I is for Idea: An Inventions Alphabet (Science Alphabet) by Schonberg, Marcia(December 15, 2006) Paperback

by Marcia Schonberg

For every budding scientist who would like to think beyond the smoking volcano, diorama, and colored graphs of the typical school science fair. I is for Idea explores the development of bicycles, zippers, toilets, computers, and many other inventions that we now take for granted in our daily lives. Readers will learn about the inventors and the genesis behind these ever-present and useful items. Curious kids will find plenty of inspiration as they discover the answers to their continuous questions. What is the basis for the phrase the real McCoy? What actually is the mother of invention? What kitchen appliance was developed after a scientists candy bar suddenly melted?

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty six inventions, from aluminum to odomoeter to zipper, are highlighted in this colorful picturebook. Each entry includes a simple sentence that names and briefly describes an invention. For older students or more specific discussion, a set of paragraphs describe the invention in greater detail. Appendix includes a set of 14 questions (answers included) that encourage readers to think more on what they learned while reading. Also at the end is a full page on patents - what they are and why they are important. Illustrations are large and colorful, showing the invention in use, most often the original version is depicted (wooden bicycle, old style radio).

[Mr. Canning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat book alphabet book that has an invention for each letter. The one I liked best was Oil because it told how Elijah McCoy, an African-American inventor, made the oil can and lubricating oil for trains so that they wouldn't have to stop to lubricate. His oil was so good people insisted on using his original product and no substitute. When people bought oil they asked "Is this the real McCoy?" Now you and I both know where that expression comes from.

[Mr. Canning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat book alphabet book that has an invention for each letter. The one I liked best was Oil because it told how Elijah McCoy, an African-American inventor, made the oil can and lubricating oil for trains so that they wouldn't have to stop to lubricate. His oil was so good people insisted on using his original product and no substitute. When people bought oil they asked "Is this the real McCoy?" Now you and I both know where that expression comes from.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideas are the key to success. It allows creativity to design something that has not been made yet. Learning how ideas and inventions were started can help children open their minds to new ideas and explore it.

[Alicia Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this is a good book to spark a child's interest in a new thing. This book lists of an invention for each letter of the alphabet and then it gives a little bit of information about every single invention. This brief description could inspire a student to learn more about that invention.

[Addie Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this book as a mentor text to inspire my students creating their own A to Z books. My colleague had the original idea and shared several texts with me. I think this one is an excellent model of quality expository writing in the format of an A to Z book intended for an older audience.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The information about the inventors and inventions is excellent. The poems are often stilted and awkward.

East Coast Greenway = 2,500 miles of trail from Maine to Florida
https://www.eastcoasttrail.com/Module...

National Inventors Hall of Fame, Akron OH

FEMALE INVENTORS:

BLANCHARD, AUGUSTA, ?? = INVENTED ZIGZAG STITCH

HENRY, BEULAH LOUISE, ?? = UMBRELLA

MALE INVENTORS:

BURBANK, LUTHER, ?? = IDAHO POTATO MID-1800S
CARVER, GEORGE WASHINGTON, USA = PEANUT BUTTER ?? & CROP ROTATION

CLAUDE, GEORGES, FRANCE = NEON LIGHT 1910

FARNSWORTH, PHILO, ?? = ELECTRIC WASHING MACHINE & TV

FRANKLIN, BEN, USA = ODOMETER 1775

GOODYEAR, CHARLES, ?? = VOLCANIZED RUBBER 1844

HARINGTON, SIR JOHN, UK = FLUSH TOILET 1596


HOWE, ELIAS, USA = SEWING MACHINE [SUED ISAAC SINGER FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT & WON]

KILBY, JACK, ?? = INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WON HIM NOBEL PRIZE 2000

MARCONI, GUGLIELMO, ITALY = RADIO 1895

TESLA, NICOLA,?? = RADIO WAVE EXPERIMENTS EARLIER THAN MARCONI AND IN 1943 US SUPREME COURT AWARDED PATENT RIGHTS TO TESLA

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe with a bit more editing...this was just a little TMI.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book with lots of information about inventions! It has great illustrations. Good for all ages!

[Erika Tortorice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an alphabet book. I liked it but it seemed a little too much information for a young reader. I myself did not want to read everything on the pages, so I am sure it would not hold the attention of a younger reader. The author used the main part of the page to tie together the letter with a word starting with the same letter. Then the author used outside edge of the book to explain about the item listed for the letter. The illustrator used muted colors in the book and illistrated the picture so the reader would know what the item was the author was taking about. Many things decribed were items that most children would never come across or really thought about in that manner. I would not use this book nor recommend it to anyone.