Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors - by Dana Marie Miroballi (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From ice cream scoopers to extendable fire truck ladders, the inventions of Black innovators have changed history. Through playful art and rhyming text, readers follow a bustling modern family as they get ready for a beloved relative's 100th birthday. Woven into their activities are ten inventions that positively impact their daily lives-and ours! Both a clever counting book and a celebration of Black history, Inventions to Count On shines a light on forgotten pioneers like Alice H. Parker, who received a patent for her innovative home furnace design, as well as famous inventors like James West, who developed the tiny microphones used in current cell phone technology"--

Book Synopsis

From forgotten innovators like Anna M. Mangin to well-known inventors like James West, this picture book is a celebration of Black history and inventors with a unique counting rhyme

One heater keeps a family warm / Sheltered from the winter storm.
Two phones bridge a thousand miles / Bringing laughter, joy, and smiles.

From traffic lights to ice cream scoopers to fire trucks, there are so many different ways that Black inventors changed history. Follow a bustling modern-day family as they get ready for a beloved family member's 100th birthday. Woven into their activities are ten inventions that positively impact their daily lives as they prepare for the celebration.

With simple, rhyming text and charming art, Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors shines a light on forgotten pioneers, including Alice H. Parker, Garrett Morgan, Anna M. Mangin, Joseph Winters, Alfred L. Cralle, Sarah Boone, Jan Ernst Matzeliger, and Alexander Miles, as well as honoring celebrated inventors like James West, who developed the tiny microphone still used in cell phones today, and Granville T. Woods, who invented third rail technology for trains.

Review Quotes

"Each of the first 10 spreads features a rhyming couplet that pays homage to a single invention. With brief text and full-bleed illustrations of a joyful Black family in a variety of familiar scenes, this section will work well for story hours with toddlers and young preschoolers."-- "School Library Journal"

"The author's closing observation that these men and women are worth celebrating for the way they pressed on in the face of systemic discrimination and other obstacles is well taken. An effective pep talk."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Dana Marie Miroballi is a speech-language pathologist and former teacher. She grew up in Germany, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan, and now lives in Chicago with her family. Miroballi began writing at an early age and is the author of If My Hair Had a Voice. Working in schools and becoming a parent inspired her to create books that celebrate cultural diversity and educate children about overlooked people and events in Black history. One of her favorite inventions is Alfred L. Cralle's ice cream scooper because she enjoys hot fudge sundaes all year round. Sawyer Cloud is a self-taught artist from the island of Madagascar. She has illustrated more than 35 children's books and is constantly looking for new stories to tell. Her long list of goals includes traveling around the world and writing her own books for children. Passionate and curious by nature, Cloud believes in the power of big dreams and loves discovering new things in life, such as the inventions in this book! One of her favorites is Sarah Boone's improved ironing board because it makes her think about her mom, who never misses an ironing session every afternoon just before tea time.