Description: Ada Byron Lovelace & the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark, April Chu Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. When she meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada understands the machine better than anyone else and writes the worlds first computer program in order to demonstrate its capabilities. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. When she meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada understands the machine better than anyone else and writes the worlds first computer program in order to demonstrate its capabilities. Author Biography Laurie Wallmark has published stories in Highlights, Cricket, and other childrens magazines. When not writing, she teaches computer science. Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine is her first book. Visit her blog at lauriewallmark.com. April Chu began her career as an architect with a degree from the University of California, Berkeley, but decided to return to her true passion of illustrating and storytelling. She lives and works in Oakland, California. Her previous book, In a Village by the Sea, is also a Creston title and received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, as well as a rave review from the New York Times and Fuse #8. Learn more about her at aprilchu.com. Review What a fascinating story! This vividly-written, gorgeously illustrated picture book biography brings to life the personality and amazing accomplishments of the astonishing 19th century female mathematician who conceived of the idea of computer programming long before there were even computers and is literally the "mother of computer science." I cant wait to share it with my students! -- Carol Simon Levin, Youth Services Librarian and Historical Impersonator of "Fascinating Women History Forgot" "Ive been an admirer of Ada Byron Lovelace for years and a book that introduces her to young readers is long overdue. While women are tragically underrepresented in computer science today, the true pioneer of the field was Ada, whose mastery of numbers and determination led to her making a permanent mark. Lets hope that this wonderful book not only delights, but inspires many girls to pursue Adas ideals." -- Steven Levy, author of Hackers "The story of Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine is a page-turner and will appeal to children, adults, scientists, and non-scientists alike. This book begins to fill the gap in the literature about girls and women in mathematics and computer science. The harmony of thorough research, beautifully written prose, portrayal of theory, practice, romanticism, and passion that accompany the creation of a complex scientific invention were wonderfully woven together, just like the mechanics of the "Thinking Machine" itself. I was reminded of the excitement of becoming a mathematician!" -- Ellen Gethner, professor of computer science and mathematics at the University of Colorado Denver "Meet Ada Byron Lovelace in this fascinating tale of the worlds first computer programmer. Beautifully detailed illustrations bring Adas world to life for young readers." -- Kathy Haug, Association of Childrens Librarians of Northern California "This enchanting book brings to vibrant life the biography of Ada Lovelace, a girl who loved numbers and dreamed up the worlds first computer program before computers existed. By rescuing Adas story from the overbearing shadow of her famous father, poet Lord Byron, Laurie Wallmark and April Chu provide a valuable role model for all young women destined to pursue careers in math and science." -- Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity "Two hundred years after her birth in 1815, the world is finally beginning to pay attention to Ada Byron Lovelace, considered by many to be the inventor of computer programming. Computer scientist and debut author Wallmark introduces her subject as a child fascinated by numbers, lucky enough to be born to a geometry-loving mother with the means and inclination to nurture her daughters talents. She focuses on her subjects adolescence, choosing details that highlight Lovelaces d evelopment as a mathematical genius. The girl sketches models for flying machines, works endless calculations to compute the wings power--young readers will sympathize as they hear how "writing for so long made her fingers hurt"--and studies a toy boat to see how minute adjustments to its sails affect its speed. A bout of measles that leaves her temporarily blind and paralyzed serves to further hone her brilliance, as her mother drills her with math problems. She is perfectly positioned for her fateful meeting with Charles Babbage, whose proposed Analytical Engine prompts her to write the algorithm (described as "a set of mathematical instructions") that becomes the worlds very first computer program. Chus illustrations, digitally colored in a deep, jewel-toned palette, accompany the lively prose. Lovelace is a Pre-Raphaelite beauty set against a backdrop of teeming Victorian interiors littered with diagrams and pages of figures; children will enjoy spotting the girls loyal cat. A splendidly inspiring introduction to an unjustly overlooked woman. (authors note, timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Wallmark makes her childrens book debut with an inspiring and informative account of 19th-century mathematician Lovelace, who is considered to be the worlds first computer programmer. Lovelaces mathematical passions are evident from the