Ibn al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See

National Geographic Readers: Level 3

by Libby Romero

Celebrated in a film featuring Omar Sharif in his final role, meet the scientist known as the "Father of Optics," Ibn al-Haytham!

During the golden age of science, knowledge, and invention in Muslim civilization -- also known as the "Dark Ages" in Western Europe -- this incredible scholar discovered how we see and set the stage for the methods we now know as the scientific process. Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about this fascinating scientist. 

The level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers. This book is a companion to the international educational campaign, "1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn al-Haytham," that includes interactive exhibits, workshops, live shows, and a 12-minute film starring Omar Sharif in his final film role before his death.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Picture Books, Childrens, Middle Grade

48 pages, Paperback

Published July 12, 2016

About the author

Libby Romero worked as a teacher and a journalist before dedicating herself to becoming an author.

Reviews

[حياة الياقوت · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب رائع. كم نحتاج إلى كتب من هذا النوع، تجمع بين المحتوى المنتقى بعناية، والإخراج الجميل، والإتقان.

[Asmaa Hasona · Rating 5 out of 5]

جميل وشائق.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent addition to a superb children's nonfiction series. Ibn al-Haytham, who lived in the 10th and 11th centuries, made important discoveries in the field of optics. He may even have been the first person to use the scientific method.

[Tareque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew about Al Hasan's discovery about the way we see but could not stop myself from reading it again.

[MindfulMuslimReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Known as the “father of modern optics,” Ibn al-Haytham also set the standard for the modern scientific method—not accepting conventional beliefs as true until he could verify it through independent reason and observation. One of the real-life heroes of the Muslim Golden Age, Ibn al-Haytham has a colorful life story. He stayed true to his search for knowledge, challenged the “mad caliph”, and finally made discoveries which benefited humanity. A true polymath, Haytham was a theologian, a philosopher, a scientist, and an astronomer. He embodied the notion that Islam sets us a on path to search for truth—and that the truth with lead you to Allah ﷻ.

Read more at MindfulMuslimReader.com.
“Books Worth Reading”

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This National Geographic Kids title has almost everything I am looking for in a nonfiction title to use with my library classes. Text features include pronunciation guides, captions, labels, table of contents, glossary, index, headings, timeline, and excellent illustrations are paired with a well-written account of the life and contributions of Ibn al-Haytham. The one thing that I found lacking, particularly considering that I want to use this book with some of my library lessons, is that no bibliography/recommended reading/selected resources have been included.

On a totally random side note, is it my imagination, or does the cover image look a bit like George Clooney?

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid kids bio/science book. I love when bios stick to the facts and don't make up feelings or dialogue we don't have evidence for. Good bit of history, nice explanation of the behavior of light. (Seriously, thanks for the whole why images in a camera obscura are upside down bit.)

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bit of a stretch for the girls, both in content and length. But it was super fascinating and expressed the way sight works simply. Plus it’s fun to read about a man who is considered perhaps the first scientist.

[sidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was for my 8 year old, for one of his classes. We used part of the book & it was very well informative & helpful.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome !

[Khalid Abdel Dayem · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب التاسع بعد المئة لتحدي القراءة لعام 2023

كتيب صغير للفتيان يتحدث عن الحسن ابن الهيثم مختصرا عن حياته وعلمه واختراعاته في عالم البصريات

[Hanan M.Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

اسهل وافضل وامتع طريقة لسرد السيرة ، كتاب جميل

[Adrianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information was great, but I could tell the illustrations were done with Ai. If the illustrations were done by an actual person I would have rated this book higher.

[Khaled Abdel dayem · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب التاسع بعد المئة لتحدي القراءة لعام 2023

كتيب صغير للفتيان يتحدث عن الحسن ابن الهيثم مختصرا عن حياته وعلمه واختراعاته في عالم البصريات

[Safwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and simple, with each page containing less writing and more illustrations.

Great story of Ibn Al-Haytham.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to see Muslim scientists getting the recognition they deserve.

More of these on the Muslim trailblazers that we know of that the world has forgotten, needed!

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ibn al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See by Libby Romero is a very interesting book about a Muslim scholar who discovered how our eyes work. Ibn al-Haytham didn’t only find out how our eyes worked, but he challenged many other theories.
Although I already had a basic knowledge of how we see things prior to reading this book, my mind was opened to how the thoughts and everything were originally conceptualized. I would never of guessed that the same person who discovered how our eyes worked also was challenged to build a dam for the Nile River in Egypt. I don't want to spoil too much, but this book is also filled with lots of fun facts. The text is also thoroughly supported with helpful context clues throughout the entirety of the book.
I would give this book a 4 stars out of 5. It was a great book, although sometimes, it could get a little unintriguing. I would recommend it to anyone, especially kids who are interested in the human body. This book is a great read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really found this book fascinating! It covered so many important elements of scientists and scientific study. I did not know how much of an impact al-Haytham made on science with his work in light and optics. His implementation of the scientific method at that junction in history is incredible. I loved the information/text in this book. The illustrations were wonderful and I found it to be very interesting and age appropriate. I also loved the timeline and the quiz at the end of the book. Highly recommend to elementary libraries.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit reading this book. While I was already aware of the basics of how the eyes work. I wasn't aware of Ibn al-Haytham and his work that helped the world learn about vision and light. The book is well done, as are all National Geographic Kids books. And I appreciated the author pointing out the gaps we have in what we know about the man. But there is enough here to be interesting. And it's great that the subject of this biography is a lesser-known individual. I know my library needs more books about lesser-known individuals who have made a difference in the world.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always National Geographic puts out an amazing read for level 3 readers. This book is about the man who discover how we see, Ibn-al-Haytham. There were some very interesting, fun facts that we (my daughter and I) read about. We both learned things about this man, schools, the 96 books written, etc. If you and your child are looking for a quick learner, informative, and neat book of facts, this is the book for you!!!! Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Cornmaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice bio of one of the first important scientists. Lots of his discoveries led to other discoveries, and future scientists fed off of his work. The illustrations are gorgeous, and there is just the right amount of information for a young child. New, challenging words are defined, and much of the science is explained very well.

[Emily Ever · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book - perfect for the age level. Although, as an adult I was left wondering about the whole pretending-to-be-insane-and-being-locked-up-for-11-years thing.

I clearly have some googleing to do

[Abidah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would recommend it to everyone - A must read, especially for scientists :)

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the man who not only pioneered the field of optics, but also basically fathered the scientific method. Great book, full of illustrations that add to the clarity of the text.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at a scientist I had never heard of. The scientist who discovered how we see and the nature of light.

[Bint Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really loved this book. My dear Children wanted to learn more about Ibn Al Haytham . It is a good book for children but also lovely for an adult !

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is his face so anglicized??