The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle (Anne Renaud)

Title:  The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson’s Famous Frozen Treat 

Author:  Anne Renaud 

Illustrator:  Milan Pavlovic 

Target Ages:  5 and up 

Genre:  Picture Book STEM Biography 

Publisher Summary: 

Young Frank William Epperson always knew he wanted to be an inventor.  He loved to experiment—especially with flavored soda water.  

Frank was determined to create the yummiest, most thirst-quenching soda drink ever.  Not all of his attempts were successful…you could even say some were disastrous.  But Frank never stopped trying, even as he grew up. 

First Lines:
Frank William Epperson knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.

And everyone in Frank’s family knew, too.  Because in case they forgot, he reminded them—often.  

Memorable Moment:  Frank has a creative and effective way to market his new product. 

Evaluation:

Frank’s idyllic childhood illustrates the importance of being creative, imaginative, and inquisitive.  His first laboratory was his back porch where he tinkered, tested, analyzed, and scrutinized.   

When he was 10 years old, he completed his first successful invention.  Frank’s example will inspire young readers as they realize they don’t have to wait to grow up to become an inventor.  They can begin doing it right now!

Another essential life and STEM lesson is show in Frank’s experience both succeeding and failing during experimentation.  Without the failures, Frank never would have found the right combination for success.   

Milan Pavlovic’s energetic and entertaining illustrations compliment this engaging text.  

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is an ideal family or school text to encourage scientific thinking and doing.  I recommend it for teachers and parents looking to add STEM biographies and models for their children. 

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans: 

• Comparison:  Compare and contrast Frank Epperson with another kid inventor. Try Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E.Knight Became An Inventor by Emily Arnold McCully. 
• Characterization:  Discuss the types of activities Frank did in his daily life that lead to his success. 
• Creativity:  Create a new Popsicle flavor.  Draw a picture of it and write a pitch or advertisement to encourage others to try it. 
• Nonfiction:  Discuss the difference between fiction and non-fiction.  Compare this non-fiction story about a child inventor with a fiction counterpart like Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts.  
• Science:  Integrated in the story are 4 related science experiments that children can complete at school or home. 

Additional background information and photographs on the life of Frank Epperson are provided at the end of the story. 

For other books on inventors, click HERE. 

Perfect Picture Book Friday. 

 

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures (Julia Finley Mosca)

Title:  The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:  The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Author:  Julia Finley Mosca

Illustrator:   Daniel Rieley

Target Ages:  5 and up

Genre:  Picture Book Biography

Publisher Summary: 

Meet Dr. Temple Grandin—one of the world’s quirkiest science heroes! 

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science.  Yet the determined visual thinker did just that.  Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe!

First Lines:

If you’ve ever felt different,

if you’ve ever been low,

if you don’t quite fit in,

there’s a name you should know. 

TEMPLE GRANDIN’S that name.

In her tale, you’ll find glory.

So, get ready, get set,

for this cowgirl’s TRUE story.

Memorable Moment:

So, here is the lesson:

Feeling odd or offbeat?

Being DIFFERENT might just

be what makes you so NEAT!

Don’t let doubt hold you back,

Not for one minute more.

STAND TALL, and like Temple,

MARCH RIGHT THROUGH THAT DOOR!

Evaluation:

Julia Finley Mosca's uplifting text perfectly brings Temple Grandin’s moving story to life for young readers.   

Temple was a leader in a STEM field in a time when few women were included.  Many ignored her ideas, but she was persistent.  As a result, she slowly changed minds.  Her influence is vital not just for science, but for the humane treatment of animals.

Parents, teachers, and students—especially those who do not act and think like mainstream kids do—will be inspired by Temple’s early years. Because she was autistic, she had extra challenges.  She dealt with sensory issues and delayed speech.  Interpersonal interactions were a difficult. Her mind processed information in a unique way.  Fortunately, her parents and teachers concluded she was “different, not less.” Her story encourages children to internalize that “different” is positive, not negative.

After repeated bullying, she moves to live on her aunt’s farm. Not only did Temple feel solace and acceptance there, her unique way of thinking allowed her to understand and to connect with the animals.  This experience and realization led her toward her professional path, illustrating that good outcomes can come from bad occurances.

The teachers in her life are often the source of inspiration. For instance, one of them told her,  “You’ll never fall short when you find what you’re good at, like science—you’ll soar!”  Her teachers’ encouragement and faith in her helped her to begin imagining solutions to problems on farms. 

