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What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's alltime leading scorer, champions a lineup
of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book.
Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone f...more
of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book.
Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone f...more
Hardcover, 44 pages
Published
January 3rd 2012
by Candlewick
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Jun 21, 2012
Melanie Wyatt
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Grades 4-7
Shelves:
reference-shelf
Abdul-Jabbar, K., & Obstfeld, R. (2012). What color is my world?: The lost history of African American inventors. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Reviewed by: Melanie Wyatt
Category: Biography
ISBN: 0763645648
Price: $10.79
Description: The book explores inventions from several lesser-known African-American inventors. Information is provided about the author and illustrators.
Content/scope: The purpose of the book, content and scope are geared towards upper elementary and middle school students...more
Reviewed by: Melanie Wyatt
Category: Biography
ISBN: 0763645648
Price: $10.79
Description: The book explores inventions from several lesser-known African-American inventors. Information is provided about the author and illustrators.
Content/scope: The purpose of the book, content and scope are geared towards upper elementary and middle school students...more
This is a book that I just acquired for my school library and I wasn’t sure how to catalog it. Was it fiction or biography? So I read it and decided that even though it technically is a fictional story, I think it would be best used in the history section.
It is the story of Ella and Herbie, a brother/sister twin set that has just moved to an older house that needs a little work. There they met Mr. Mital who was hired to be the handy man to fix up the house. Mr. Mital shares with Ella and Herbie...more
It is the story of Ella and Herbie, a brother/sister twin set that has just moved to an older house that needs a little work. There they met Mr. Mital who was hired to be the handy man to fix up the house. Mr. Mital shares with Ella and Herbie...more
Excellent, excellent, excellent! I get 99% of my books from the library, but this I went out and bought after reading it. It is an illustrated book and will appeal to both kids and adults - it's not too long so kids will get bored, yet it's still informative.
The story starts out with a family moving to a house which is quite old and in need of repair. A handyman that the parents met at church shows up to help, and the kids have to pitch in too - but they aren't too thrilled with their new house....more
The story starts out with a family moving to a house which is quite old and in need of repair. A handyman that the parents met at church shows up to help, and the kids have to pitch in too - but they aren't too thrilled with their new house....more
What Color Is My World?: The Lost History Of African American Inventors
Ella and Herbie move in to a run down house and aren't happy about it, but when they have to help the handyman, Mr. Mital, he teaches them that many of the items in the house were invented by African-Americans. The story of the home renovation is broken up by short biographies of various inventors, comic panels describing the inventions, and many other sidebars detailing a wide range of little known African-American inventors...more
Ella and Herbie move in to a run down house and aren't happy about it, but when they have to help the handyman, Mr. Mital, he teaches them that many of the items in the house were invented by African-Americans. The story of the home renovation is broken up by short biographies of various inventors, comic panels describing the inventions, and many other sidebars detailing a wide range of little known African-American inventors...more
The reads-like-a-story format is annoying since there are so many overlooked or not well known inventors that will be super useful for reports not to mention personal reading and inspiration. Kudos to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the idea, shame shame on his publishers Candlewick Press for not including a table of contents, alphabetical list (or any order list) of the inventors included, and other pertinent information. Sigh. Librarian heavily sighing. Am on the fence about ordering this since it may...more
I really appreciate this collection of biographies about African American inventors and scientists. The layout of the book differs from the norm in that the clues about the contributions of these scientists are tucked into a fictional story with the actual biographical information available on sidebars that usually fold out. Sources are listed in the back. In an age when athletes seem to be every child's benchmark of success, this book is also notable because it is coauthored by Kareem Abdul-Jab...more
Saw this in a book store one day and bought it on the spot. I love this book! It has a fiction story with nonfiction biographies intertwined. It's engaging because often nonfiction books are dry and children can lose interest in them. The presentation of the black inventors in the nonfiction story helps children see the real life connection of the said invention, like the potato chips from lunch and George Crum or the cell phone and James West's invention of a microphone piece that goes into pho...more
This book is about black inventors who have made significant contributions to our everyday lives. The book is a story told through two young black children who are helping an carpenter fix up their new-to-them, old house. He tells them all about inventors that contributed to things they see as they make their way around the house.
The children are bright, imaginative and fun. The carpenter is slightly mysterious, which makes him very interesting. The ending was surprising. An excellent book to u...more
The children are bright, imaginative and fun. The carpenter is slightly mysterious, which makes him very interesting. The ending was surprising. An excellent book to u...more
Another perpetuation of myths manufactured for an agenda. Kareem should be ashamed for putting his name on this.
I suggest you google "Black Invention Myths - Brinkster"
for a scholarly and detailed look at some of these claims which have been made many times before.
Ignore the somewhat bitter tone of the web page intro-- the facts are solid.
Many claims in this book are not new. They have been published and shown to be wrong a number of times. And the authors of this book seem to me to be capitaliz...more
I suggest you google "Black Invention Myths - Brinkster"
for a scholarly and detailed look at some of these claims which have been made many times before.