first pages, as Chu shows the infant in a bassinet, reaching for a mobile of stars and numbers (shes adjoined by her mother, whose own interests earned her the nickname "The Princess of Parallelograms," and her father, poet Lord Byron). Wallmark moves swiftly through Lovelaces life, facing obstacles that included a bout of measles that temporarily left her blind and paralyzed, as well as societal attitudes toward women in the sciences. Lovelace found a kindred spirit in inventor Charles Babbage, eventually creating "the worlds first computer program" for his Analytical Machine. Chu brings the same grace and precision to this book as she did to In a Village by the Sea, and her finely detailed pencilwork is ideally suited to the schematics, blueprints, and mechanical implements that surround Lovelace and Babbage as they work, not to mention the stately apparel and architecture of their Victorian surroundings." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED review "Laurie Wallmark has written an exciting tribute worthy of this amazing woman. The vividly written narrative reads like a story and keeps you turning pages. The illustrations by April Chu are gorgeous, and perfectly complement the text. An authors note and timeline at the end of the book give more details about Ada Lovelaces life and work." --Wands and Worlds Reviews "Soft, delicate yet detailed illustrations evoke Adas wonder and accomplishments, with a final spread depicting a spacecraft--a flying machine come true--running a computer language called Ada in her honor. Back matter offers more information on Adas life and the worlds first computer program. A beautiful tribute to this female computer pioneer." --Booklist, STARRED review "This picture book is a visually rich peek into Victorian high society, an inspiring tribute to the life of the mind, and a fine introduction to Ada Byron Lovelace, a lesser-known pioneer in the field of computer science. Discover: A visually stunning picture-book biography of Ada Byron Lovelace, a 19th-century English mathematician whose ideas contributed to the invention of the modern-day computer." --Karin Snelson, childrens and YA editor, Shelf Awareness "Wallmark brings the story alive with grace and clarity; she never showboats, but she always finds the right word or phrase. Chus vivid illustrations tell a story unto themselves, one of both mathematical precision and romantic flights of fancy. The image of Adas sketches flying off the page is particularly arresting. A great choice for girls who love math or science." --Chicago Tribune Eureka Gold Medal Winner for Childrens Nonfiction --California Reading Association Booklist Top Ten Books in Science and Health Booklist Editors Choice: Books for Youth 2015 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 for 2016, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Childrens Book Council "Ada Byron Lovelaces fascinating, overlooked story is just beginning to get the recognition it deserves, and this handsome picture-book biography does it justice. We meet the daughter of Lord Byron, the famous Romantic poet, as a young girl besotted by numbers and encouraged to pursue mathematics by her mother, who loved geometry. A bout with measles leaves her blind and bedridden, but she uses the time productively: "Mama posed ever harder problems, and Ada solved them all." When she recovers and later meets the mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage -- who has plans for a "thinking machine," his Analytical Engine, but hasnt actually built it -- Adas destiny is set in motion. In her debut picture book, Wallmark manages to create an atmosphere of suspense as she clearly lays out the steps Ada took to come up with the first algorithm that could allow a machine to solve complex math problems. The digital art by Chu ("In a Village by the Sea") adds to the storys intellectually riveting quality, making Ada and her refined world look somehow both pre-Raphaelite and cool." --New York Times "The combination of Wallmarks passionate text and April Chus superb bold illustrations make this book stand out from the pack. Children will appreciate the fact Chu included a playful cat in the illustrations, adding interest and continuity from page to page. Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine is likely to resonate with kids interested in computers, math, and engineering and inspire some who havent yet found their passions. History buffs, particularly those interested in womens history, will also want to check it out." --Nonfiction Monday Best Fiction for Children & Teens "This beautifully illustrated biography introduces future programmers to the life of Ada Byron Lovelace, the child of Lord Byron, who loved inventing things. Your little one will get inspired as they learn about "The Princess of Parallelograms" and how her passion for math and science as a child led her to become the worlds first computer programmer." --Todays Parent "This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Ada Byron Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron the poet, and how she grew up fascinated by numbers and what she could make them do. When she was bedridden by measles, her interest in mathematics grew even more. When she became a young woman, she meets Mary Fairfax Somerville, a well-known female scientist and mathematician. Through Somerville, Ada met Charles Babbage, who had invented the first computer/calculator. Though Babbage continued to develop the mechanics of the Difference Engine, it