Imaginative Inventions: The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of Roller Skates, Potato Chips, Marbles, and Pie

by Charise Mericle Harper

Written in verse and filled with full-color illustrations drawn by the author, this book invites young readers inside the minds of great inventors, encouraging them to think imaginatively as it offers the origins of items such as roller skates, potato chips, eyeglasses, the vacuum cleaner, and more.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science, History, Stem, Technology

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun picture book, written in verse, that explores some interesting inventions such as the frisbee, marbles, piggy banks, doughnuts, and vacuums. It tells who created it, where, when and why as well as incorporating some fun facts. For example, did you know that more frisbees are sold each year than footballs, basketballs and baseballs combined? Or that high heeled shoes were invented for a short French king? Or that pots used to be made from pygg, an orange colored clay, and people often stored their money in a pygg jar? Eventually, someone started making pig shaped pots with pygg. There are fun borders that match the theme of each page as well as humorous and colorful illustrations.

Fun read!

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in poems with colorful illustrations and a "Facts" sidebar, this book features 15 different inventions ranging from food like animal cookies and pie to accessories like eyeglasses and high-heeled shoes. It could serve as a jumping-off point for further research about inventions.

[Tweller83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

#buzzwordathon: "who, what, where, when, and why"

This is quite an interesting picture book full of inventors and inventions all in rhyming verse. One fact was that shoes were invented in the 16th century but up until 1850 there were no right/left shoes, they were all the same! 😯
While I very much enjoyed this, I'm struggling with the intended audience. Possibly K-1st graders? Those old enough to understand it but still reading picture books? Just guessing, but I liked it anyway.

[Faith Livensparger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade: 3-5
Genre: Informational Nonfiction and Poetry
This book is one of my favorite nonfiction books I have read so far! Not only does it talk about different inventors, but it also includes how things were invented. My favorite part was the ending that discussed no matter your age or ability ANYONE can be an inventor. This book conveys such a great message to kids and I cannot wait to share it with future students.

[Courtney Heard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with a lot of information that tells you the history of many things and how they were invented.

Six +1Traits: word choice
DRA Level: ~44
Lexile: IG800L

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew glasses were invented in the 1200's.

[Emily Farquhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book that tells you all about fun inventions and the history behind them! The word choice in this is fun along with the colorful pictures!

F&P: O
AR: 3.5

Six traits:
Word Choice

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, and it rhymed (which is always a plus).

[Breighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: 1
Genre: informational nonfiction
I liked this book. It was informative and I loved learning random facts.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's bright colorful illustrations will attract children to the subject of inventions. While the inventions addressed do not include any of the notable ones we are familar with, they are items that children are aware of and interested in. The stories are told in a whimiscal way which some may consider not serious enough for the subject, however there is also a very short description of "who, where, and when" for each invention. I think the book will do an excellent job attracting children to this subject, however serious students of this subject will find it lacking.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fact book set to verse about selected everyday inventions of interest to children from 5000 years ago to present. Sidebar facts fill in the details, like which genus representations are used for animal cookies. The flow of the book could have been improved by organizing the inventions chronologically.

[Jordan Jeran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for children. It introduces various inventions that children are sure to be interested in by using colorful illustrations. It is easy to read and follow. There were many inventions that I didn't even know. Definitely a good book to share with children in order to help them read non-fiction tet.

[Murray5thgrade2015 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was amzing! even though I am a little bit old for it, I still loved the rhyming...I definitely recommmend this book for every age! This informational picture book is all about inventions with pretty silly stories behind them! sincerely, lolunicorns

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for work! It teaches who invented silly, yet great things. From Chips to roller skates and gum...some of our favorite inventions. It's just plain fun!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
From useful inventions
To ones made just for fun,
This book shares fun facts
About inventions to teach everyone!

A must book for an invention unit!!!

[Mas5thgrade2012 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tought me alot. roadrunnermemep
this is a good book basketballgirl

[Mas5thgrade2013 · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good book
p3

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done book about inventions. I enjoyed it a bunch! Not much fun for a 5 year old but upper elemenrary would be perfect!

[Perssis Namour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book!
Great illustrations.
Creatively written in rhyme poem style.
Filled with fun and interesting facts about the things we all love, use, and eat on daily basis.

[Portable · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic, funny and thoughtful look about how different objects were invented - lots of text so probably more suitable for K2 and upwards, but a fascinating read.