The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat

by Anne Renaud, Milan Pavlović (Illustrations)

Frank William Epperson is a curious boy who wants to be an inventor when he grows up. Since inventing begins with experimenting, Frank spends a lot of time in his “laboratory” (i.e. his back porch) trying out his ideas, such as building a double-handled handcar that whizzes past the single-handled cars in his neighborhood. What Frank loves most, though, is experimenting with liquids. When he invents his own yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! And this gets him to “I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?” Though he doesn't yet realize it, his curiosity will lead to his best invention the Popsicle!

In this innovative picture book, Anne Renaud tells a lively story inspired by a real person and true events. Budding scientists will be inspired to emulate the way Frank follows his curiosity, works hard and never gives up --- a growth mindset in action. Interwoven within the story are full-page illustrated instructions for four science experiments that Frank performs, so readers can try them at home or school. Thoroughly researched back matter provides additional historical notes, photos and a bibliography. This readable book covers social studies topics including early twentieth-century history and inventions and inventors, as well as science topics, such as simple chemistry experiments and an overview of the skills and strategies of scientific inquiry.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Science, Stem, Childrens, Food

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2014

About the author

Anne Renaud is a life-long Quebecker. She received her Bachelor of Translation from Concordia University in Montreal. Anne is the author of several picture books, as well as historical non-fiction books for children, including, A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival, Island of Hope and Sorrow: The Story of Grosse Île, Pier 21: Stories from Near and Far, and Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland. Her work has been nominated for several awards, including the Silver Birch Award, the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award, the Red Cedar Book Award, the Red Maple Award and the Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children's & Young Adult Literature. Anne is also a regular contributor to children’s magazines, such as Highlights, Pockets, Cricket, Odyssey, Faces, Clubhouse and Shine. Anne's readers often ask her why she writes books. She tells them it is because she likes to do creative things and she finds writing to be a very creative exercise. It’s also because she can’t dance well and she can’t sing well, so she tries her best at writing well. She hopes her books educate, entertain and inspire children.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that the popsicle will soon be 100 years old? Everybody likes 'the frozen drink on a stick,' right? Frank Epperson stumbled across the concept of a frozen drink when he accidentally left one of his many soda water creations out overnight during an unexpected cold spell. Eureka! That was the beginnings of the 'Epsicle' which Frank would develop later in life and the proceeds helped him support his growing family. Frank's kids loved the new treat so much that they would ask Pop for a 'sicle. Thus the name became Popsicle! So as the weather gets warmer and you are cooling off with a tasty frozen treat, remember Frank Epperson. This book also includes some cool science experiments to illustrate the concepts. Perfect for a classroom unit on matter.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer seems like a perfect time to read a book about the invention of the Popsicle! This lovely picture-book biography reveals the story behind the invention, and a short sketch of the life of its inventor, Frank Epperson.

For me, the strength of this book is the narrative. The weakness, unfortunately, is the layout. The book features four experiments for kids to try, and while I understand why they were placed where they were (inserted at points that corresponded to concepts just discussed in the story), I found that it really broke up the flow. And I wonder if some kids are going to get sidetracked by the first one of these experiments and simply abandon the story while they run off to try it. I think I would've preferred seeing all of these experiments placed at the back of the book for this reason. (The experiments themselves look pretty cool, although I do question the one that has kids making fizzing lemonade with water, lemon juice, and baking soda. The instructions have you tasting the lemonade at this point, and then state that you "can add" sugar, implying that it's just a suggestion. I think budding scientists will learn very quickly that the sugar isn't actually optional!)

The illustrations are okay, but not particularly memorable. I do like the fact that they accurately portray the time period in question, though.

Overall, this is another nice biographical picture book from Anne Renaud. For those looking for a true tale about a historical figure--framed in an easy-to-read picture-book format--this one shouldn't be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing a digital ARC.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lot of fun! Great for a summer's day (or, a cold winter day when you wish it was summer!) It's always great to show kid inventors who go on to be successful. And I loved learning why it became known as the "POP-sicle!" :-) Frank Epperson didn't market his invention (originally called the Ep-sicle) until he was a father, and his kids loved his creation so much they kept asking, "Pop, can we have a 'sicle!" LOL) Good back matter, including photographs and other interesting biographical tidbits, and bibliography. Also includes four science experiments so kids can put the principles into play. My 6- and 8-year-olds enjoyed this. Recommended!

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story/biography about the invention of the Popsicle. Entertaining and educative, it also contains small scientific experiment to do at home. Very good concept and perfectly executed!!

