by Azadeh Westergaard (Author) Júlia Sardà (Illustrator)
A lyrical biography of the eccentric engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla
"An elegant and enlightening look at a man who brightened the whole world." -Booklist, starred review
Born at the stroke of midnight during a lightning storm, Nikola Tesla grew up to become one of the most important electrical inventors in the world. But before working with electricity, he was a child who loved playing with the animals on his family's farm in Serbia.
An inventor since childhood, Tesla's patents encompassed everything from radar and remote-control technology to wireless communications. But his greatest invention was the AC induction motor, which used alternating currents ( AC) to distribute electricity and which remains the standard for electric distribution today. Tesla's love of animals also remained constant throughout his life and led to his anointment as the Pigeon Charmer of New York for his devotion to nature's original wireless messengers.
Exploring his groundbreaking inventions against the backdrop of his private life, A Life Electric introduces Nikola Tesla to young readers unlike ever before. Azadeh Westergaard's lyrical debut brings compassion and humanity to the legacy of the brilliant inventor, while the esteemed illustrator Júlia Sardà deftly brings him to life.
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Gr 2-5--Young Nikola Tesla was first fascinated by electricity when he stroked his cat and produced sparks. This led to a lifelong quest to solve mysteries of the natural world. Tesla was well educated, and the seed for his greatest scientific discovery--alternating current (AC)--evolved from a line of poetry dealing with forward and backward motion. This poetic image made him realize that current could also travel back and forth and thus provide electricity over long distances. After his method of illumination was used to light up the sky at the Chicago World's Fair, Tesla became known as the Wizard of Electricity. But his prominence was short-lived. His naivete resulted in financial downfall when his partner, George Westinghouse, experienced difficulties. And he suffered the consequences of a smear campaign led by his rival Thomas Edison. With spare language, Westergaard sensitively portrays the life of a gentle man whose moment of brilliance was bookended by his early love of nature and his later reclusive years in New York when he became a peculiar figure, devoted almost exclusively to feeding pigeons. Sardà's dark palette appropriately echoes the somber tone. Extensive back matter and excellent sourcing are included. VERDICT For both pleasure reading and report writing, this is a worthy introduction to a brilliant scientist whose contributions have often been overshadowed by the better-known Thomas Edison.--Gloria Koster, formerly at West Sch., New Canaan, CT
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.This picture book biography profiles Serbian luminary Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), "one of the most important electrical inventors in the world--then and now." Starting from childhood, the volume follows Tesla's burgeoning interest in animals, electricity, and edification, leading to his inventing the alternating current induction motor at age 26, subsequently emigrating to the U.S., and eventually securing the contract to illuminate the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Debut author Westergaard punctuates her account of Tesla's work with details about his life, such as his daily caretaking of pigeons into his old age, when he died "penniless and alone." Intricate digital art by Sardà evokes folktales, Tesla's Croatian heritage, and artwork of the time, with fine lines and a dusky color palette. A luminous resource. Back matter includes an author's note with more about Tesla's inventions and legacy, photos, and sources. Ages 5-9. (July)
Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.