George Washington Carver: The Peanut Wizard

by Laura Driscoll, Jill Weber (Illustrator)

Introducing Smart About Scientists! These books feature fascinating biographical information about the world's greatest scientists, ideas on scientific thinking, and real science experiments kids can try at home.

Annie Marcus is just nuts about peanut butter! When Annie finds out that George Washington Carver was responsible for the popularity of peanuts, she picks him for her scientist report. Annie learns all sorts of fascinating info-George Washington Carver was born into slavery, but his dedication and unquenchable thirst for knowledge drove him to become a professor at a time when most institutions of higher learning were closed to blacks. This title explores Carver's brilliant career and discoveries, as well as his triumph over segregation to become one of the world's most renowned plant experts.

Illustrated by Jill Weber.

Genres: Biography, Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2003

About the author

Laura Driscoll is the author of numerous first chapter and beginning reader books, including We Are Twins and The Bravest Cat! She lives in central Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the format of a school report, this book includes drawings and photos about Carver and his agricultural research from the standpoint of an elementary student. Due in part to that, some of the details of his life are glossed over (e.g. the specifics of where George lived and went to school other than his hometown and his work with Tuskegee). For an overview of his life, this book is fine. If you want to know more specifics about him, read George Washington Carver. #bookaday

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book biography told as a school report. Would be good for finding traits of scientists.

[Juanita Molestina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book, to children because Carver was a child when his dream began he was disciplined and dedicated to follow his dreams. Any child can prosper from staying dedicated. He had many difficulties that never stopped him.

[Claire Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the book report format. More fun to read for children. Wish there were a few more facts in the book about Dr. Carver, such as birthday (not only year) and death date. Did he get married? There are some questions left when researching about George Washington Carver, but a fun read.

[Cohne2017gmail.Com · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can learn a lot from this book. The best fact in here is tat George Washington Carver loved plants.

[Michelle Zhao · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9-year-old picked up this book to read for fun during her summer vacation and loved it.

[Joyce]

Although George's family "owned" slaves, his mother was taken by slave robbers when he was a little boy. George's determination to fight through the perils of hardship, landed him the opportunity to attend different schools and college (age 30). Because George had such a love and understanding for the land, he decided to spread his knowledge and help farmers so that their cotton crops and other crops would produce richly. George could have become a wealthy man but chose to teach others instead.

[Readersaurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick and bright biography of George Washington Carver would be a nice addition to any school library. It is highly readable and very clear about Carver's accomplishments and importance. It also introduces concepts of slavery, social injustice, and working for the greater good in ways that elementary students can understand.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for its creative approach to sharing good information. It is supposed to be a report about Carver, answering various questions with both words, graphics and pictures, sometimes photographs. I would call it a “scrapbook” report, and it begins with a letter from a teacher giving the assignment, which is about researching scientists. It includes ideas for experiments too.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for teaching students about George Washington Carver. The illustrations are nice in that they incorporate pictures of him and his life. The book also gives some neat facts about the things you can do with peanuts.

[Lori]

I2B for Rashaard. Like reading someone else's report.

[CFAITC]

This student-friendly book teaches children about George Washington Carver and his impact on agriculture through peanuts.