A review by readaloud_mom
Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark, April Chu
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Beautiful illustrations complement this biography of Lovelace. I was so happy to be able to hand my young child (who loves math and is very femme-presenting) this book with a protagonist who loved math and was also very femme-presenting!
This is the first Wallmark biography that I stumbled on in the library, and oh, I am so glad I did! My family loves this book in its own right, and it was also a great introduction to the author. In this and her other biographies, Wallmark always acknowledges the barriers of sexism, while also always keeping the joy of mathematics in the foreground!
(The book includes tactful mention of Ada being born into a world of poetry dominated by Lord Byron; that her mother fled with infant Ada; and that Ada grew up not knowing her father. Doesn't go into details, but also pretty clearly suggests that not being around Lord Byron anymore was A Good Thing.
Oh, and my child was totally fascinated by Ada's debilitating bout with measles (including temporary blindness); but YMMV, I could see some young children finding that part disturbing.)
This is the first Wallmark biography that I stumbled on in the library, and oh, I am so glad I did! My family loves this book in its own right, and it was also a great introduction to the author. In this and her other biographies, Wallmark always acknowledges the barriers of sexism, while also always keeping the joy of mathematics in the foreground!
(The book includes tactful mention of Ada being born into a world of poetry dominated by Lord Byron; that her mother fled with infant Ada; and that Ada grew up not knowing her father. Doesn't go into details, but also pretty clearly suggests that not being around Lord Byron anymore was A Good Thing.
Oh, and my child was totally fascinated by Ada's debilitating bout with measles (including temporary blindness); but YMMV, I could see some young children finding that part disturbing.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Medical content