Rumford, James. 2012. FROM THE GOOD
MOUNTAIN. New York, NY: Roaring Brook
Press. ISBN 9781596435421 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]
REVIEW
Rumford
has created a beautiful, informative book that explains the rise of inventions
and technology, all necessary for the creation of the Gutenberg Press. He presents
a bevy of information with clarity in a precise, step-by-step format supported
with illustrations, riddles and artfully created sidebars. From the making of
ink, the forging of printing types, the building of the press, and more are
explained through riddles and artwork reminiscent of medieval manuscripts and
illuminated letters.
This
book is more than a biography, reading like an informative history of how
things were made during a period of time when illiteracy was the norm. The
sequential nature in which the information is presented makes this book an
excellent companion towards the study of medieval times, inventions of a
world-altering item, and one man’s dedication to unite the populous through the
written word.
Rumford
concludes with an epilogue that summarizes the power of this invention as well
as a brief biography of Johannes Gutenberg. Of special note is a section of key
words that can be used to search for more information on the Internet. This
book is obviously a labor of love about a world altering item that we now take
for granted.
CONNECTIONS
This
is a wonderful resource for the study of world history, life during the fifteenth
century, exploring the art form of illuminated text as well as an excellent
text for the study of the sequential connections of one thing to another in the
development of the first movable type.
RELATED
BOOKS
National
Geographic. CONCISE HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND INVENTION. ISBN 9781426205446
Stifel,
Chana. THERE’S A RAT IN MY SOUP! ISBN 9781598453751
By Christine
J. Rayl
No comments:
Post a Comment