[Mid-Continent Public Library]

Did you know that the popsicle will soon be 100 years old? Everybody likes 'the frozen drink on a stick,' right? Frank Epperson stumbled across the concept of a frozen drink when he accidentally left one of his many soda water creations out overnight during an unexpected cold spell. Eureka! That was the beginnings of the 'Epsicle' which Frank would develop later in life and the proceeds helped him support his growing family. Frank's kids loved the new treat so much that they would ask Pop for a 'sicle. Thus the name became Popsicle! So as the weather gets warmer and you are cooling off with a tasty frozen treat, remember Frank Epperson. This book also includes some cool science experiments to illustrate the concepts. Perfect for a classroom unit on matter. *Review by Darla from Red Bridge*

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this yummy story to your inventors/inventions collection!

It was an accident when eleven-year-old Frank Epperson left his concoction/drink out over night in California. It was cold enough that it froze. When he grew older, he remembered this and decided to manufacture them to sell. It was a hit!

Renaud's narrative nonfiction is entertaining and enlightening. She also cleverly inserts four relevant science experiments within the story that kids can try. Milan Pavlović's mixed media artwork is light and breezy, just right for this hot weather treat. Backmatter includes an Author's Note, some primary source captioned photos of Epperson and his invention, and a bibliography of for more information about Popsicles.

What a fun book to do an oral report on - and treat your classmates at the same time!

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 4.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where did the Popsicle come from?
Did you know that the popsicle as we know it today was only just introduced in 1923?
Would you believe that it was conceived by a child enterprising inventor named Frank Epperson?

Frank loved science, chemistry and even created a two-handled handcar (which moved faster than the time's one-handled handcar).
Frank loved his fizzy soda drinks and was bent on making the best one.
Like all happy (not quite what they were going for circumstances), Frank created a frozen treat he called the Ep-sicle. He found a way to make them in bulk and freeze them quickly through temperature chemistry (ice and salt), and thanks to his kids, the POP-sicle became a thing.

A fun illustrated read, that also includes multiple science experiments that align perfectly with Frank's discovery.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, technically, the boy did invent the popsicle, but it wasn't until he grew up that he perfected it.

This book is actually pretty cool, how it explains the science behind making a popsicle works. The only problem is that the science tends to interrupt the flow of the story.





This is a good book to help kids get interested in inventing and in science, and if they want to learn how to make their own popsicle.



Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew??? This one is perfect for my sister and her four kids who all love popsicles.

[Kristin Cleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book has my K-2 riveted this week! So we’ll done. The experiments sprinkled throughout were also well received and I’ve already had two 1st graders send me pictures of their homemade popsicles. Add this to your collection!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Milan Pavlovic. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2019. $17. 9781525300288

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A young boy, Frank, always knew he wanted to be an inventor. He wanted to invent the best pop of all time. He experimented and experimented. Sometimes his experiments were a success, but not always. Once he wondered how his soda pop would taste if it was frozen. He left a glass filled with soda out on the porch overnight. It was awesome! He even figured out how to make lots of frozen treats at the same time.

I loved how Frank never gave up, had a great attitude and just kept trying more and different things. I loved Frank's stick-to-it-tiveness and how successful his experiments ended up being. This would be great to read out loud, introduce science projects, or just read on the back porch with your children or grandchildren, enjoying a fruity popsicle while reading. The illustrations are delightful and full of feeling. You can really see, and feel how Frank feels as he experiments throughout the book. It is awesome!

Ellen-Anita, Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I have a couple of nit-picks about the formatting, I loved every minute of this biography of Frank Epperson, the inventor of the Popsicle. The text was well thought out with a strong narrative and an emphasis on boyhood dreams of this adult inventor. The book includes age appropriate science experiments (hence the nit-pick: they break up the narrative flow) and interesting if brief backmatter. Excellent endpapers, a whimsical tone, empowering layering, and a genuine Popsicle-colored palette make this one cool picture book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My popsicle loving 4 year old asked how popsicles came to be. I had no idea, but shortly after his question, I randomly found this on the library shelf. On the longer side for a picture book, but it was great! It's really interesting with more involved pages for my older child who loves inventing. Bigger words to stretch vocabulary as well.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat, written by Anne Renaud and illustrated by Milan Pavlovic, is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. Frank William Epperson is a curious boy who wants to be an inventor when he grows up. Since inventing begins with experimenting, Frank spends a lot of time in his “laboratory” (better known as his back porch) trying out his ideas, such as building a double-handled handcar that whizzes past the single-handled cars in his neighborhood. What Frank loves most, though, is experimenting with liquids. When he invents his own yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! And this gets him to thinking: “I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?” Though he doesn't yet realize it, his curiosity will lead to his best invention ever: the Popsicle!

