Wallmark, Laurie. Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine. April Chu, Illus. Biog. Creston, 10/2015. [40]pp. $17.99. 978-1-939547-20-0. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 2-5.
Dramatic full-color pencil drawings that look like paintings combine with a concise, factual text in this picture book biography of the woman who invented the first computer program in the 1800s. Beginning with Lovelace’s youth and continuing into her education as a young adult, this will empower girls to embrace math and coding. The illustrations are very strong, clearly delineating the time period, especially in the look of the surroundings and clothing. Back matter includes an author’s note, timeline, and list of books and other research materials. Named the Eureka Gold Medal winner for children’s non-fiction by the California Reading Association.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool