Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention

by Pip Jones, Sara Ogilvie (Illustrations)

WH SMITH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019!

Izzy and Fixer are back for more machine mayhem . . . While their fellow contestants at the Invention Convention are intent on making shiny new things using old power, can Izzy and Fixer build a recycling machine fuelled by nature... AND win the coveted Genius Guild badge along the way? A joyful celebration of the magic of make-do-and-mend from the creators of the much-loved Izzy Gizmo.

PRAISE FOR IZZY ‘Jones’s loping, engaging rhymes and Ogilvie’s vivacious images evoke both inspiration and frustration’ The Guardian

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Friendship, Humor, Stem, Growth Mindset

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2019

About the author

Pip was born in Cheltenham, UK, where she spent her childhood gobbling up books and dreaming about being an author herself. At the age of 19, she began a career in journalism, writing and editing for local and national newspapers and magazines. After the births of her daughters, Pip began writing for parenting magazines and websites. In 2012, she won the inaugural Greenhouse Funny Prize, with a series of stories about Squishy McFluff: The Invisible Cat, who Pip had based on her elder daughter's 'real' imaginary kitten. The first book in the series was published by Faber Children's in 2014. Pip's first picture book, Daddy's Sandwich, was published by Faber Children's in May 2015 and was shortlisted in the Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards Picture Book category in the same year. Pip continues to write the Squishy McFluff series, and a raft of new titles are planned in the coming three years, including three further picture books, and a new young reader series. Watch this space!

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy is back and this time she needs to create an invention that will win the competition and earn a place in the Genius Guild. She's up against strong competition and has to rethink her plans several times. With Fixer's help, she develops a solar and wind powered machine that fixes broken tools so they can be used again.
Fun read aloud rhyming book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy loves to make things. But they don't always work. Which concerns her when she is invited to an invention convention to compete against other child inventors. When her invention doesn't work because one of the other contestants is using too much power, Izzy's frustration leads her to snap at her crow, Fixer. Her grandfather gently reminds her that working together is what's important. With Fixer's help, Izzy may just find a way to make her machine work. Izzy's story of persistence in the face of frustration is one that most people can relate too, especially children. The creativity exhibited in Izzy's inventions and the delightful illustrations make the book a fun one to share. The book would make a great way to encourage children to engage their own creativity and maker skills in all sorts of ways.

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book of Izzy :-)

Izzy is invited to attend the Technoff Isle's Invention Convention (enough of a tongue twister there), so along with Grandpa, and Fixer, you remember the crow? And off they go. There is a contest between "Will Digg", "Maximilian Spout" "Abi von Lavish" (mean machine!), "Gillian Din" and of course, Izzy. Abi is determined to out do everyone and manages to get ALL tht tools and other things needed to create her invention , to Izzy's dismay, but Fixer has his eyes on something. Who will win the contest? The Mean Machine, or Izzy and Fixer?

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover

Tijdens een spannende uitvindwedstrijd probeert iedereen iets bijzonders te verzinnen. Sara en Superkraai krijgen een geweldig idee.

Zal het ze lukken iets te bouwen wat de wereld mooier maakt? En maken ze kans op de Hoofdprijs?

Het is voor peuters een spannend en uitdagend verhaal. Ze vonden de tekeningen geweldig. Maar in principe voor oudere kleuters om voor te lezen.

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this one gets 4 stars is because the typo in the mean girl’s name drives me crazy. It’s Abi, not Avi. How did the editors miss that?

[Zoë Siobhan Baillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perseverance, invention, thrift, green energy, one-upping the bratty posh kid... What's not to love? Izzy, Fixer and Grandad do it again.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention by Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie, PICTURE BOOK Peachtree Publishing, 2019, $18. 9781682631645

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Izzy Gizmo and her crow friend Fixer have been invited to participate in an Invention Convention! But when Izzy gets there, Abi von Lavish (another young inventor) is taking all the best supplies and even using more than her fair share of the power supply. Izzy needs to follow Grandpa's advice and make something that is useful, environmental conscious, and that everyone needs - she comes up with the perfect thing!

Pip Jones poetic narration was reminiscent of Dr. Seuss - as were Sara Ogilvie's illustrations. The whimsical inventions were delightful to look at, and the story was perfect for today's audience. A follow up to the original Izzy Gizmo - I'm excited to see what she comes up with next.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

IZZY GIZMO AND THE INVENTION CONVENTION is a delightful, rhyming book about staying true to yourself and getting creative. Izzy Gizmo loves making machines to do helpful things. An invitation arrives from Mick Marvel to invite her to Technoff Isle, where she will compete with other inventors. Whichever invention the Professor likes most will win, and they will be inducted into the genius guild. Izzy works with her bird, Fixer, whose wings she had made after his were damaged to put together an incredible machine. However, at every turn, Abi von Lavish seems to be in the way, taking things Izzy needs for her invention. Her creativity combined with a little help from her friends may be the way to win!

