Who Says Women Can't Be Computer Programmers?: The Story of Ada Lovelace

In a vibrant follow-up to Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? (about Elizabeth Blackwell), Stone explores the life of Ada Lovelace, whose imagination rivaled that of her poet father, Lord Byron, to the chagrin of her mother. Lovelace found a kindred spirit in scientist Charles Babbage, and her imagination and mathematical knowledge helped her recognize that his proposed Analytical Engine "not only had the power to process numbers, but it would be able to create things like pictures and music--just as computers do today!" Working in her familiar style of bright, swooping gouache illustrations, Priceman fills the pages with numbers, letters, and mathematical computations--at one point, Lovelace soars above the city, borne on angel wings of numerals and symbols. She emerges as an independent innovator whose enthusiasms are contagious, and an afterword offers additional fascinating details. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Feb.)

Gr 3-5--Joining the growing collection of biographies highlighting women in STEM careers, this charming, informative picture book provides young readers with a brief, lively introduction to Ada Byron Lovelace, whose interests and complex ideas were ahead of her 19th century reality. Lovelace was the child of gifted but scandalous English poet, Lord Byron, and his high society, mathematician wife. When Lord Byron abandoned the family, Lovelace's determined, educated mother made sure the child was well-tutored in science, math and social norms rather than imagination and fancy. But, Lovelace's creativity and passion were irrepressible. She befriended polymath, Charles Babbage, whose inventions intrigued her. Babbage envisioned an Analytical Engine, modeled on the Jacquard Loom for textiles, using punch cards for processing numbers instead of threads. Lovelace devised additional Analytic Engine algorithms that could also create pictures and music, "just as computers do today!" An addendum provides more historical details on Lovelace's marriage, her fragile health, her connection with leading scientists of the time, her long friendship with Babbage, and her name changes. On every page, the gouache and India ink artwork offers a vivid, energetic depiction of people, events, and swirling ideas. The art meshes smoothly with the conversational storytelling, capturing the exuberance, elegance, and giftedness of this exceptional woman. VERDICT This appealing picture book will spark immense pride and prompt readers to do their own investigations into the world of mathematics and computers.--Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC

"Priceman fills the pages with numbers, letters, and mathematical computations—at one point, Lovelace soars above the city, borne on angel wings of numerals and symbols.[Lovelace] emerges as an independent innovator whose enthusiasms are contagious, and an afterword offers additional fascinating details."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The story will sweep [young readers] along, illuminated by Priceman's imaginative gouache-and-ink artwork, full of energy, swirling lines, and whimsy. A colorful picture-book biography of the Englishwoman variously known as Augusta Ada Gordon, Ada Byron, Ada Lovelace, and Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace."—Booklist

"The art meshes smoothly with the conversational storytelling, capturing the exuberance, elegance, and giftedness of this exceptional woman. This appealing picture book will spark immense pride and prompt readers to do their own investigations into the world of mathematics and computers."—School Library Journal

"Priceman's warmly curved gouache and ink illustrations creating colorful flights of fancy as pictures, words, and equations dance across the pages. A worthy companion to the author-illustrator team's earlier Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?"—The Horn Book