Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan's Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal

by Karyn Parsons, Karyn Parsons

The little known story of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor who created the traffic signal.

Before Garrett Morgan became a successful inventor and saved countless lives with his creations, he was a little boy with a head full of ideas on how to make life better for everyone.

At a tumultuous time filled with racism and discrimination, Garrett became a prominent business man and skilled inventor who produced the traffic signal, a gas mask, and others objects still used today.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, African American, Biography Memoir

48 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2021

Reviews

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Libby app audiobook*

Nice informative book that's easy to understand for kids. I wasn't super fond of the rhyming format here but that's just a personal thing.


I was just thinking the other day who invented the traffic light then this popped up on Libby:) Interesting to learn history about the things we don't really think about or take for granted.

The author did a nice job narrating the audiobook herself. Will be looking up more of Mr. Morgan:)

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY GAS MASK!!! I must delve further into all the wonderful things Mr. Morgan has given us! 💚💚💚

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Ms. Parsons took us through Garrett Morgan's life from childhood to the invention of the traffic light which we still use today.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book biography in rhyme about Garrett Morgan, an inventor who created things like the foundation of the modern traffic light and the zigzag stitch on sewing machines.

An interesting picture book biography of an inventor I hadn't heard much about, but who also invented things like the foundation of the gas masks used in WWI (see the author's note in the back for tidbits like this). A fascinating man with a gifted mind. The art style used is quite unique.

Notes on content: 3 traffic crashes are depicted but no one is seriously injured (the 3rd one hints that someone was knocked out but ok).

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells the story of Garrett Morgan who created the first three-way traffic signal. It's more fictionalized than I like in my narrative non-fiction, but it tells the story of Garrett not finding his "thing" until he was a little older. In comparison, his siblings found what they were good at when they were children. The rhyming makes this more appropriate for kindergarten or 1st grade. I'm interested in Sweet Blackberry's line of stories about "unsung black heroes in history." This book would be good to talk about everyday inventions we take for granted.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cool story about a lesser-known inventor. I find it a little misleading that a 3-light traffic light is shown on the cover of the book when Garrett Morgan didn't invent the three-light signals; he invented a patented 3-way traffic signal that was the precursor to the later-invented stoplight. "The red, yellow, and green would come along later, but it was Garrett's foundation that made us all safer." His invention was important, no doubt, and I think this rhyming story would be well-suited for younger grades.

Story: 3
Illustrations: 3
Read-aloud: 4

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A successful, rhyming account of Black inventor Garrett Morgan's early life and invention of the traffic signal. While not all lines scan perfectly, as happens in any all-rhyming book, I thought this was an engaging and appealing story great for early elementary listeners and would definitely recommend this as a "real-world" readalike to Andrea Beaty's series of STEM-themed picture books.

Themes: Black History, STEM, You Can Do It, Be Yourself
Age range: Kindergarten-Early Elementary

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super interesting. I learned about Garrett Morgan‘s invention of the traffic signal; the book is told in rhyme. And it turns out that traffic signal was just one of his inventions. Mr. Morgan lived during a time filled with racism and discrimination, and yet he became a prominent businessman and skilled inventor. His inventions are still used today. I like this one for Black History Month, the pictures are colorful and the story interesting

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garrett Morgan was an inventor whose creations have saved many lives - the traffic signal, and a gas mask among other things. When he was a boy, though, he was a dreamer and being a dreamer, he didn't necessarily pay attention to the here and now. That got him into some trouble, but he prevails. The book gave me the desire to learn more about how this man overcame racism and discrimination to become a prominent business man and inventor. A most enjoyable read.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book biography has a clunky rhyme scheme, is more fictionalized than I would prefer, and doesn't share any information about Morgan's invention process, just the inspiration and result. I remember being fascinated as a child by a magazine article that I read about this man, but this book doesn't do him or his invention justice.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming biography about Garrett Morgan who invented, among other things, the original traffic signal. Succeeds in making me want to learn more about Garrett Morgan, but fails in other aspects. It spends a lot of time on his childhood and adult every day life instead of on his inventions. And focuses on the modern streetlight instead of his version. The art is hit and miss as well.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of inventor Garrett Morgan and how he came to invent the traffic signal. The story is told in rhyming text, perfect for young children, but I was craving a bit more detail about his life. Part of the Sweet Blackberry film series, which I was not familiar with.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in rhyme, but the rhythm was very uneven, which I think really impacted the strength of the story.

Tried to focus on recurring traffic incidents that Garrett saw that inspired him to create a traffic light. But uses the red/yellow/green, which he didn't create.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fascinating reading about Garrett Morgan and his invention of the traffic signal (although with other things). I just wish that Parsons had not decided to write the book in rhyme. It kind of takes away from the story and accomplishment in my opinion.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/21/2022 ~ Written in rhyme, which limits the scope of the story. The backmatter would have been greatly enhanced with the inclusion of a timeline & more about Morgan's inventions and formative years.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story, we enjoyed learning about the man behind the invention! As he was more inquisitive than most as a child, he went to school away from his family, and was able to come up with the lights after a few close collisions. It intrigued us to read more about him.

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of Garrett Morgan and his inventions (not just the traffic signal), and I think kiddos will like learning about him too. I give this book three stars rather than four because the rhyme is awkward and clunky, making it less than ideal for a read-aloud.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shares the story of Garrett Morgan, the Black inventor of the traffic signal. It’s inspiring and easy to read, showing how creativity and hard work can make a big difference. The pictures are bright and help bring his story to life.

[Mompop · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe 3.5

[Zack Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

good kids book

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not good verse, but a worthwhile story

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rhyming text didn't really work, but still an interesting picture book biography of a Black man who gave us a life saving invention. Inspiring look at an every day item we take for granted.

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a great narrative NF!

[Savanah Kilness]

Such a good book about such an important invention!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fictionalized biography in verse. I did not know about Garrett Morgan previously and enjoyed learning about one of his amazing contributions.

[Bridgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book and it showed the support from both of Garrett's parents which was a heartfelt moment.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the poetic as aspect of this title. Lends well to reading aloud.

[Rebecca Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhyming text was lyrical but felt a little forced at times. Students commented quite a lot on the illustrations particularly the use of foreground and background.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rhyming takes away from the cool story of Garrett Morgan and his invention of the traffic light It’s still good for young kids, but the rhyming scheme makes it seem funny or silly.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIND A BIOGRAPHY OF SOMEONE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE. ASK YOUR LIBRARIAN FOR A BOOK
ABOUT AN INVENTOR, ARTIST, OR LEADER. CHECK THE BOOK OUT AND READ IT. DRAW A PICTURE OR
WRITE A FUN FACT ABOUT THEIR LIFE.