(2) 4-6 Illustrated by William Goldsmith. This creatively rendered biography-in-comics, with Muir's imagined voice as narrator, is filled with the naturalist's adventures, from his childhood in Scotland to his pioneering conservation work and formation of America's National Parks. Illustrator Goldsmith's Muir is a feisty character, portrayed in loose pencil sketches with one or two accent colors. Vibrant spreads in the chapter transitions and interludes capture the stunning landscapes in which Muir found his purpose. Timeline. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Steven Salerno. Fascinated by the natural world's many colors, Edwin Binney developed eight different colors of nontoxic crayons at his company in June 1903; they were an instant hit and are still made today. Whenever the text mentions a color, the word is set in bold for easy recognition by children. Salerno's dynamic spreads aptly burst with a variety of colors. Occasional helpful sidebars provide further explanations, particularly about the Crayola invention process. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Valpuri Kerttula. Where did your breakfast banana come from? How are your jeans made? How does your house have electricity? Each two-page spread illuminates these and other "journeys" with numbered steps for each process. Technologies such as cellphones, the internet, and--yes--indoor plumbing are covered. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at items and systems readers may take for granted. Back matter would have increased the educational value.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 4-6 In an alternate post–World War I Britain, orphan Christopher works as an engineer's assistant, building (and befriending) robot children called "mechanicals." When an accident reveals that Christopher himself is actually a mechanical, he's kidnapped for experimentation. To save him, his friends enlist the help of a reclusive inventor. Robots, magic, and frights combine in this gripping adventure, propelled by the heroes' devoted friendships.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) YA Ada Byron Lovelace followed nineteenth-century conventions by marrying and bearing children yet still pursued scientific interests. Her friend Charles Babbage produced a mechanical tabulation machine, which Lovelace defined as a computer prototype; her resulting algorithm is often considered the first computer program. McCully clearly and systematically outlines mathematical concepts while painting Lovelace's life as one characterized both by spurts of brilliance and many challenges. Archival illustrations and photographs appear throughout. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan. Lou loves spending time with his two grandfathers, Grandad and Pops, including building elaborate contraptions involving pulleys and ramps. When Pops becomes sad and withdrawn after suffering a fall, Lou is determined to cheer him up. The combination of a new contraption, the playing of Pops's favorite music, and an actual ramp for his wheelchair does the trick. A warm intergenerational story accompanied by expressive illustrations full of engaging detail.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Brett Helquist. This look at young Les Paul, the father of the solid-body electric guitar, capably explains the mechanics behind the boy's inventions--a little too capably, as short shrift is given to interiority, although the retro-flavored oil paintings tease out the human element. This book is best suited for readers (including adults) who are already besotted with the rock guitar sound. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Katy Wu. WWII-era film star Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000) was also an inventor whose "brain overflowed with idea after idea." Though Lamarr's technology is widely used in today's electronics, it took decades for her work to be acknowledged. Well-chosen quotes reveal Lamarr's frustration with people's assumptions about her intelligence based on her "pretty face." Approachable digital illustrations ably portray Lamarr in glitz-and-glam-Hollywood mode and at her inventing table. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer Oxley. Fair-skinned Melia loves inventing; brown-skinned neighbor Jo is always singing, dancing, and making art. However, this unlikely pair (perhaps inspired by Amelia Earhart and Josephine Baker?) learn that they can "create more super-cool stuff together than either could create alone." Bright, cartoony illustrations featuring orange, lime, and purple complement the motivational (if message-y) text. Back matter includes craft instructions and a STEAM-encouraging note.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail. Because of giraffe Noodle's loud snoring, Sophia's new pet (her birthday gift in One Word from Sophia) may be exiled from her quirky family. Approaching the problem scientifically, inquisitive Sophia consults an acoustical engineer, then experiments, fails, and finally builds a wacky "snore transformer" that turns Noodles's snoring into "a sweet giraffian lullaby." Loose, Raschka-esque watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations complement the story's playful language. Glos.