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Ada Byron Lovelace & the Thinking Machine Hardcover – Picture Book, October 13, 2015

by Laurie Wallmark (Author), April Chu (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings
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Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the famous romantic poet, Lord Byron, develops her creativity through science and math. When she meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Ada understands the machine better than anyone else and writes the world's first computer program in order to demonstrate its capabilities.

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  1. Reading age
    4 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    36 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 6
  5. Lexile measure
    780
  6. Dimensions
    9.25 x 0.34 x 11.25 inches
  7. Publisher
    Creston Books
  8. Publication date
    October 13, 2015
  9. ISBN-10
    1939547202
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1939547200
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—This well-written and handsomely illustrated picture book biography details how Ada Lovelace Byron was able to write the first computer program more than 100 years before the first computer was built. Ever since she was a young girl, Lovelace was fascinated by numbers. As she was growing up, she filled her journals with ideas for inventions and equations. Her mother provided tutors to further develop Lovelace's passion for mathematics. When one of these tutors invited Lovelace and her mother to a gathering of scientists, she met the famous mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage. He was so impressed by Lovelace's knowledge that he invited her to his laboratory, where she learned about his idea for an Analytical Engine, a mechanical computer that would solve difficult problems by working them through step-by-step. She realized that this "computer" would only work if it were provided with detailed instructions, and after much work, she succeeded in writing what is now referred to as the first computer program and in creating the profession of computer programming. The descriptive text and dazzling spreads work seamlessly to provide a sense of Lovelace's growing passion for mathematics and invention. The illustrations reflect the 19th-century setting and contain numerous supporting details. For example, gears that will eventually become part of the design of the Analytic Engine are featured throughout: in the corners of the title page, on the pages of Ada's journals, and on Babbage's chalkboard. VERDICT An excellent addition to STEM collections.—Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York

Review

"An excellent addition to STEM collections."―starred, School Library Journal



"A beautiful tribute to this female computer pioneer."―starred, Booklist



"[A]n inspiring and informative account of 19th-century mathematician Lovelace."―starred, Publishers Weekly



"A splendidly inspiring introduction to an unjustly overlooked woman."―starred, Kirkus Reviews



"Lovelace's fascinating, overlooked story is just beginning to get the recognition it deserves, and this handsome picture-book biography does it justice."―The New York Times



"Wallmark brings the story alive with grace and clarity."―Chicago Tribune

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Creston Books; Illustrated edition (October 13, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1939547202
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1939547200
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 780
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.25 x 0.34 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
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  1. Laurie Wallmark

    Laurie Wallmark

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I’m an award-winning author of picture book biographies of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. My books have earned multiple starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding Science Trade Book, Best STEM Book, Crystal Kite Award, Cook Prize Honor, and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. My titles include ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE, NUMBERS IN MOTION, CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER, and DINO PAJAMA PARTY.

    I have an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. from VCFA and frequently present at schools as well as national professional conferences (NSTA, NCTE, ALA, TLA, etc.). I am a former software engineer and computer science professor.

    You can find me on the Web at www.lauriewallmark.com and @lauriewallmark. Want to meet me in real life? Check out my calendar at www.lauriewallmark.com/calendar.php.

    I am represented by Liza Fleissig and Ginger Harris of the Liza Royce Agency.

    I live in NJ with my husband and have two grown daughters.

    See more on the author's page
  2. April Chu

    April Chu

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    April Chu began her career as an architect with a degree from the University of California, Berkeley, but decided to return to her true passion of illustrating and storytelling. She remembers coming home from school every day, spending hours drawing whimsical characters in her notebook, and creating outlandish stories while watching cartoons, and she hasn't stopped drawing and creating stories since. April lives and works in Oakland, California. Visit her online at aprilchu.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
91 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

C. Hoffmann
5.0 out of 5 stars CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 2016 CRYSTAL KITE AWARD!
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 2016 CRYSTAL KITE AWARD!

A beautiful read aloud book, especially for younger minds still forming their vision of the world. The image of math girl as nerd or grunge is cast aside in Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine, the story of a science-oriented girl growing up in the same world as Queen Victoria.

The story of Ada’s curiosity about the natural world and her drive to understand how it works is gracefully told by Laurie Wallmark.
The elegant pictures by April Chu illustrate details and emotions that help the reader understand who Ada was on the inside.

Together, April and Laurie show how, with the support and encouragement of her inquiring mind, Ada was able to develop the first set of computations to direct a machine, the first computer program in a world before computers.

