Children's Nonfiction Science & Technology
Lines, Bars and Circles
How William Playfair Invented Graphs
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press
- Initial publish date
- Apr 2017
- Category
- Science & Technology, General
- Recommended Age
- 6 to 9
- Recommended Grade
- 1 to 4
- Recommended Reading age
- 6 to 9
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781771385701
- Publish Date
- Apr 2017
- List Price
- $18.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Born in Scotland more than 250 years ago, William Playfair was a dreamer who “saw the world differently from other people.” Unfortunately, this difference sometimes got in the way of his success. Early on, as he attempted to apply his unique perspective to a series of career opportunities in order to gain “riches! fame! glory!” he instead suffered one failure after another. Then, while writing a book about economics, Will's innovative vision inspired an idea that would set him apart: he created the first modern line graph. Next came a bar graph and later a pie chart. These infographic inventions provided a way for numbers to be seen as pictures, which made them easier to understand and to remember --- and thus changed the way the world would interact with data forever.
With this story of an unconventional man whose creative expressions revolved around math, science, engineering and technology, bestselling author Helaine Becker has created the perfect picture book introduction to STEM education. It would easily find use across curriculums in the classroom. On one level, it is a well-told and engaging biography of an intriguing man, illustrated with humor by Marie-Ève Tremblay. But it also explores math concepts such as measurement and geometry, as well as history, with sidebars on subjects such as the Industrial Revolution and steam engines. In addition, the book teaches the important lesson that everyone should follow their own curiosities to wherever they lead. The end matter includes historical notes, as well as more detailed explanations of the three types of graphs.
About the authors
Helaine Becker
est l'auteure de nombreux livres jeunesse primés. Elle a écrit plus de 80
livres, dont Raconte-moi les graphiques : L'histoire de William Playfair et
l'album illustré à succès Un porc-épic dans un sapin. Helaine
habite à Toronto, en Ontario.
HELAINE BECKER is the author of numerous of books of fiction and non-fiction for children, among them the best-selling A Porcupine in a Pine Tree and its sequel, Dashing Through the Snow: A Canadian Jingle Bells, The Haunted House That Jack Built and Little Jack Horner, Live from the Corner. Her books have won the Silver Birch Award and the CBA Libris Award and have been shortlisted for the Red Cedar, the Hackmatack and the Rocky Mountain awards. Helaine lives in Toronto with her family. Visit her at www.helainebecker.com.
Marie-Ève Tremblay est une illustratrice qui habite à Montréal. Elle a illustré La vengeresse masquée et le loup ainsi que les albums tout carton de la série Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers.
Marie-Ève Tremblay is an illustrator living in Montreal, Quebec. Books she has illustrated include La vengeresse masquée et le Loup, as well as the interactive board books series Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers.
Awards
- Winner, Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College
- Winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre
- Winner, Eureka! Honor Award, California Reading Association
Editorial Reviews
This attractive package about an overlooked subject is a great choice to inspire nascent dreamers and makers.
Booklist
... a welcome option for STEM and biography collections.
School Library Journal
An unusual and useful curricular choice for today's students ...
Kirkus Reviews
... a valuable addition to a school library while being equally useful in a personal collection, succeeding both as a research tool and as a biographical story.
CM Magazine
... a modest and quirky underdog story that underscores the rewards of outside-the-box thinking ...
Publishers Weekly
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