(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colin Bootman. Hooks cogently sketches the life and medical contributions of Vivien Thomas, best known for his successful treatment of tetralogy of Fallot, or "blue baby syndrome." An African American, Thomas faced much prejudice in his career, a theme that is deftly balanced with the clear exposition of the surgical procedure Thomas invented. Watercolor illustrations are staid but competent.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(1) 4-6 Murphy tells the story of the medical team in the 1940s that solved the problem of "Blue baby syndrome"--Dr. Alfred Blalock; pediatrician Helen Taussig (a woman in a male-dominated field); and Vivien Thomas, Blalock's African American lab assistant, who developed and refined the surgical procedure. The synthesis of their stories is illuminating, serving also as social commentary on the times. Numerous black-and-white photographs are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(4) 4-6 Genius Inventors and Their Great Ideas series. This series offers biographical sketches plus information about groundbreaking inventions and innovations in various disciplines. Each inventor is depicted as having genius along with curiosity, patience, dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance. "Real fact" inserts and archival photographs accompany the readable texts; the design suffers from garish graphics and borders. Generic suggestions to encourage young inventors are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Genius Inventors and Their Great Ideas titles: The Man Who Invented the Ferris Wheel, The African-American Heart Surgery Pioneer, The Man Who Invented Television, The Man Who Invented the Electric Guitar, The Man Who Invented the Laser, and The Woman Who Invented the Thread that Stops Bullets.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 I Like Inventors! series. These introductions to the people who came up with innovations we take for granted provide very basic information about their lives, such as their upbringing and motivations, as well as their inventions; there's little about processes, giving readers no sense of the magnitude of their achievements. Photos, many archival, are included in every spread. A related activity ends each title. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Like Inventors! titles: Who Invented Home Video Games?, Who Invented Television?, Who Was the Hair-Care Millionaire?, Who Fixed Babies' Hearts?, and Who Invented the Ferris Wheel?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Genius at Work! Great Inventor Biographies series. This series profiles the achievements of less well-known inventors; the clear writing can be overly simplistic. Readers will appreciate the books' attention to childhood influences and lifelong perseverance. Most of the archival photos are portraits; the few sidebars, photos of the inventions, and diagrams add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Genius at Work! Great Inventor Biographies titles: Heart Man, Laser Man, and The Teen Who Invented Television.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi