It's a Snap!
George Eastman's First Photo
Check out a Podcast and an Interview about this book!
It's a Snap! is on Scholastic's Fun Finds for September 2009 and mentioned in American Tales for the Younger Set!
What a charming book! It's a Snap! George Eastman's First Photograph has all the qualities that a nonfiction book should have to introduce children to biographies: there's enough personal information about George Eastman to give readers insight into his life, there's appealing illustrations, and there's touches of humour. Given its picture book format, this title will appeal to younger readers more so than the typical nonfiction book with such appendages as a table of contents and an index.
Monica Kulling is a versatile and prolific author. Her books include easy-to-read biographies about such people as Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry Houdini, books about animals such as bears and horses, and stories. In It's a Snap! the text on each page is limited; it ranges from a few lines to several small paragraphs. Kulling writes succinctly yet gives sufficient information for a child to understand, for instance, the long and arduous process of picture taking over 100 years ago--for the photographer as well as the subjects.
Over time, and accompanied by his faithful dog, Eastman takes pictures as well as invents dry plates for taking photographs, rolls of film, and then a new camera with the film included. After many years, his easily portable Brownie camera was available for a mere dollar. His life as a millionaire and philanthropist is also explored. Appropriately, Kulling includes a few paragraphs under an end note titled “Get Snap Happy!” that outlines the latest innovation--digital cameras.
It's a Snap! is a little gem that will whet the appetite of young readers without their being overwhelmed with dry facts. Highly Recommended.
-- CM Magazine, University of Manitoba
Marilynne V. Black is a former B.C. elementary teacher-librarian who completed her Master of Arts in Children's Literature (UBC) in the spring of 2005.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Slavin's artwork sparkles with its usual animism, creating realistic but witty images, and Kulling's prose is crisp and accessible. Kulling frames this biography using traditional storybook elements.
-- Quill & Quire
Take a look at the latest review from The Tea Box!
Monica Kulling and Bill Slavin offer a unique look at the interesting life and many accomplishments of George Eastman. He left school at 14 to help support his family and became a banker, but he felt unfulfilled so took up photography as a hobby. It soon became his life's true passion and he found ways to improve the technology of the day. This book is a great way to introduce your children to the wonders of photography.
-- Shutterbug