.  The “You Be the Inventor!” section seems to be an odd addition to a sports book, but this title is part of a series on inventors, not purely sports figures.  A timeline, glossary, index and list of resources for further reading are included.  The series covers notable people in a wide variety of fields. Recommended for beginning and reluctant readers. Grades 3-5.

Summary: The life of James Naismith and his invention of the game of basketball. Grades 3-5.   

Basketball, Sports biography                    -–Stephanie Pennucci

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit. The Guy Who Invented Home Video Games: Ralph Baer

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit. The Guy Who Invented Home Video Games: Ralph Baer
Enslow 2010 32p 22.60 978-0-7660-3450-1
elem E-BNS Genius At Work! Great Inventor Biog


Biographical look at the inventor of the home video game. He dared to ask “What else can a TV do?” His prototype opened the door to the home video game industry. Rudolf Heinrich Baer was born in Germany in 1922. Persecuted as Jews, the family escaped to Holland then America. His name was changed to Ralph. Seeing an advertisement for radio and television repairmen, Ralph took the correspondence course. There was good work during W.W.II when new equipment could not be purchased. After serving in the army, Baer moved on to learning about television and worked in military electronics. While waiting for an engineer, he drew the technical concept for a video game controller. The first prototype was called the Brown Box. Magnavox bought the rights and sold it as the Odyssey game system. His next invention was Simon. Others have followed. In 2006 Baer received the National Medal of Honor for Technology.
This text includes a brief glossary, a list of both book and web site resources, and an index. The photographs enhance the text. This gives a good introduction to a little known inventor.
Very highly recommended for upper elementary grades. Theal, Joan

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit. It’s The Man Behind the Gun: Samuel Colt

Wyckoff, Edwin Brit It’s The Man Behind the Gun: Samuel Colt
Enslow 2010 32p 22.60 978-0-7660-3446-4
elm/ms biographical info about inventor of 6-shooter E-BNes Genius At Work!


Samuel Colt was an inspiration to the inventors of his time with his invention of the 6-shooter and other weapons, his use of mass production and his ability to interest the world in his product!
Enslow Pub. is lucky to have writers like Edwin Brit Wyckoff! He knows how to interest children in reading with his interesting chapter titles. To these, he adds a catchy introduction and lively writing style, choosing information that will make a child think he/she is reading fiction, not nonfiction! Divided into 5 chapters, the book begins with early biographical data and includes the motivation behind the invention of the 6-shooter. In Chapter Two, the author describes the invention, leading the reader into a description of conflict that is sure to please readers of all ages! Wyckoff explains that the reason why Colt almost went broke trying to sell his weapon to the U. S. Government is because a self-serving pair of military colonels kept him from getting contracts! Why? The answer lies in their selfish need to protect their own interests! Colt prevails, and in Chapter Four, we see how he moves forward to mass produce his weapons, to invent more and to market them worldwide. Simply stated, Colt was ingenious! He combined skills at machinery maintenance, science and showmanship to become a multi-millionaire by the age of 45. In the last chapter, we learn of his early death due to a common cold that turned into pneumonia. The world lost a humanitarian who wanted to build a technical school but who never lived to fulfill his dream. The timeline, lists of vocabulary & resources, and index are just icing on the cake of this gem of a book for young readers. Squaresky, Martha