Title: Ada’s Ideas
Author: Fiona Robinson
Illustrator: Fiona Robinson
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Genre/Format: Picture Book
Age Range: 6-9
Synopsis:
Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) was the daughter of Lord Byron, a poet, and Anna Isabella Milbanke, a mathematician. Her parents separated when she was young, and her mother insisted on a logic-focused education, rejecting Byron’s “mad” love of poetry. But Ada remained fascinated with her father and considered mathematics “poetical science.” Via her friendship with inventor Charles Babbage, she became involved in “programming” his Analytical Engine, a precursor to the computer, thus becoming the world’s first computer programmer. This picture book biography of Ada Lovelace is a portrait of a woman who saw the potential for numbers to make art.
Fiona Robinson is the author/illustrator of While Shines and What Animals Really Like, among other picture books. What Animals Really Like received the 2012 Irma Black Award, and Bank Street named it one of the 2012 Best Children’s Books. Her work has been honored by the Royal Academy of Arts.
My Thoughts:
As a homeschooling family, we love finding biographies done in a picture book format. It’s perfect for the young readers, and Ada’s Idea has been a wonderful addition to our collection. The artwork found throughout this book is nothing short of amazing. It’s very unique and very detailed, which seems to really draw the children in. This will definitely be a book that will be pulled out time and time again.
Ada’s Ideas can be found at your local book retailer or online at stores like Amazon.