Today, Temple teaches and speaks all over the world, illustrating that setbacks and, even, disabilities do not prevent people from doing great things.  Instead, it is her differences that make her uniquely created to help solve problems and to make the world a more humane place.

One of the personalized touches is a letter from Temple.  In it, she encourages children to find something they are good at it and to develop it.  In addition, she tells them to “keep learning, especially from your mistakes.”   

Fun factions and tidbits, a time line, additional background information, and bibliography are resources included for educators and parents.

Add The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:  The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin to your women in STEM biography library.  The text and illustrations are engaging.  The warm colors, animated expressions, and creative action are perfect for young readers.  

Also check out The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes by this author-illustrator duo. 

For other Amazing Scientists books, visit Innovation Press.

Activities and Extension Ideas from around the Internet for Lesson Plans:

Multiple Printing Resources from Innovation Press

Amazing Women in STEM Printable

Visualizing FREEBIE

Reading Skills and Strategies Activities (Multiple)

Meta Cognition Printable Freebie

Profile Portrait Craft Idea

Book Study Printables ($1.95)

Check out other excellent recommendations at Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics (Margarita Engle)

Title:  Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics

Author:  Margarita Engle

Illustrator:  Rafael Lopez

Target Ages:  8 and up

Genre:  Poetry Collection

Publisher Summary:

Musicians, botanists, baseball player, pilot—the Hispanics featured in this collection come from many different backgrounds and from many different countries.  Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and community that continues to evolve and [to] thrive today!

Sample Poem:

“The Magic of Words”

about Jose Marti, Cuba

As a child on the island, I see injustice,

so I write about freedom, but at sixteen,

I’m arrested, and after months of hard labor

in prison, I am forced to flee my homeland.

In New York, I stroll through Central Park

with the children of other exiles, telling stories

of gentle elephants and enchanted shrimp…

I say that each day is a poem.

Some hours are green and peaceful.

Others are red, like festivals or storms.

I love teaching children how to tell t

heir own stories.

Evaluation: 

Engle’s first-person biographical poems give an authentic voice to figures, long since past.  Their passions and spirit pour off the pages.  Readers get only a snapshot of these people, but it is enough to tantalize readers to find out more. 

The collection spans events and people from 1713 to 2011.  Many of the figures are artists and traditionally accomplished. However, Engle features ordinary people as well.  For instance, Juana Briones was a healer, farmer, and rancher.  She also spoke against unfair treatment of Native Americans as well as fought to keep her land when the state tried to unjustly take it.   Another is Arnold Rojas, a noted vaquero (cowboy). He not only learned to train horses and tell engaging stories, but he advocated for preserving Latino culture. 

Each person made a mark in some small way, but few were widely famous in their time (or even now).  Through highlighting people in all walks of life, Engle illustrates the immense diversity within the culture as well as the importance of making a difference no matter who you are. 

The vibrant artwork is stunning.  The portraits capture the historical figures so brilliantly, often with symbolic images like a dove, a basket of herbs, or a book. 

Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics is a memorable and beautiful walk through history.  It is perfect for your diverse classroom and/or family library. 

Ideas for Extension Activities at Home or Lesson Plans for Teachers:

• History:  While the figures may not be in the curriculum, the poems offer a quick and easy way to bring in diverse voices.
• Writing:  Using Engle’s models, students can write their own first person biographical poems.
• Literature:  Discuss the images used in the illustrations and poems.  Explore the connotations and denotations of each.  Then, evaluate how those images bring out a more multifaceted view of the people.
• Science:  Connect relevant figures to the study of science.  In a study of plants, pull in Ynes Mexia or in a study of conservation, connect George Melendez Wright.

Historical Connections and People:

Juan de Miralles (American Revolution)

Feliz Varela (Colonial Era)

Juana Briones (California Statehood)

Paulina Pedroso (Cuban Independence)

Jose Marti  (Cuban Independence)

Ynes Mexia (STEM)

Louis Agassiz Fuertes

Aida de Acosta (Early Air Flights/Planes)

Fabiola Cabez de Baca

Arnold Rojas (Old West Vaquero)

Pura Belpre

George Melendez Wright (STEM)

Julia de Burgos (Puerto Rican Independence)

Baruj Benacerraf (STEM)

Tito Puente (Latin Jazz)

Cesar Chavez

Roberto Clemente

Tomas Rivera

Head over to Poetry for Children for more Poetry Friday poems.