Picture books like this make it easy to see how Science can be part of every childhood. Wishing for more.
Thank you Creston Books!
4 people found this helpful
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cynthia roldan
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful art and paragraph per page
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
My 3rd-grade child selected Ada Lovelace for his biography report. Since most of the research was from google or academic reports it was refreshing to see children's book. He happily pointed out, that each page was about a paragraph long, simple, and to the point. He noticed there was more about her early life, unlike the academic reports he found. He enjoyed looking at the illustration. The illustrations, I found to relate very well with the story. I also liked how the story really focused on her and less on others whom she worked with, which was often found on our google search. Really happy with the book, illustration, and story.
2 people found this helpful
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ScotFlower
4.0 out of 5 stars Biography
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021
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There are a lot of books about Ada on the market. I had a hard time choosing a version as each had both positive and negative reviews. I finally chose this book simply because it seemed middle of the road. Long enough text that you got to know her life better, but not too much text to bore a 6 year old. However, I just was not thrilled with the book. Somehow it was just not as engaging as I had hoped. The illustrations were nice though and I did not know that Lovelace had measles and struggled to recover from it.
One person found this helpful
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alternacore
5.0 out of 5 stars Just a few quick comments, though this book deserves more!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
When my little guy came home from school the other day talking about Ada Byron Lovelace, I knew I needed to get him a book about her. I'm so glad I got this one—an award winning picture book that's truly a work of art.

The cover is even more gorgeous than it looks online. April Chu's illustrations are luminous.

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine is a book for all ages. I highly recommend it.
5 people found this helpful
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Vivian Kirkfield
5.0 out of 5 stars A winning book with spellbinding illustrations and well-written text!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. The text is well written and informative...what a great nonfiction book for elementary classrooms. And the illustrations...oh my goodness...they are spell-binding. Even if I didn't have any children to read this book to, I would want a copy for myself.
And books about 'mighty girls' who excel in the maths and sciences are so important for our young children.
I highly recommend this book!!!
2 people found this helpful
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QueenAmazon
5.0 out of 5 stars REMARKABLE BOOK & GORGEOUS!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
I am a female Math Prof & am so impressed to see such a beautifully illustrated book about Computer Scientist Ada! I bought several of these to give to students. Now if the Authors would only write another book about a female MATHEMATICIAN!!!
One person found this helpful
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Bonnevivante
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2021
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Great book! My children and I loved it. What an amazing woman!
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Momma
5.0 out of 5 stars Good highlights of a life worth noting
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
I bought this for my daughter, Ada, to get to know her namesake. It is, as far as I can tell, historically accurate and gives a beautiful overview of her life. Enough for an eight year old to absorb before she sits down with a chapter book later this year.
8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Mona
5.0 out of 5 stars Thankyou Amazon
Reviewed in India on October 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Before time delivery and perfect condition of the book.
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Lauriane
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to discover/ learn more about Ada
Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
Beautiful drawings, great story. I think this book would be liked by any child and even adults. I learned myself new things about Ada and her amazing life. I got this book for a little who loves technology so hopefully he will enjoy learning about Ada.
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fiamma p.
5.0 out of 5 stars bellissimo
Reviewed in Italy on April 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fantastico libro e fantastiche le illustrazioni, non necessariamente per soli bambini.
Lo consiglio a tutti gli appassionati di informatica e non.
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Game Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
Fantastically illustrated 18 double pages about the life of Ada, Countess of Lovelace, and how it came to be that she carries the modern label of "first computer programmer". Excellent material for the little ones in your family who are starting to engage in reading, both for boys and girls.

Note 000: The cover has a two stickers for "Outstanding Science Trade Book" and "California Reading Association Eurka Winner" that seem to be impossible to remove. Why!

Note 001: The gorgeous coloring was done by computer ... no problem here but the numerals on the Difference Engine indicator drums seem to have been drawn the same way ... perspective fails for them, they stay two-dimensional.

Note 010: A few photos (and possibly a few design blueprints) of the "replica" Difference Engine that can be admired at the Science Museum should have been added. That would have been rad!

Note 011: The title is wrong. We are not in presence of a Thinking Machine (it's a bit feeble for that), just a Symbol-Processing Machine (hey its core is called "The Mill").

Note 100: More about Ada here. [...]

P.S.

Sadly, the book errs in saying that Ada "created a new profession". The engineering branch of the Babbage Difference Engine and programmable Analytical Engine died off and did not feed into the conception of the electro-mechanical and electrical computers appearing at the start of the 20th century. For the modern "women in computing" in roles other than datatypists, one would have to wait for the "women tending ENIAC" [...] and probably "women tending Colossus" - and Grace Hopper of course.
6 people found this helpful
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Debjani
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in India on November 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
It is like a comic and not a book. Not worth the price.
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