Cool Kid Inventions by Laura Hamilton Waxman
ISBN: 1541576993
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
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As School Library Journal reviewer described: “Light on details and heavy on the superlatives.” The book begins with a very brief introduction and follows with examples of some familiar inventions, such as the toy truck, braille (Louis Braille was 15-years-old), and fidget spinners. Also included are little-know inventions, such as Boo Boo Goo (painted on bandage), Oasis (senses when bay is left alone in a hot car), and Tethys (an app that shows whether water has lead in it.) There is little explanation as to how these work. Visually appealing use of bright colors, bold layouts, large fonts, and photographs featuring a diverse cast of children. The coolest thing is a reproduction of photograph of the toy truck 5-year-old Robert Patch made with shoeboxes, bottle caps, and nails, making him the youngest American to get a U.S. patent.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library