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is a biographical picture book that shows young inventors and dreams that yes they can start experimenting early, but that it does not have to be all they do. I like that the book shows young Frank experimenting and questioning things- but it also shows him playing and doing other things.Too often I see books about great inventors or scientist only showing the person doing things involved in their subject matter- which can be daunting to young people that might want to follow a similar path. I also like that it shows Frank finding success, and having things go wrong. I love that there are experiments, with instructions, woven through the story that will allow readers to try some of Frank's experiments. The illustrations did a good job of capturing the mood and time of the story. I thought that the book was very well researched and love that the back matter includes a bibliography, historical notes, and photographs.

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is a good read for young readers that have inquisitive minds and might want to experiment a bit on their own. This might just inspire some future inventors to keep trying new things.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat is a children's picture book written by Anne Renaud and illustrated by Milan Pavlović. It explores the chillingly sweet story about the inventor of the Popsicle – Frank Epperson.

Francis William "Frank" Epperson popularized ice pops after patenting the concept of "frozen ice on a stick" in 1923. Epperson claimed to have first created an ice pop in 1905, at the age of 11, when he accidentally left a glass of powdered lemonade soda and water with a mixing stick in it on his porch during a cold night, a story still printed on the back of Popsicle treat boxes.

Renaud's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Renaud traces Epperson's life from inquisitive child to the man who would one day invent the Popsicle. Backmatter includes an author's note, extra biographical information, photographs, and a vintage advert for the Popsicle. Pavlović’s exuberant mixed-media illustrations are the perfect complement to Renaud's lively text.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Born in 1894, Frank William Epperson always seemed to know he wanted to be a great inventor when he grew up. He was an inquisitive young boy, always pondering big questions. Frank's back porch was his laboratory, where he tinkered, tested, analyzed, and scrutinized. One unusually cold San Francisco night in 1905, he left one of his drinks outside, and by morning it had frozen – he had invented a frozen drink on a stick, but it wasn't until years later that the adult Epperson acted on the memory.

All in all, The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat is an engaging and wonderful biography of a young child who loves experimentation, who invented the Popsicle.

[Maria McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventing is a process of trial and error, often with many failed attempts preceding that Eureka moment, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. That’s the message behind this surprising biography of the father of the Popsicle. With engaging art and clear narration, this book has a fascinating story to tell, but the icing on the cake is the four science experiments included at relevant moments in the book that encourage kids to experiment and observe for themselves.
Frank Epperson was a determined inventor from an early age, and this book chronicles his efforts, from his two-handled handcar to his crowning creation—the Ep-sicle. Although a freak weather event (overnight freeze in San Francisco) first led to Epperson’s childhood discovery, he filed it away until, as an adult, he realized the world was ready for a frozen treat other than ice cream sandwiches. Pop Epperson’s ploys to market his confection are as entertaining and enlightening as his earlier experiments, and the illustrator does a beautiful job of depicting the time period of the early 1900s, as well as in the joyous final page, which shows a park full of modern and diverse Popsicle consumers.
Rather than a timeline, this book ends with a two page spread that contains the author’s summary of Epperson’s life and several captioned photos. Because two of the four experiments result in a sweet treat, you’ll find this biography in the 640s with the dessert cookbooks, but, to me, it’s more about encouraging kids to ask questions, think scientifically, and know that if an imaginative 11-year-old can invent a distinctive dessert that has lasted over a century, they, too, can come up with something innovative.

[Shayle Duff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is by Anne Renaud is about a boy named Frank Epperson. Ever since Frank was a little boy, he always knew that he wanted to be an inventor. His first experiment was a handcar with two handles. Soon after he created the two handled handcar, Frank became fascinated with different flavored soda water and the way each one would sizzle. One day, he was selling his soda water at the local fair, when he wondered what his soda water would taste like if it were frozen. The next morning, he had himself a frozen drink on a stick. For years he kept this invention in the back of his mind. Until one day, he wondered if he could make the drinks on a stick with juice as well, so he decided to give it a try. He took out some test tubes and put a stick into each one and a few hours later he had frozen juice on a stick. Frank started selling these creations in the nearby park and named them the Ep-sicle. They were a big hit and were highly requested. One night, Frank's son asked his Pop if he could have a 'sicle and that's how the popular treat got the name popsicle.

