George Eastman and the Kodak Camera (Inventions and Discovery)
This new graphic nonfiction series offers biographical treatments that highlight a technological breakthrough or innovation. Though produced by various illustrators, titles are visually similar: enticing covers, dynamic fonts, bold colors, and vibrant illustrations. Comic book-style word balloons feature fairly sophisticated vocabulary and occasional quotes or other primary source material. Each selection includes titled chapters, a table of contents, summary fact pages, further reading suggestions, and recommended Internet sites. There is close correlation between the dialogue and depicted actions and illustrations, which will provide visual reinforcement for struggling readers. These deceptively slim volumes convey a tremendous amount of information and vocabulary, and should attract attention from reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. Recommended. --Library Media Connection; Vol. 25, No. 7; Pages 83-84, April 2007What child does not like learning from a book that is in graphic style? This particular book is part of the Inventions and Discoveries series. When reading this book, I learned that George Eastman had to quit school at the age of 14 in order to help support his family. His hobby of photography took him on a journey that led to the invention of the Kodak camera for adults and the Brownie for children. Mr. Eastman was an interesting individual, and this book gives the highlights of what it took to make a user-friendly camera. He became a millionaire, but donated much of his money to universities and schools in poor neighborhoods. The graphic format is a favorite of mine as it offers high-interest nonfiction novels. It amazes me how much information is given to the reader in just 32 pages. This book would be perfect in a classroom or school library. It also lends itself to the science and social studies classroom libraries. Graphic format makes it perfect for students who are reluctant readers and never seem to finish a book on their own or for young adults who want to read anything they can get their hands on. The full-color graphics make an enormous impact on the story. The author inserts a box on most pages that includes narration, giving extra facts to the reader to help with comprehension. Vocabulary has been well selected, and this book is an excellent resource that could be used for writing a summary, a book report, or a full research project. At the end of the book, the author includes more facts about George Eastman and the Kodak camera, a glossary, a list of internet sites, additional books for more information, and a bibliography. I highly recommend this book. --Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, January 2007############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################### --Library Media Connection; Vol. 26, No. 2; Page 88, October 2007