Making a Production Out of It

THE TEMPLETON TWINS MAKE A SCENE by Ellis Weiner with illustrations by Jeremy Holmes. Chronicle Books, 2013.

Fraternal twins John and Abigail are back along with their absent-minded professor father and a few other characters who will be familiar to those who read the first book in this series. This time, the professor is employed by a performing arts college to design a close-up lens for stage plays. He has, of course, managed to create just that. However, in steps someone to claim partial credit for the invention. Fortunately, John and Abigail, and their overly-excited dog Cassie are up to the challenge of unmasking this villain. Our narrator is back, snarky as ever, ready to comment on the events, the people, AND the reader. Perfect for reading aloud.

inventive

WHAT COLOR IS MY WORLD? THE LOST HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN INVENTORS by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld with illustrations by Ben Boos and A. G. Ford (Candlewick Press 2012) is a large format informational book with a narrative to go along with the informational text. Flaps on many pages fold out to give more biographical information about forgotten inventors such as Dr. Valerie Thomas, George Crum, Daniel Hale Williams, and many others. The informational text is framed in a story about two children who are assisting a handyman in getting their new home in shape for some much needed repairs. As they work, the handyman tells the children stories of inventors who worked to develop all manner of inventions including potato chips, the super soaker, and ice cream scoops (to name a few that will delight young readers) as well as those who worked with Edison and Bell on inventions. <54>