What I loved: This whole book is written in rhyme, making it a delight to read aloud and listen to. I absolutely love that the main character is a girl of color who is a STEM whiz! Izzy is really cool, and I love that she takes center stage. It is also really delightful that the person deciding the winner is a female Professor. The book even gives problems to surmount/ an enemy in the form of a rich, white girl, who sees her tools as disposable and keeps getting in Izzy's way. This is action-packed and lightly suspenseful in the race to finish. I appreciated the wisdom of the grandfather and the help from Fixer that show a little bit of teamwork and support when they are needed and Izzy's machine just isn't working the way she wants it to, but ultimately, it is Izzy who comes up with the solutions.

Final verdict: Delightfully rhyming and entertaining competition, IZZY GIZMO AND THE INVENTION CONVENTION is a fun STEM journey that will appeal to young readers. Highly recommend for children of all ages.

Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy is invited to the Inventor's Convention on Technoff Isle where she has to compete against four other inventors to create a machine that will impress the judges and win her the prize of a badge to the Genius Guild. She sets off with Grandpa but can she do this, despite the efforts of Abi von Lavish, who has taken all the stores of wires, cogs and wheels? Fortunately she has her trusty friend, Fixer the crow, by her side to give her a few ideas and point her in the right direction.

Delightful story told in rhyme. Izzy's inventions don't always work and she sometimes lacks self-belief but finds the confidence and determination to carry on despite all the odds being against her. A book with diverse characters - Izzy is a girl of colour and a feisty female, and it's also good to see a male in a caring role - there is an underlying message of empowerment as well as recycling and reuse making this a topical book to read to younger children. The illustrations are messy and zany, full of wonderful details to spot - I love Grandpa hanging up the washing with his headphones on whilst Izzy is inventing a sewing machine to fix his jacket! - and are sure to spark any child's imagination.

Recommended for under 8.

[Iskra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy Gizmo is invited to the annual invention convention with four other contestants to compete for a badge at Genius Guild. After a challenging journey with her grandad and Fixer (a purple crow), Izzy arrives at the Technoff Isle to meet the judge, who wishes the children to build a stand-out machine.

Unlike other participants, Izzy is modest but willing to use her resources to the maximum: “We might not have much, but we’ll use what we’ve got.” She proves her point by using the energy from the sun for her Tool-Fix-Recycle-O-Matic, contrary to the other contestants, who exhaust a considerable amount of energy to show off the equipment they are constructing.

"Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention" is a story for older children between 6 and 9. It challenges the readers with some advanced vocabulary: ‘pristine’, ‘contraption’, and ‘consoled’. It is provocative and inspiring in terms of creating something useful and simultaneously considering the planet’s benefits. The illustrations add to the busy Science style of the competition, with a good emphasis on facial expressions.

A challenging, visual celebration of the junior inventors!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations accompany this wonderful follow up story about Izzy Gizmo who is invited to an invention convention. Izzy competes with other kids to invent something allowing her to become a member of the Genius guild if she wins. Her biggest competitor is Abi von Lavish, who gets all the parts Izzy needs for her robotic fashion designer. Now what? Without the parts, Izzy won’t be able to make anything. Like the first book, Grandpa supports her through and through because “Great inventors produce machines that can really be put to good use.” When Abi has discarded many of her tools because they are busted, Izzy has an idea. Abi also steals the power. Here is where Fixer, the crow who can fly again because of Izzy’s invention, comes up with a solution.
Rhyming text gives this story more liveliness and humor and makes it a great read aloud. This is for fans of Andrea Beaty who wrote Rosie Revere, Engineer and Ada Twist, Scientist including a strong female character of color, who can solve a problem.
R
Oral
Kindergarten through 3rd grade

[Rhyannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a library assistant who is reading picture books in her lunch break. I could get away with saying I’m doing it for my job, but alas.. I just enjoy reading all sorts of books.. children’s picture, graphic novels, junior, young adult, fiction, non fiction. You name it.. I will have a go at reading it, and it’s with this attitude that I come across gems like this.

Modern themes - showing girls inventing, being engineers and scientists, renewable energy sources, recycling - the flow of the story is great, with rhyming verse, and the illustrations are colourful and engaging.

It was just so refreshing to see a story where the central character is female, black and living with her Grandpa. It’s great to have books that offer other stories than just white boy or the children with a mum and dad. It’s important for children to have access to all sorts of stories.

I will be recommending it to my customers for sure. I only wish Izzy Gizmo had been around when I was a child. She’s my hero 💪🏻

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy Gizmo and her crow friend Fixer have been invited to participate in an Invention Convention! But when Izzy gets there, Abi von Lavish (another young inventor) is taking all the best supplies and even using more than her fair share of the power supply. Izzy needs to follow Grandpa's advice and make something that is useful, environmental conscious, and that everyone needs - she comes up with the perfect thing!