Analysis: I liked this story because it demonstrates that wonderful things can happen when you least expect them too. Frank only wanted to sell soda water, never did he think that freezing it would actually turn into something.

For psychotherapy, I would this story to help my clients realize that they may be going through a hard time right now but someone or something will get them through it. Whether its in the form of a job opportunity, new housing, reconnecting with family, etc.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a young age, Frank William Epperson had a knack for inventions, his curious nature helped him improve ordinary things like handcars and soda water. Yet it was an accident that led Frank to a tasty discovery, and is the reason why his legacy lives on today, the popsicle. Family was at the forefront of Frank’s life and were his biggest supporters, together helping make the popsicle a business success. Lines play a big role amongst the mixed media illustration, giving pages an energetic sense of movement and emotion. Swooshing streaks surround characters that are jumping and running, jagged edges express excitement during eureka moments, and smooth strokes used in eyes show happiness over eating a fruity popsicle. Translucent browns, greens, and blues dominate pages, but the contrast of white space make these colors pop with vibrancy. The narrative parallels the scientific method and explanations behind Epperson’s inventions are brief, further clarification greatly relies on four science experiments interwoven between key points of the storyline. Each recipe allows for quick and easy tinkering at home, explaining the ‘’what happened” behind chemical reactions, density, freezing point, and sodium chloride. Adults looking to entertain a younger audience will appreciate relating science to a fun frozen treat. A bibliography, and an author’s note that give more information on Frank, are included at the end of the book.

[BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Loved: A non-fiction story that read like a fiction book. My daughter was so interested in the story. She kept asking, so this is a true story mom, a "NON-FICTION". It was so fun for her to imagine how this favorite treat of hers came to be.

How I Felt: The book paused with each piece of science that led to the final creation of the Popsicle and would have a Do-It-Yourself page on how to try this science experiment. It made me so happy to see this as I have children that adore a good science experiment day! This book would be great in schools and classrooms. Children become connected to the story and then see how the science behind it worked.

To Read or Not To Read: Everyone can read this book. It's an easy story for a young child to enjoy, but it would hold the attention of up to a 4th grader because the content is very intriguing.

What's This Book About Anyway?
Frank Epperson invented the Popsicle as a man, but as a boy, he was already in love with science and inventions. He had the spark of genius as a young child, that he held on to until his adulthood when we pushed himself to create it and sell it.

Thank you to NetGalley and KidsCanPress for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/

[Vonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will love reading about the invention of the popsicle! Frank Epperson was a curious child who love experimenting and inventing. He especially loved to try different experiments with flavored soda water. Though he lived in California, there was one day it got below freezing and the soda water froze. At age 11, Frank discovered a yummy treat! And the rest, as they say, is history!

This is a wonderful story of curiosity, experimenting and invention. This is the type of story kids need to be reading to stir their imaginations to discovery. Included are several experiments and even a recipe. These are the perfect inclusion in a book that encourages curiosity and creativity. Kids will be inspired that Frank was around their age when he was making all these discoveries. Teachers would be remiss if they did not include this in their STEM curricula.

If you are a word nerd like me, you will enjoy the author’s word selections like clamoring, gaggle, confections and concoctions, and phrases like “tinkered and tested” and “analyzed and scrutinized”.

I highly recommend this book!

I received a digital copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Christine Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect blend of facts and fantasy, my children (ages 5 and 2) instantly connected with this book purely because of their affinity for the popsicle. Originally dubbed the “ep-sicle”, readers discover how a young boy, destined to become a great inventor, accidentally creates this tasty, timeless treat. Frank William Epperson tucks the files of his frozen fancy away for a later time and withdraws the secret recipe at the perfect time, when he notices people going bananas for a frozen ice cream sandwich. Besides giving kids and adults alike the history behind the popsicle, lessons about perseverance, family devotion and business savvy are also taught. I especially liked the four experiments peppered in as teachable moments to the hows and whys of the Science behind Epperson’s journey. Yes, they can be considered oddly placed within the book, but you can easily read beyond them and go back once finished to conduct them if you choose. I read each experiment to my eldest with the promise of performing each the following day, which gave her something to look forward to.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book biography of Frank Epperson, an inventor who as a child discovered how to make a frozen flavored treat and later, as an adult, marketed it as the Popsicle®.

