OLA 2009 BEST BET!
What's the Big Idea? focuses on those inventions that help fulfill people's six basic needs: food, sleep, security, shelter, companionship, and good health. Main spreads feature a specific invention such as the wheel and axle, paper, bicycles, or the Internet. Each one starts with a "What’s the Big Idea?" box that explains the problem the inventors were trying to solve. It answers the pertinent questions: Why this invention and why now? "Fast Facts" and "Big Ideas" sidebars give young readers quick blasts of information reference-style. Twelve special spreads scattered throughout the book highlight either a famous inventor or a specific theme. The "Inventor Biography" spreads profile inventors such as da Vinci, Galileo, and Thomas Edison, and summarize their main inventions. Comic strips deliver an added snippet of information and a humorous punch. Helaine Becker's witty, inventive text and Steve Attoe's wonderfully whimsical art make this a book children can enjoy while they learn.
Kids! Looking for more nifty invento-facts that aren't in the book?
Look for them here.
"Boredom Blasters and The Insecto-Files author Helaine Becker delves into the history of technology in What’s the Big Idea? Split into four chronological sections spanning 4,000 years, the book examines groundbreaking innovations and highlights a few “Big Thinkers.” Becker infuses her explanations with an engaging conversational tone, catchy quips, and occasionally obscure puns (e.g., “A Newcomen on the Scene”). She also makes a point of noting some of the many lesser-known women innovators, crediting them in the handy highlights bar that runs across the bottom of most pages...
Steve Attoe’s cartoonish illustrations fill the pages with humorous and helpful visuals. Where the text is lengthy and complicated, Attoe’s drawings capture the workings of various devices...the eye-popping cover, creative design, and engaging content should make it a popular choice for young would-be inventors."
- Quill and Quire"The author begins by introducing the basic needs of human existence, such as food and security, showing how each led to inventions that satisfied these needs. She then illustrates how these early discoveries were developed over time into more sophisticated applications. A typically attractive, informative and highly readable new title from this popular author."
- Ontario Library Association Best Bets Committee
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"A typically attractive, informative and highly readable new title from this popular author."
Long-listed for the 2010 Information Book Award
