"Ada Lovelace" - a bookwrap

This 19th-century female mathematician created the first computer program, but do you know who she is? Who is Ada Lovelace? 

Unwrapping

Little People, BIG DREAMS

"Ada Lovelace"

Authored by Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrated by Zafouko Yamamoto

Ages 5-8
Grade Level K-3
Series:  Little People, Big Dreams
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
(March 1, 2018) 


Editorial Reviews

“Informative text…smartly illustrated… Another batch of successful instalments in the series”

- School Library Journal SLJ

“Stirring encouragement for all 'little people' with 'big dreams.'” 

- Kirkus

“One children’s books series trying to fight back… by telling the inspiring stories of women who overcame adversity and made history by pursuing their childhood dreams.” 

- Toronto Star

“We're obsessed with the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series” 

- MotherMag

“packs an emotional punch” 

- Entertainment Weekly

“The kind of books that adults will covet and collect as well… The language and structure is simple enough for young readers, while a biographical timeline at the end of each book offers greater historical complexity” 

• Irish Times

Unwrapping some wonderful illustrations

About the book

This book is the newest edition of the "Little People, Big Dreams" series.  It is a mini-biography which introduces the reader to a wonderful woman, Ada Lovelace, who is way ahead of her time.  She was born in England having Lord Byron, a very famous poet, as her father in 1819.  Her mother, who loves maths, steers her ambitions towards the maths and away from the arts.  Strangely enough little Ada inherits both of her parent's ingenious traits.  Because of the absence of both parents in her life she spends a lot of time at her grandparent's house.  Often on her own she lets her imagination soar.  It is saturated with all kinds of creative mental imagery that she happily conjures up. 

Ada, at the age of fourteen, becomes quite ill and is bed-ridden for three long years.  Although her body is frail and sickly her mind flourishes as she studies, invents and dreams. 

After a while Ada travels to London where she encounters a very famous mathematician named Charles Babbage.  Together they mesh their intellect and create something totally magically for the times... the calculator. Ada uses her creative mind and pushes the envelope farther to embellish what it can do.  The original calculator is only capable of doing sums quickly and Ada knows that she can make it do even more amazing things.  She actually  writes a code made up of numbers, that will tell the calculator what to do.  It is the first computer language known and some of it is still in use to this very today. 

"She showed that when you use science and imagination, your dreams can take flight." 

The illustrations enhance and enrich the narrative and the educational facts that the author includes at the end of the book are truly fascinating to read.  

This series is a wonderful role model for young girls as they read about empowered, normal women who make huge contributions and change the world in a positive way.  The stories are simply told and the series is a best-seller.  The books truly are a celebration of women hood and are now available in board book format for young readers to enjoy.  

You never know who you are raising in your home or who you are teaching in your classroom.  You just might be nurturing someone who will impact the world in a very dynamic way!  I highly, highly recommend this book and the entire series. 

Introducing the author

Isabel Sanchez Vergara born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children's books. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture. 

About the illustrator 

I'm a children's book illustrator from Greece and sometimes an architect!

My name is Zaf Simopoulou, and I am a freelance illustrator from Thessaloniki, Greece specializing in children's book illustrations.

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