  | Full Text Reviews: Bulletin for the Center... - 07/01/2016 Working for the Navy in World War II to reduce vibrations to delicate ships’ instruments, Richard James was distracted-and then inspired-by a spring that fell from his shelf, or more precisely, seemed to walk off his shelf. That may not have been the tool the Navy needed, but it could be one heckuva fun toy, and with the assistance of his wife, Betty (who found the perfect name for the toy in the dictionary), he set out to market his serendipitous find as the Slinky. After being turned down many times, he begged his way into Gimbel’s department store before the Christmas holiday, going so far as to hire a shill who would publicly applaud his demonstration. No need: it was an instant sell-out, and the rest-a post-war baby boom, a dedicated factory, and an expanded staff-is Toy Industry Hall of Fame history. Darker episodes from the inventor’s life, such as financial failure and the implied marital rift between the Jameses, are relegated to an endnote that raises as many questions as it answers. Kids who are content to focus on the Slinky itself, though, are rewarded with a lively and visually entertaining tale. Illustrations created from cutouts, painted backgrounds, and realia (including lots of kids’ period dollhouse furniture, toy vehicles, and games) will prove as fascinating for many readers as the narration itself. Pair this with Chris Barton’s Whoosh! (BCCB 6/16) on the invention of the Super Soaker for a crowd-pleasing invention-themed story time. EB - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 07/01/2016 K-Gr 2—The history of an iconic toy is shared in this delightful title from award-winning illustrator Ford. Authoring his first nonfiction picture book, Ford introduces his readers to naval engineer Richard James and his wife, Betty James. Always a dreamer, Richard James watches in wonder one day as a torsion spring falls from a shelf in his office and its coils take a walk. In that moment, the seeds of an idea are planted in his imagination, and with the help of his family, Richard James invents a new toy. Through his ingenuity, a simple spring is transformed into the "Slinky, a one-of-a-kind thing!" After a hit demonstration to holiday shoppers at Gimbels, Richard and Betty James's business becomes a thriving enterprise. Ford's forthright narrative is informative, and his illustrations are as inventive as the engineer's amusing new toy. The pictures capture the can-do attitude of the mid-20th century United States and mirror the clever creativity the inventor needed to bring his sensational toy to kids and parents across the country. Found objects such as metal springs, dominoes, fuzzy pipe cleaners, and game pieces decorate the dioramic illustrations, adding a touch of whimsy to the scenes chronicling the Jameses' entrepreneurial journey. VERDICT Young scientists and kids at heart will appreciate this nostalgic look at a popular accidental invention.—Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 07/01/2016 Who hasn’t had fun with a Slinky at some point in childhood? This toy has been ubiquitous since its creation in the mid-twentieth century, and its origin story will grab young readers and might spur would-be inventors to think about the way simple things capture imaginations. Meanwhile, older readers will have fun pinpointing all the vintage treasure Ford uses to embellish his three-dimensional set-piece illustrations: from dominoes and pick-up sticks to plastic sedans and dollhouse sofas, he imaginatively uses childhood’s commonplaces to add pizzazz. The story itself, while explored in books like Charlotte Foltz Jones’ Mistakes That Worked (1991), remains fascinating. The toy was first conceived during WWII, when engineer Richard Jones noticed a spring he’d been working with could “walk” from a shelf, but it gained momentum as a pop culture touchstone when his wife, Betty, not only named the toy but also found ways to market it, from department store demos to catchy jingles. Readers intrigued by the origins of commonplace things will find this a fulfilling piece of nonfiction. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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