Ignore the somewhat bitter tone of the web page intro-- the facts are solid.
Many claims in this book are not new. They have been published and shown to be wrong a number of times. And the authors of this book seem to me to be capitaliz...more
The fictional component is based on a mom and two kids (African Americans) who are preparing to move into a dilapidated home. Handyman Mr. Mital, also African American, works with the kids while telling them the history of many African American inventors. Those "lessons" are woven into the story, but fold out flaps and biographical inserts contain detailed information, illustrations, and elaborations. The extra large format, appealing illustrations, and story format make extensive factual inform...more
Although our library put this in children's fiction for the little bit of story there is, I mostly enjoyed the nonfiction aspect which is packed with the life stories and contributions of African American inventors, some I'm familiar with and others not. It brings out more forcefully than I've seen anywhere else, how our country for centuries has deliberatly pushed down, ignored, and lied about what our African American citizens have brought to the table. Where would we be as a country if we had...more
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Normally I don't like nonfiction books that have a fictional element, but in this case, the story works well in conveying a personal importance to these inventors. A brother and sister learn about various inventions contributed by African-Americans, and how those inventions impact the average household. The color illustrations of the fictional story are pleasing, and the nonfiction material, often set on flaps and gatefold pages, are printed to look like a child's binder paper and writing. Sure...more
A refreshing take on African-American history for kids. I wasn't thrilled about the illustrations, but the text itself was interesting and presented in a creative way to get kids interested in learning history. I learned about African American inventors that I never knew abut and was actually inspired to even look up a few. I would definitely recommend this one to students and would encourage them to read it anytime - not only for Black History Month reports.
Grade Levels: 1-3
This lively, kid-friendly book that gives young readers a look into the history of several “unsung” African-American inventors and innovators, such as James West (invented the microphone in cellular devices) and Fred Jones (invented the refrigerated truck). This book may used for a STEM lesson since it features technology (microphones, cellular devices) and engineering. It also encourages and promotes cultural awareness and diversity in the classroom.
This lively, kid-friendly book that gives young readers a look into the history of several “unsung” African-American inventors and innovators, such as James West (invented the microphone in cellular devices) and Fred Jones (invented the refrigerated truck). This book may used for a STEM lesson since it features technology (microphones, cellular devices) and engineering. It also encourages and promotes cultural awareness and diversity in the classroom.
I loved the inventor scientist information. The fiction element with a brother sister team at times being disrespectful of each other that I find disappointing. It may be "realistic" in some respect, but it was an unnecessary distraction from the wonderful information provided.
Did you know James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? Join twins Ella and Herbie as they help handyman Mr. Mital work on their new home and learn about African-American inventors such as Granville Woods, Garrett Morgan and Dr. Valerie L. Thomas. Reviewer 16
Mr. Abdul-Jabbar tells the history of African-American inventions through the new eyes of children cleaning up an old house. Although the information is great and the stories charming, I found myself getting sidetracked often and unable to stick with the story.
I enjoyed this book and learning about the inventors, but I read it on eBook and after seeing the hard copy I am a little saddened. The hard copy is much more visually appealing. With bold colors, min-graphic novels, and folded out journal entries this book is a which must be read in hard cover.
Dec 03, 2012
Edward Sullivan
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Shelves:
children-s-fiction,
children-s-nonfiction
The biographical profiles are interesting but the fictional framing device and asides are contrived and lame. Includes a bibliography and suggestions for further information. There are better books available on these subjects for young readers.
I liked this book because it was a story and a invention book all in one. It was interesting learning about all the African American inventors I'd never heard of. It was a very good book.
Excellent book for kids highlighting African Americans of achievement, told from the point of view of a couple of grade school kids. Kareem's love of history really comes out in this book. Highly recommended for grade school classroom libraries.
I have mixed feelings on this one. The positive - It provides a ton of great facts and information - which is good. But it almost seems that the publisher/editor/author doesn't know what direction or what audience they are trying to reach. The format is a large-size picture book with flaps (would be younger audience in my opinion). Text for facts about inventors is for older students. The story almost has a voice for younger readers but the reading level and amount of text would not be appropria...more
Excellent, kid-friendly book to introduce young children to African-American inventors. This book may also inspire them to be creative and become inventors.
"In truth, all inventors only improve on what's come before them. They should be called innovators rather than inventors."
Engaging book about unsung African American Inventors whose inventions affect us everyday. Beautiful illustrations.
Half story book and half history of lost inventors. Very interesting.
Great for black history month.
Excellent read
The inventor information is interesting, but the extraneous story & characters I can do without.
A book chockful of information. I now know who invented my favorite treat, potato chips, as well as who invented synthetic cortisone. A black person also invented the stop light, which definitely comes in handy.
It would be a great addition to any library.
It would be a great addition to any library.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on April 16, 1947 in New York City, New York, United States) is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach. Typically referred to as Lew Alcindor in his younger days, he changed his name when he converted to Islam.
More about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar...
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