Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women [Paperback]

Catherine Thimmesh (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2002 | Age Range: 8 and up

In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW called this compilation of personal profiles "an inspired ode to women inventors." Ages 8-up. (Mar.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-An outstanding collective biography of women and girls who changed the world with their inventions. Thimmesh surveys unique and creative ideas that were both borne of necessity or were simply a product of ingenuity and hard work. Included are Bette Nesmith Graham, who invented Liquid Paper, known more commonly as "white-out," and Ann Moore, who emulated the way African mothers carried their babies to create the Snugli. While working for NASA, Jeanne Lee Crews invented the "space bumper" that protects spacecraft and astronauts. The last few individuals highlighted utilized their creativity at a fairly young age. Becky Schroeder was 10 when she invented Glo-sheet paper, which enables people to write in the dark. She became the youngest female to receive a U.S. patent. The book also encourages young women to start inventing themselves and offers a list of organizations with postal and Internet addresses to help them get started. Colorful collage artwork shows the women and their creations and adds vibrancy and lightness to the text.
Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618195637
• ISBN-13: 978-0618195633
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Science & Technology
  • #35 in Books > Science & Math > Technology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Enlightening Stories March 17, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Girls Think of Everything is truly captivating. The "Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women" are told in a manner which will delight the target audience. The writing is crisp, interesting and sophisticated and will hold the interest of bright children and interested adults alike; while at the same time, the stories are quite accessible for even younger children. The book is not a dry compilation of biographies of inventors or a boring recitals of the history of various inventions; but, instead, an ingenious approach to telling important (and fun) "Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women."

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Girls are amazing! April 13, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

The inspiring nuggets of information in Catherine Thimmesh's book have my mind racing--do I have an invention lurking somewhere inside of me? The author's concise, information-packed, yet fun narrative will intrigue children and adults alike, many of whom will turn page after page saying, "I never knew that!" Judging from the chronology of inventions on the endpapers, Ms. Thimmesh has many more stories to tell, and I can't wait to read them. Melissa Sweet's collage illustrations are the perfect complement, fascinating in their detail and ingenious in the textures and materials she chooses. I've already bought several copies of this book; one to keep and others to give as gifts. I can think of many children who will pore over this book with great interest.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering and informative September 23, 2005

By Lissa Johnston

Format:Paperback

This book goes a long way towards encouraging girls (and women!) to put their creative powers to practical use. It is so gratifying to learn that many everyday items (ice cream cones; Toll House cookies) were invented by women. And the items that are not so 'everyday' (Kevlar; space shields) have such a positive impact on the world around us. The illustrations are wonderfully creative, blending the fascinating details of the text into whimsical collages. Don't forget the sidebars - lots of fun facts there as well.