This is not only a great look at a kid who never stopped inventing, but there are easy experiments relevant to the science of Epperson's inventions that kids can do along the way. The science is solid, but broken down in a way that lower grade kids can easily grasp. The art style is fun. And it was fascinating to learn how Frank Epperson developed the popsicle (and how it got its name). It sounds like he and his little brother (aka his guinea pig) had an interesting relationship with lots of adventures. This is a great read for any aspiring inventors, an encouragement to kids that science isn't boring, and a nice activity-idea-filled read for bored kids. Highly recommended. (Science teachers, this is also a great read for when you're talking about how salt and other solutes can lower the freezing point of water.)

[Sharla Desy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another one of those books that looks like a picture book, but is probably going to get shelved in the non-fiction section and languish there.
I am not a fan of the illustrations - I found the most attractive pages of the book to be the end papers.
The narrative was interrupted by mini science lessons, which made the book choppy for me, and I think it would be distracting if trying to use this book as a read-aloud.
The "invention" of the popsicle is really just leaving a glass of soda water outside overnight where it froze, and the straw served as a handle for the new treat. We surmise from the illustrations that Frank was actually an adult when he refined the freezing and production process, so the title of the book feels a little disingenuous.
Not a bad book, but I am sad to say that I don't think it will have wide appeal among the elementary school students I work with.

[Emily Sammartino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Epperson was an avid inventor starting at a very young age. He was a curious child who wasn’t afraid to ask questions and think outside of the box. He went on to become the inventor of a sweet treat that we all love, popsicles! The illustrations in the book are very appealing and are what drew me to pick this book to begin with. There are experiments/activities that can be done with elementary students in a classroom or with kids at home spread throughout the book. I do think that this book was lacking in some ways. While there were some interesting parts to the story, I found that it didn’t really grab my attention. I found the writing to be a little dull and found my mind wandering while reading. I would not read this book again, unless I wanted to incorporate some of the activities in a science lesson

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A commendable book for young readers, only giving us one example of resilience, invention and success, but doing it well. Our hero invents things regularly, it seems, but when he comes up with a frozen ice-lolly in various fruit drink flavours, it leads to a fortune being made. Oh, and you could say he came up with it when he was still of school age. The story is done well for this audience, and we get a bit more information with the teachers' notes to close. We also have four perfectly home-friendly science experiments to try out, which might have been at the end and not interrupting the narrative flow, but are a welcome addition all the same. Definitely worth a look, and a cool four stars, if not frozen ones.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Epperson's story about his invention of the popsicle comes alive in Anne Renaud's biographical picture book. Readers will love discovering how one of the best treats came to be. Additionally, they will love trying the experiments included in the book and be inspired to become an inventor themselves. The backmatter adds value to the books as well.

Pavlovic renders his illustrations in mixed media, combining pencil, color inks, and digital methods fun, original art that readers will enjoy. The illustrations feel full and detailed without feeling too busy and overwhelming.

This is a fun biography to add to any children's collection.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This appealing picture book biography offers a lot in a small package. The story of Frank Epperson who invented the popsicle at age 10 and went on to sell it and the patent as an adult is sweet and inspiring for budding inventors and history buffs alike. Renaud includes easy experiments related to the story that are real bonus.

Milan Pavlovic's charming illustrations add to the fun. An Author's Note provides additional historical information about Epperson and his family and includes some black and white photographs.

This book is really a treat and ideal for using as a read aloud, at summer STEM session or at home.

[Leah Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical about this story. I wondered how interesting the inventor of the popsicle and the story behind it could actually be. I will say I was pleasantly surprised. This story was well written, and very Interesting. I loved the messy style illustrations, with the vibrant colors. I also thought it was great to have the science experiments in there to let kids see how the process actually works.

Overall this was a great story and it goes to show you actually can’t judge a book by its cover or even its title. .

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Renaud picked a winner to write about and she did it well. Frank Epperson liked to experiment as a child and when he grew up he took one of his childhood experiments and made and sold the product successfully. The author put experiments throughout the book. They are really great experiments and recipes. I even took pictures so I could try some later. I know my children would have loved doing these when they were young. There is an author's note with more facts at the end and a bibliography for more research. A truly enjoyable bio.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Epperson was an inventor from a young age. As a boy he would experiment with soda water mixes which he would sell to the neighborhood kids. One day he left a cup out overnight in the winter to see what it would be like frozen. He liked the result.

As an adult, Frank returned to his frozen soda water on a stick idea. He refined it in test tubes (hence the shape) and began selling them at local fairs and stores.

The narrative of the story is interrupted by multiple pages of experiments kids can try on their own.