Beulah Has a Hunch!

September 15, 2023
An introduction to a groundbreaking inventor known as "Lady Edison." The subtitle should be taken literally, as the author offers limited biographical information while zeroing in on her subject's lifelong fascination with learning how machines and household items work and the "hyperphantasia"--the ability to visualize items in unusually exact detail--that helped Henry devise her inventions and improvements. Henry also had what she herself described as "color hearing," now known as synesthesia, which Mazeika illustrates with stars and brightly hued curlicues floating through select scenes to represent dance music or street sounds. Beginning in 1913 with improvements to ladies' parasols, Henry went on to file dozens of patents for significant refinements to sewing machines, kitchenware, doll designs, and more. She also shrugged off male resistance to the notion of a woman inventor and went into business for herself as a consultant and the founder of two manufacturing companies. Accompanied by several small but illustrative patent drawings, the afterword highlights Henry's neurodiversity while promoting her lasting impact on women in STEM (her current obscurity notwithstanding). Looking forthright and confident beneath a coronal wreath of red hair, she and most of the other figures in the illustrations are white, but skin tones vary in some group and street scenes. More role model than living person here, but still well worth the attention. (source list) (Picture-book biography. 8-10)

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October 1, 2023

Gr 2-4-This is the story of Beulah Louise Henry, a contemporary inventor of Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. However, the early 20th century was not accepting of women of scientific interests. This nonfiction picture book gives a general overview of young Henry's growing curiosity about functional objects, such as clocks and gas stoves. How did they work? Henry had hyperphantasia, a condition in which she was able to conjure highly detailed mental imagery. Not only did she envision the detailed mechanical solutions that led to her inventions, she also saw colorful accompaniment to various forms of music and sound. This rare ability enabled Henry to invent, patent, and in some cases, manufacture and sell over 40 inventions during her lifetime. This selection succinctly recognizes a woman in the STEM field during the early 20th century, in an arena otherwise dominated by male figures. The illustrations depict accurate clothing and settings to the era done in vibrant, almost neon colors to breathe life into such old-fashioned depictions. Color choices emphasize Henry's "otherness" in her dull surroundings, and especially highlight depictions of her literally seeing music in the air. VERDICT An excellent introduction to the life of a woman in the sciences during a time when such interests were discouraged.-Jennifer LaBurre

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