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A review by maria_3k
The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat by Anne Renaud
4.0
Inventing is a process of trial and error, often with many failed attempts preceding that Eureka moment, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. That’s the message behind this surprising biography of the father of the Popsicle. With engaging art and clear narration, this book has a fascinating story to tell, but the icing on the cake is the four science experiments included at relevant moments in the book that encourage kids to experiment and observe for themselves.
Frank Epperson was a determined inventor from an early age, and this book chronicles his efforts, from his two-handled handcar to his crowning creation—the Ep-sicle. Although a freak weather event (overnight freeze in San Francisco) first led to Epperson’s childhood discovery, he filed it away until, as an adult, he realized the world was ready for a frozen treat other than ice cream sandwiches. Pop Epperson’s ploys to market his confection are as entertaining and enlightening as his earlier experiments, and the illustrator does a beautiful job of depicting the time period of the early 1900s, as well as in the joyous final page, which shows a park full of modern and diverse Popsicle consumers.
Rather than a timeline, this book ends with a two page spread that contains the author’s summary of Epperson’s life and several captioned photos. Because two of the four experiments result in a sweet treat, you’ll find this biography in the 640s with the dessert cookbooks, but, to me, it’s more about encouraging kids to ask questions, think scientifically, and know that if an imaginative 11-year-old can invent a distinctive dessert that has lasted over a century, they, too, can come up with something innovative.
Frank Epperson was a determined inventor from an early age, and this book chronicles his efforts, from his two-handled handcar to his crowning creation—the Ep-sicle. Although a freak weather event (overnight freeze in San Francisco) first led to Epperson’s childhood discovery, he filed it away until, as an adult, he realized the world was ready for a frozen treat other than ice cream sandwiches. Pop Epperson’s ploys to market his confection are as entertaining and enlightening as his earlier experiments, and the illustrator does a beautiful job of depicting the time period of the early 1900s, as well as in the joyous final page, which shows a park full of modern and diverse Popsicle consumers.
Rather than a timeline, this book ends with a two page spread that contains the author’s summary of Epperson’s life and several captioned photos. Because two of the four experiments result in a sweet treat, you’ll find this biography in the 640s with the dessert cookbooks, but, to me, it’s more about encouraging kids to ask questions, think scientifically, and know that if an imaginative 11-year-old can invent a distinctive dessert that has lasted over a century, they, too, can come up with something innovative.