Pip Jones poetic narration was reminiscent of Dr. Seuss - as were Sara Ogilvie's illustrations. The whimsical inventions were delightful to look at, and the story was perfect for today's audience. A follow up to the original Izzy Gizmo - I'm excited to see what she comes up with next.

For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.jordandistrict.org

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy Gizmo loves tinkering with items all over the house and inventing new things. In this edition she is invited to an annual invention convention. Grandpa and Izzy use her inventions to get to the island where the convention is held- Technoff Island. THere they meet four other children who invent and Izzy must decide what she will invent when the others have taken all the supplies. But Izzy happens on an idea that will help others as well as be good for the contest. Will she and Grandpa and Fixer be able to make an invention that will surprise and amaze the judges with the stiff competition?

[Christine Turner]

Author Pip Jones and illustrator Sara Ogilvie team up again to produce a wonderfully exuberant STEAM-filled story starring a very inspiring and determined heroine.

Izzy Gizmo has been invited to Technoff Isle?s annual convention where the inventor of the best machine will win coveted admittance to the Genius Guild. Great inventors produce gadgets that can be put to good use, so Izzy Gizmo decides to build a recycling machine that mends broken tools. But with fearsome foe Abi von Lavish getting the best of her at every turn, can Izzy Gizmo and Fixer create the winning invention?


Subject: Inventions -- Juvenile fiction.
Inventors -- Juvenile fiction.
Contests -- Juvenile fiction.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I whole-heartedly adore this duo and this book. Just the story I want to have written taking multiple layers of kid-relatable problems and twisting them in with a bit of speculative whimsy to produce a happy ending (oh, and maybe save the planet.) Perfect for Earth Day or any day—for all the tinkerers, dreamers, and weirdos in your life. This is our tribe. Marvelously charming. Enduringly optimistic. Impeccably illustrated. A well-crafted (rhyming) sequel—but you don't need to have read book #1 to enjoy it.

[Bethy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another recently purchased picture book that I do not regret buying!
I can relate so much to the protagonist in this book being a lover of DT myself!
Izzy is a brilliant character - all the airs of being disorganised, but actually is super intelligent and a whizz at engineering!
Wonderful links to DT, engineering, recycling, reusing, promoting custodianship of the environment etc
I can already see a whole term of DT based on this book alone!

[Angele Spieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved the first book in the series and this is a lovely follow up (although I don't think you'd have to have read the first one to enjoy the second, it's a stand alone story with the same characters). My daughter likes how Izzy works through her problems with the help of her bird and Grandpa and after we talked about the importance of recycling and not wasting things. Excellent rhyme and the pictures keep her busy for hours. We have read this again and again, brilliant.

[Letitia Rudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy Gizmo loves to build and create inventions. Izzy is invited to compete in the invention convention at Technoff Isle. With the help of her Grandpa and her bird friend, Fixer, Izzy shows determination and ingenuity to create a winning machine. This is a fun book written in rhyme that touches on environmental themes of recycling and solar power as well as the importance of believing in oneself and overcoming the fear of failure.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy gizmo, inventor extraordinaire, is back with that fun sidekick crow. This time the humor and challenges are enhanced by competition and jealousy, with a side serving of environmental awareness for good measure.
Lots of fun to be had, and as a sequel to the original it allows young readers to follow a new, diverse, non-traditional creator with a big heart.

[Thomas Helean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book were very quirky and funny. I really liked the premise of the invention convention and the lessons that Izzy gained throughout the story. I felt like the book was more focused on being unique and this would be a great book to read aloud due to the illustrations and the rhyming text at points.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a girl who attempts to build a new machine to win a competition. She faces some challenges, but eventually overcomes them and wins first place. I would use this book in my classroom to show kids that even when there are obstacles, it is important to work together and push through until your goal is met.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Izzy Gizmo enters an invention competition. Instead of doing what everyone else is doing, Izzy strikes off on her own and makes an invention that uses solar power and recycles.

Fun illustrations, told with Night-Before-Christmas-ish rhyme.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second installment of the Izzy Gizmo picture books! I liked this book for many reasons -- it could be used to teach the design process, creativity, problem-solving and renewable energy resources. Beautiful pictures and well-plotted out! Two thumbs up for this book!

[Brenda Kahn]

Neat story-in-rhyme about a girl inventor at a competition. Zany, energetic illustrations and an endearing main character. I want to check out the first Izzy Gizmo book!

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the addition of using solar and wind power to make the contraption work!

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Izzy hopes to win a competition and get a admittance to the Genius Guild.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izzy wins the invention convention by being creative and using the resources she has instead of materials that are new.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun STEM read aloud that celebrates ingenuity and spotlights alternative energy sources.