Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors

by Dana Marie Miroballi, Sawyer Cloud (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Patricia Q · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book was about inventors, not counting to ten. I get the pun in the title, but if I had bought this I would feel ripped off.

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating highlight of 10 Black inventors and the everyday items they invented that improve our lives and make us safer. Written in accessible rhyme with robust backmatter, this book will be the gem of a school library or home library collection.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a mix of layers, rhyme, and facts, this is an ingenious way to bring across a little historical knowledge and counting, too.

This book highlights Black inventors and their inventions, and celebrates their accomplishments while raising awareness, too. But it doesn't stop there. It's also a counting book to help young listeners practice their numbers along the way. While this might sound like a lot, especially for the intended age group, it flows smoothly and stays very age appropriate.

From heaters to ice cream scoops and much more, these pages take a look at a wide variety of inventors and their inventions. Each inventor gains a two-page spread with their name along one side. The invention is introduced visually and clearly, while the text sticks to a slightly more poetic direction as it introduces not only the invention but what it accomplishes. This keeps the material simple and understandable for the younger age group, and breezes across the history without feeling heavy.

It's a clever way to wrap in knowledge goodness in several directions and stay entertaining at the same time.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dana Marie Miroballi’s INVENTIONS TO COUNT ON: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK INVENTORS uses a classic counting book format with simple rhymes set against the backdrop of a family preparing for a special celebration to introduce readers to ten amazing Black inventors. From the home heating furnace to automatic elevator doors, the modern-day version of the invention highlighted in each rhyme is integrated into Sawyer Cloud’s warm and cheerful artwork. Backmatter provides additional information about each inventor and their invention. So much for readers both young and older to learn and enjoy in this picture book!

[Kerry Aradhya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the word play in the title of this book, since it is in essence a counting book! Short, rhyming couplets (one for each number 1 through 10) introduce 10 inventions, and the art shows a family interacting with those inventions through a simple storyline. For example, one spread shows the family driving toward "three lights," highlighting the three-way traffic signal invented by Garrett Morgan. The back matter explains inventions and patents, gives bios of the inventors, and invites kids to think about what they might invent to improve the world. What's really neat is that the book also provides actual U.S. patent numbers for the inventions, opening the door for further exploration!

[Lindsay Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love about this layered picture book focused on the inventions of 10 clever and determined Black inventors? Dana Marie Miroballi engages the reader with this rhyming counting book that also tells the story of preparations for Granny's 100th birthday. Illustrations by Sawyer Cloud offer eye-catching details to pour over while learning about inventors who have impacted our daily lives. The back matter offers a deeper dive, as well as suggestions of other books highlighting Black inventors.

[Stephanie Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This counting book is an engaging celebration of Black inventors and their contributions to society. Each page introduces young readers to innovative figures like Alice H. Parker and Garrett Morgan, whose inventions have shaped the world we live in. The rhythmic text makes it accessible and enjoyable for children, while the rich historical context provides valuable lessons about perseverance and creativity. This book not only educates but also inspires the next generation of inventors, encouraging them to dream big. A must-read for families and educators alike!

[Meneka Repka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so enthralled reading through this book- we don’t often realize and recognize that the important inventions that most people use every day come from Black creators. Kids will love counting and rhyming along with Dana Miroballi’s fantastic text, and Sawyer Cloud’s detailed pictures will give everyone new details to find on every page. Back matter will help both adults and younger readers delve deeper into the specific people behind each invention.

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute (and rhyming!) counting book that doubles as a delightful way to introduce children to important inventions from Black inventors. The text is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are charming. The assortment of inventions is super interesting, highlighting both well-known and forgotten pioneers and reminding you about some important contributions to everyday life. A great addition to our bedtime reading library.

[Jessica Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the clever format of this picture book about Black inventors. The book counts up from 1 to 10, with each number and page spread corresponding to a different invention, and the name of the inventor running vertically along the edge of the page. The story is told in rhyme, which makes it fun to read as well as being interesting and educational. The illustrations are bold and bright. The author has also included some excellent backmatter!

[Anna Ouchchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a clever book! It's a book about Black inventors (some of them forgotten by history), but it's also a counting book told in rhyme. Meanwhile, the illustrations tell their own story of a family getting ready to visit Grandma for her 100th birthday. Backmatter fleshes out the stories of the inventors and inventions. I am in awe of all the layers in this book and how well they work together!

[A.J. Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love layered picture books! And the format of this one is super fun and accessible! We learn about ten incredible inventions by Black inventors as we follow a family’s preparations for Granny’s 100th birthday. The joyful art, bouncy rhyming text, and counting element will captivate young readers. INVENTIONS TO COUNT ON (such a clever title!) by Dana Marie Miroballi and Sawyer Cloud is a must-read celebration of Black inventors and the inventions that have improved our everyday lives!

