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Children's Nonfiction Historical

Spic-and-Span!

Lillian Gilbreth's Wonder Kitchen

by (author) Monica Kulling

illustrated by David Parkins

Publisher
Tundra
Initial publish date
Aug 2016
Category
Historical, General, Science & Technology
Recommended Age
5 to 8
Recommended Grade
k to 3
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781101918432
    Publish Date
    Aug 2016
    List Price
    $8.99
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781770493803
    Publish Date
    Aug 2014
    List Price
    $19.99

Classroom Resources

Download Teacher’s Guide

Where to buy it

Description

Born into a life of privilege in 1878, Lillian Moller Gilbreth put her pampered life aside for one of adventure and challenge. She and her husband, Frank, became efficiency experts by studying the actions of factory workers. They ran their home efficiently, too. When Frank suddenly died, Lillian was left to her own devices to raise their eleven children. Eventually, she was hired by the Brooklyn Borough Gas Company to improve kitchen design, which was only the beginning.
Lillian Gilbreth was the subject of two movies (Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes), the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and the first female psychologist to have a U.S. postage stamp issued in her honor. A leading efficiency expert, she was also an industrial engineer, a psychologist, an author, a professor and an inventor.

About the authors

Monica Kulling is the author of over forty books for children, including the popular Great Idea series, stories of inventors. The third book in the series, In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up, was nominated for the 2012 Governor General’s Award for illustration and chosen as the 2012 Simon Wiesenthal Honor Book. In addition, Monica’s work has been nominated for numerous Silver Birch Express and Golden Oak awards. Her recent picture books include Lumpito and the Painter from Spain and Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her at www.monicakulling.com.

Monica Kulling's profile page

Phyllis Root is the author of BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD and many other award-winning books for children. She says, " Aunt Nancy is my grandmothers and aunts — women who never let the world get the better of them — all rolled into one." She lives in Minneapolis.
David Parkins has illustrated numerous books for children, including WEBSTER J. DUCK by Martin Waddell and Egyptian Diary by Richard Platt. He lives in Lincoln, England. C

David Parkins' profile page

Editorial Reviews

PRAISE FOR Spic-and-Span:

"This engaging picture-book biography details the many accomplishments of Lillian Gilbreth ... Kulling deftly describes early twentieth-century social, physical, and technical conditions that presented challenges to productivity in both public and private settings, and she explains how Gilbreth's innovations improved conditions, creating context so that young readers can appreciate the extent of her contributions. Parkins' rich, cartoon-like illustrations provide clear period detail, and his characters' faces portray an extensive range of emotions, adding interest and emphasizing Gilbreth's primary commitment to her family." - Booklist

"In Spic-and-Span, Monica Kulling tells Gilbreth's life story with warmth and clarity, and David Parkins' illustrations underscore the wit and humanity of this picture book biograpy." - The Boston Globe

"Perfect for National Women's History Month, this fascinating biography reveals the real woman behind the family hijinks in the movie Cheaper by the Dozen.... We owe to Lillian many of today's kitchen inventions and comforts." - Washington Parent

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