I enjoyed this book and think it would be a fun book to use to teach young children about Thomas Edison and his inventions. The language and illustrations that are used throughout the book are easy enough for young readers to understand, while still keeping them interested and engaged. The book teaches children about the historical relevance of Thomas Edison, while also teaching them about the importance of inventing. ( )

The book tells of a small boy that had a mind and imagination for a better future. Thomas Edison was called confused or stupid by a school teacher at a school that the Edison family could barely afford, so Thomas's mother began teaching him at home but what his mother didn't know was that he was working hard to learn as much as he could on his own by observing, as well as, reading. Thomas had the drive for more knowledge and more pay so he held jobs from a railroad "news butch", writing for a small publication that he came up with on his own, a telegraph operator, fixing machines to inventing machines, things that the world didn't know that they needed yet. IN Thomas Edisons life he had over 1,000 patents.

I can relate to this story because for Thomas Edison, it was never an option to settle. Edison always wanted more, from learning to making money to inventing, he always wanted to up himself and in some of the some aspects I am like that. I have always wanted more to better my life and now to better my daughters life. If someone just stops looking to improve themselves then eventually that will be standing in the same place they have always been while everyone around them have improved and moved one.

I would relate this to my kids by challenging them to invent something that they think that everyone needs to make their life better, and once everyone had their invention done, come together and show how it works. The challenge opens the door for group discussions and after all inventions are shown to opens the door for conversations on improvements and better ideas. I would explain to them, never stop thinking and trying new things. Explain that some may laugh but those are usually the same people who never do anything or risk anything in their lives.

I was very impressed by this book, though I wasn't overly impressed with its subject. True, he was a hard worker and very dedicated to his cause, but at the same time it seems that he lacked the interpersonal skills that would have made him a tolerable companion in life. It doesn't take anything from his accomplishments, or the book for that matter, but it does give a reader something to be slightly disappointed about in Edison. However, this book has none of these flaws. It's wonderful, beginning to the end. ( )

Good, simple introduction to Thomas Edison through a portrait of his childhood. ( )

A Wizard from the Start, The Incredible Boyhood and Amazing Inventions of Thomas Edison is a juvenile Biography of one of America’s greatest inventors. The story tells of his simple beginnings and his incredibly inquisitive mind. Thomas was a brilliant boy, but did not do well in school, because he was always daydreaming about inventions. His mother home schooled him, enabling him to pursue other avenues. He was an entrepreneur from a young age. By twelve yeas of age, he worked fourteen hours a day on a train car, selling newspapers and cigars. He also printed his own newspaper, The Herald, which became popular.
Tom was very interested in the telegraph, and began training to use it. He rescued the young son of the telegraph operator from being run over by a train, and the father trained him out of gratitude. Tom studied eighteen hours a day, and was soon hired to run his own telegraph office.
The book also talks about some of his other inventions, the most memorable being the light bulb.
Thomas Edison was a great man who started out as hardworking young man. His story is to be emulated. It is great for young children to learn about his many accomplishments that he achieved through study and drive.
The book is for younger children. It is written and illustrated by Don Brown. I would recommend it to any child, but especially to those who do not seem to connect with school. It is a great way for them to see that with a bit of perseverance, they too can accomplish something great! Three Stars.