was Ada who figured out how to program it in a way that made it more efficient. We live in a world where math heroes often fly under the radar, and where most elementary children have never imagined that a female mathematician could make a difference in t he world -- let alone in the world of the early 1800s. Math teachers who care about their female students should thank Laurie Wallmark and April Chu for creating this book, then they should immediately order this book for their classroom. Right away." -- Bill Boerman-Cornell, professor of Childrens Literature and Disciplinary Literacy, Trinity College, Illinois "The 510s shelves are hardly in danger of collapsing under the weight of childrens books about women mathematicians, and librarians will welcome this picture book biography of Augusta Ada Lovelace, whose assistance to Charles Babbage resulted in what is credited as the first computer program. Wallmark offers a smooth narrative that blends the human-interest details of her life--the absence of her famous poet father, the influence and support of her mathematically gifted mother, her tempo- rary blinding and paralysis from measles--with the importance of her own work, particularly her invention designs and the algorithms she wrote that would theoreti- cally enable Babbages Analytical Engine to function. While Lovelaces achievement gets the spotlight in the main text, Wallmark acknowledges in a closing note that her accomplishments were hidden from most contemporaries behind the cryptic "A.A.L." with which she signed her work. Wallmark also effectively explains the mathematical innovation in simple terms, stressing Lovelaces knack for breaking down complex tasks into orderly steps, which would enable machines to perform complex calculations more easily and quickly than a the most nimble person armed only with a pencil. Chus illustrations, "colored on an Analytical Engine," are occasionally stiff, but theyre an intriguing mashup of Pixar-style polish and romantic Victorian detail. An appended timeline, which hints at further landmarks of Lovelaces adult life, may encourage readers to seek out more information via the bibliography; a note on Ada Lovelace Day should spark celebratory activities, especially among the STEM girls, in October." --Recommended, The Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books "This well-written and handsomely illustrated picture book biography details how Ada Lovelace Byron was able to write the first computer program more than 100 years before the first computer was built...The descriptive text and dazzling spreads work seamlessly to provide a sense of Lovelaces growing passion for mathematics and invention. The illustrations reflect the 19th-century setting and contain numerous supporting details. For example, gears that will eventually become part of the design of the Analytic Engine are featured throughout: in the corners of the title page, on the pages of Adas journals, and on Babbages chalkboard. VERDICT An excellent addition to STEM collections. --Starred Review, School Library Journal Outstanding Book --Association of Childrens Librarians of Northern California Outstanding Merit, Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year "This extraordinary bio of a Victorian-era mathematician who anticipated computer programming is fascinating and easy to read. Author Laurie Wallmark tells the story deftly, highlighting just the right human and dramatic detail, and April Chus art brings Ada and her passions vividly to life." --Common Sense Media Prizes Commended for Cook Prize 2016 Long Description Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. When she meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada understands the machine better than anyone else and writes the worlds first computer program in order to demonstrate its capabilities. Review Quote What a fascinating story! This vividly-written picture, gorgeously illustrated book brings to life the personality and amazing accomplishments of the astonishing 19th century female mathematician who conceived of the idea of computer programming long before there were even computers and is literally the "mother of computer science." I cant wait to share it with my students! - Carol Simon Levin, Youth Services Librarian and Historical Impersonator of "Fascinating Women History Forgot" Feature STEM: Technology/Coding 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction Details ISBN1939547202 Author April Chu Short Title ADA BYRON LOVELACE & THE THINK Publisher Creston Books Language English Illustrator April Chu ISBN-10 1939547202 ISBN-13 9781939547200 Media Book Format Hardcover Imprint Creston Books Country of Publication United States Year 2015 AU Release Date 2015-10-29 NZ Release Date 2015-10-29 UK Release Date 2015-10-29 DEWEY 004 Audience Children / Juvenile Pages 36 Audience Age 4-12 Publication Date 2015-10-13 Illustrations Bibliography; Illustrations, color US Release Date 2015-10-13 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:95810073;
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Restocking fee: No
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ISBN-13: 9781939547200
Type: NA
Publication Name: NA
Book Title: Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine
Item Height: 280mm
Item Width: 229mm
Illustrator: April Chu
Author: Laurie Wallmark
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Topic: Science
Publisher: Creston Books
Publication Year: 2015
Item Weight: 482g
Number of Pages: 40 Pages