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ingenious book! The main text is a counting book with easy, joyful rhyme accessible to even the youngest readers, sharing information about ten inventions that enrich our daily lives and their Black inventors. The back matter gives more information about each of the inventors, an easy-to-understand explanation of patents, and an excellent list of books for further reading. Curious kids will love this one!

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book! So inventive (pun intended) in the way information about inventions created by Black inventors is presented as a rhyming counting book. Each invention is shared through every day life examples as a family prepares for a big event. Just brilliant! The back matter shares brief but detailed information about each inventor. The illustrations are bright and energetic, like the rhymes counting from 1 to ten. Such a fun read aloud with so many layers.

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both delightful and important! It cleverly introduces young readers to important inventions by Black innovators. The rhythmic text is fun to read aloud, and the charming illustrations bring each invention-some familiar, others lesser-known-to life in an inviting way that is sure to command many repeat reads. This is great addition to any home or classroom collection (which also includes engaging backmatter on the featured innovators).

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

INVENTIONS TO COUNT ON teaches readers about surprising, every day inventions created by Black inventors. The simple poetic text is accessible and charming. Back matter provides top-notch information about the inventors and patents as it encourages children to consider themselves as the inventors of the future.

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

With rhyming text, this book is introduces readers to Black inventors. The back matter provides interesting details. From ironing boards to ice cream scoopers to 3-way traffic lights, INVENTIONS TO COUNT ON presents lesser-known, but important and useful inventions. The art is delightful and complements the story beautifully.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this story and love how it is organized as a counting book. Small sidebars share the factual information as to who and when each item was invented while the main text is a playful rhyme. Cloud's illustrations are bright and lively bring fun and energy to each image. A great addition to home and school libraries. You will learn a lot from this one!

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the unique format of this book and all that it has to offer! We have counting from one to ten, fun rhyming text, lively illustrations, recognition of incredible work and inventions by Black creators, and facts at the back about inventors, patents, and mini biographies of all the inventors. This picture book is fun, informative, and empowering!

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so many layers! It's a counting book filled with adorable illustrations, but it's also a nonfiction book about black inventors who created the different things we're counting. I love the extensive back matter that teached us more about what an invention is, each of the inventors mentioned, and more. Highly recommended for all homes, schools, and libraries!

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful picture book with multiple engaging layers! The main text introduces different inventions with bouncy rhyme and a counting structure, and detailed back matter provides more information about each of the ten Black inventors. The bright, joyful illustrations perfectly match the uplifting tone of the book. Highly recommend!

[Stacey Byer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this educational, counting book that introduces us to 10 impactful inventions created by Black Innovators.
Miroballi’s lovely rhyming text and Cloud’s colorful illustrations make this multi-layered story a fantastic read for all!
The back matter spotlights the innovative inventors and includes book recommendations that also celebrate Black Ingenuity.

[Lisa Tolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This celebration of Black excellence is both a rhyming counting book and an enlightening look at some of the biggest creations of Black inventors. The main text celebrates the utility of heaters, shoes, and ice cream scoopers, while the back matter explains each invention's origins. Additional information about patents and inventors will inspire the next generation of makers.

[Christine Alemshah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A innovative, fascinating celebration of Black history and inventors. I love the dual sections of this book sharing the inventions as a counting concept book and then expanding upon the back story of their creators within the back matter. This lovely book that would make a lovely addition to libraries everywhere!

[Moniza Hossain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an informative book! The book counts down ten inventions, and the back matter then expands on the inventions, revealing details about the inventors. One inspiring thread that connects all of the inventors is their desire to make the world a safer, better and more efficient place. The book will inspire kids to do the same. A must have for libraries.

[Hillary Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this children's book, it teaches students about Black inventors mentioning some inventions that have been created by them. A family member was having their 100th birthday. The kids went around finding ten inventions that have made an impact in their lives. This book brings a lot of inclusiveness to the Black community and is great for students to learn about!

[Sabrina Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dana Miroballi’s counting book puts a fun twist on the 1 to 10!
We learn about the more important inventions we use EVERYDAY that came from Black inventors and creators and skillful talented individuals
The back matter is really informative and its great to have in schools to learn where these everyday things we probably take for granted came from.

[Jackie Morera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read aloud with lovely illustrations. INVENTIONS TO COUNT ON: A CELEBRATION OF BLACK INVENTORS is a delightful rhyming, counting book that celebrates 10 Black inventors and their inventions. Helpful backmatter dives deeper into their histories and encourages readers to invent their own solutions and improvements to things!

[Dara Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inventions to Count On is a vibrant counting book introducing young readers to Black inventors whose everyday creations have shaped our world. With each number, readers will learn more about history and each invention. This book is a joyful blend of learning, legacy, and inspiration. Great for the classroom or home.

[Korena Howley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful survey of 10 Black inventors doubles as a counting book for the youngest readers, with lively rhyming text and cheerful visuals that incorporate each innovation into family adventures ahead of a joyful reunion. Back matter includes the little-known stories behind modern conveniences we rely on every day, plus empowering words of inspiration for kid inventors everywhere!