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 1-3 Questioneers series. Inspired by Beaty and Roberts's picture-book collaborations (Rosie Revere, Engineer and others), this series-opening chapter book ticks many boxes: STEAM engagement, growth mindset, strong girls, diversity, and intergenerational learning. Zany as ever in the stylized illustrations, Rosie and friends must invent a painting aid for one of elderly Aunt Rose's spitfire friends. Sturdily made and stylishly designed, the book is a solid addition to collections.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 In a future where nations wage war over access to water, eleven-year-old Auden finds a robot named Paragon hidden in a secret underground room in his deceased uncle's backyard. Auden (who suffers from achromatopsia, or color blindness); his new friend, Vivi; and the wise but mysterious robot search for Paragon's true purpose. Detailed descriptions of scorched land and multifaceted characters add to this deeply moving dystopian tale.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Nina Matsumoto. Cats August and Charlie escape from a medical-testing laboratory and together embark on a superhero mission...from inside a robotic dog suit constructed by brains-of-the-operation August and piloted by Charlie. With a cry of "CANINE CONFIGURATION COMMENCE," the cat-heroes take on a despotic baby plotting to conquer Earth. With bright colors, dynamic panels, a wacky sci-fi plot, and lovable animal characters, this graphic novel should engage young readers.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(3) 4-6 Extraordinary Journeys of Clockwork Charlie series. Clockwork boy Charlie and his friends reunite with Charlie's brother to search for three magical objects that can defeat the Iron Cog. Assisted by the spirit of Wilhelm Grimm, they travel the globe to stop the sinister organization from conquering the world. A fascinating Victorian-steampunk setting combines with thrilling action and deepening character relationships for a satisfying conclusion to an engaging trilogy.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) YA Cyrus Field's funding of a transatlantic cable across Newfoundland and the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland was a costly and arduous venture, often delayed by violent storms and human error. Cowan's meticulously detailed biography provides insight into the particular persistence that drove Field's project as well as into nineteenth-century urban life. Archival drawings and photos (inexplicably blue-tinged) enhance the information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Translated by Lisa Rosinsky. Illustrated by Eric Puybaret. Despite Emery's parents' disapproval ("Be practical!"), the boy and his pet swallow commit their summer to building a flying machine, enlisting the help of their new neighbor, an elderly inventor. This surreal and slightly overlong parable (translated from the French) about following one's dreams is paired with majestic full-page acrylics capturing all manner of motion: blowing hair, flying birds, and soaring contraptions.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Colored by Rebecca Nalty. In a standalone companion graphic novel to Cosmic Commandos, black girl Zoe--a young inventor, monster-movie fanatic, and loner--accidentally dons a magic ring and calls forth city-eating monsters. Simultaneously saving the city and her new monster friend, Zoe finds greater social acceptance. Adorable, energetic full-color comics and appealing subject matter (monsters! robots! wish-fulfillment!) help to balance the heavy-handed insistence that Zoe should make friends.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Snared series. Orphan "trapsmith" Wily Snare maintains the underground traps guarding a wizard's treasure until eccentric adventurers spring Wily from his dungeon. The group of marauders wants help plundering other protected riches, but instead Wily convinces his new friends to help defeat the Infernal King and his mechanical soldiers. Despite an abrupt resolution, earnest heroism and some entertainingly sinister booby traps elevate this fantasy series-starter.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) YA Fallon provides thorough discussion of the invention of early automobiles, the development of modern cars, government and industrial efforts to design autonomous vehicles, and the safety and cultural impacts of these new technologies. The engaging main text is supplemented with historical and modern photographs and relevant sidebars. A final chapter references popular fiction and films to imagine our self-driving future. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Eye-catching pages shed light on twenty-two everyday objects (flashlight, whistle, pencil, etc.) by identifying what they're made of, their parts, and how they work. Labeled photographs and diagrams are visually appealing if occasionally misleading (a rubber ball shown dropping straight down should then bounce straight up). Some items' mechanics are complex, but the engaging explanations will hold young scientists' attention. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger