Book In Review

        Many times biographies written for children are boring.  The children struggle to find something to relate to in the book.  This book, Thomas Edison…The Man Who Lit Up The World, is not like that at all.  It is definately filled with information; but, it is information that teaches about the world around us.  The compact size of the book, 5  1/2  x  7  1/2 inches is just right for smaller hands.  It is written for approximately ages 10+.

          The book covers young Thomas’ life as a young business person…selling newspapers, candy and food on the train The Grand Trunk to customers that road the train daily from Port Huron to Detroit.  It details his marriages and his children.  But where it really shines is detailing his never ending quest to invent and improve the things people use everyday.  This go- getter attitude was a very important trait.  He was a doer; someone who was driven to accomplish great things.

          All through his life he looked for ways to improve or invent products that would make things better or easier.  He filed over 1,000 patents as a inventor.

          This book is fun because it has lots of pictures and drawings through out it’s pages.  The reader gets to see Thomas as he lived. 

           Most children know that Thomas Edison was the successful inventor of the lightbulb.  But, they may not know all about his other contributions to our society.  Some of those  inventions set the foundation to today’s electronic gadgets that children enjoy, today, such as; their ipods, movies,  rechargeable batteries and even improving the technology for phones. 

          Thomas Edison’s “can do” and “I never give up” attitude is very inspiring.  In reading, The Man Who Lit Up The World , the underlying theme is that things get accomplished when you stay focused and you are persistent in pursuing your dreams.  I think that children reading this book will find it interesting to see how different their life is because of some of Thomas Edison’s inventions.  His curiosity is contagious.

        The author of this book is Martin Woodside.  The book was published by Sterling Publishing.  Their website is :  www.sterlingpublishing.com.  It was copywrited in 2007.