Disclosure: I received an advance e-copy of “The Girl With a Mind for Math” from the publisher through Edelweiss Plus in exchange for a review. This post may contain affiliate links. I get a small commission if you purchase an item from an affiliate.
Picture book biographies are quickly becoming one of my favorite genres of children’s books. I love when powerful stories about inspiring people can be told in a child friendly way to help give them insights into the kind of person they want to be and the realization that their life can be a force for good in the world.
This new series of The Amazing Scientists written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Riley is a great addition to the picture book biographies while also providing an unique approach. They use a rhyming text, which is not overly common in non-fiction, but works very well here. The books provide inspiring information through easily flowing text which makes them great for reading aloud. There is plenty of additional biographical information in the back of the book, plus a note and picture from the featured scientist!
I read “The Girl Who Thought in Pictures” and “The Doctor With an Eye for Eyes” a couple months ago and thoroughly enjoyed them, so I was very excited when I got approved to read an advance e-copy of “The Girl With a Mind for Math” which releases September 2018.
Below are the summaries of the books and my thoughts on each of them:
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
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… 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!
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin is the first book in a brand new educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Temple herself!
Review:
I first learned about this inspiring lady when I saw the movie Temple Grandin. I found her story so fascinating and I was happy to see the awareness and appreciation of her continue to grow. What a great example for children to read of someone who was very different from others and was considered an outcast, but then to see that her unique way of thinking is actually what allowed her to create groundbreaking changes.
The Doctor With an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
If you like to think big, but some say you’re too small, or they say you’re too young or too slow or too tall… Meet Dr. Bath―the scientist who never lost sight of her dreams!
As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor. When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered―brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath is the second book in a brand new educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists! In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Dr. Bath herself!
Review:
I had never heard of Dr. Patricia Bath until I read this book and I found her story inspiring in the way she overcame many obstacles and went on to provide great contributions to the medical community. I love the way her personality encourages curiosity and perseverance in children.
The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague
Coming September 4. 2018
Meet Raye Montague―the hidden mastermind who made waves in the U.S. Navy!
After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted―finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.
The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague is the third book in a riveting educational series about the inspiring lives of amazing scientists. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Montague herself!
Review:
Raye Montague is another woman I had never heard of and I really enjoyed getting to know her inspiring history. Her life is a great example of perseverance and finding new solutions when things don’t go as you want. She faced a lot of discrimination and mistreatment, but she found ways to keep her head up and take whatever opportunities she could. There are a lot of similarities to this story and the one told in Hidden Figures and Raye Montague was even honored as the the US Navy’s first ‘hidden figure.’
