Young Thomas Edison
Starred Review.Grade 2-5–Dooling has brought Edisons boyhood into focus through careful attention to visual detail and a readable text. What emerges is a story of a determined, focused young man who, despite significant hearing loss and other setbacks, continued to experiment and create inventions that we still benefit from today. His questioning nature and creative genius were recognized and supported early on by his mother, who pulled him out of school to teach him at home when his teacher called him addled and sat him in a corner. The writing style is understated: Eventually…Al set up a laboratory in the baggage car of the train. Soon the young scientist was experimenting with everything: chemicals, gadgets, test tubes, beakers, doohickeys, and thingamajigs. Doolings somber oil-on-canvas illustrations use a dark palette and are extraordinarily beautiful. Each page exhibits an artistic mastery that perfectly draws out the subject and fills the space with objects that reflect the period. This inspiring book honors a brilliant inventor and belongs in every library.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.