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  • Hedy and Her Amazing Invention (Amazing Women)

Hedy and Her Amazing Invention
(Amazing Women)

Author
Illustrator
Morgana Wallace
Publication Date
February 20, 2019
Genre / Grade Band
Non-fiction /  2nd − 3rd
Language
English
Format
Picture Book
Hedy and Her Amazing Invention (Amazing Women)
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Description
What else could someone known as the "world's most beautiful woman" offer? How about inventing a technology that allows us to use Wi-Fi? In one of the first books written for children about the amazing life and work of actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, and one of the final books written by Coretta Scott King Honor and Christopher Medal-winner Jan Wahl, readings will be entranced by all that Hedy accomplished on and off the big screen. Hedy and her Amazing Invention teaches kids about the pioneering scientific work and inspiring courage of Hedy Lamarr, the famous Hollywood actress who fought against old-fashioned parents, a domineering husband, prejudice, and stereotypes to become an accomplished inventor whose work helped pave the way for many of the communications technologies we enjoy today, from Wi-Fi to GPS to signal-blocking devices. Through collage-work illustrations and easy-to-comprehend language, Wahl and Wallace provide context to the concept of Lamarr's most famous invention with fun and ease. For young readers and caregivers, alike, this story is for anyone looking for an uplifting biography about a fearless 20th century woman who knew her worth and was determined to utilize all of her talents to make the world a better place. The first book in Penny Candy's Amazing Women series.
Publication date
February 20, 2019
Genre
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780998799995
Lexile Measure
800
Publisher
Penny Candy Books
Series
Amazing Women
BISAC categories
JNF007060 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Performing Arts
JNF007090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Science & Technology
JNF051190 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | History of Science
JNF061010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | Inventions

Kirkus

No one suspected that an actress would create a groundbreaking technology….

From childhood, Hedwig Kiesler had two interests: the way things worked and the way people acted. Straightforward text coupled with engaging full-page and spot illustrations made primarily with paper collage tells the eventful story of the girl who would become Hedy Lamarr. The account moves chronologically from her curiosity as a child living in poverty-stricken Austria through her development as an actress, her fledgling attempts at invention, and her escape from an unhappy marriage to America to her support of Allied troops during World War II and her continued interest in science and new ideas. Hedy’s co-creation of frequency hopping—a technology still used widely in missiles, microwaves, software, and cellphones—is shown to be a major accomplishment even though it was not recognized as such until many years later. Although there is insufficient contextualization of how her opportunities may have been limited by gender roles of the time, this is a clear and interesting portrait, and Hedy is portrayed as a strong, intelligent woman full of talent and innovation and is sure to provide young readers with inspiration and encouragement to investigate new ideas of their own. Divided into chapters, the book has lengthier text than the simultaneously publishing picture-book biography Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life, by Laurie Wallmark and illustrated by Katy Wu.

A solid, factual addition to the STEM and notable-women shelves. (Biography. 7-12)
Jan Wahl

Jan Wahl was the author of over one hundred children's books, including Coretta Scott King Honor-winner Little Eight John and the Christopher Medal-winner Humphrey's Bear. Bowling Green State University awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his work in children's literature and in the history of film. Jan was an active speaker at schools, conferences, and writing workshops across the country. He lived in Toledo, Ohio.

Morgana Wallace was born into an artistic family in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and later moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where she studied at the Victoria College of Art, before becoming a full-time artist. As a child, she was captivated by book illustrations, and still believes they are as important as the narrative. Her medium is mainly paper collage, but she incorporates watercolor, ink, and pen to create her imaginary world of characters. She has had several successful shows at Victoria's Madrona Gallery, as well as completing four commissions for the British children's magazine, Aquila. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.