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by Barry Wittenstein
Illustrated by Chris Hsu
Published February 13, 2018
Charlesbridge Publishing
Hardcover
Nonfiction Picture Book
Review copy provided by publisher
Goodreads Summary
Did you know Band-Aids were invented by accident?! And that they weren't mass-produced until the Boy Scouts gave their seal of approval?
1920s cotton buyer Earle Dickson worked for Johnson & Johnson and had a klutzy wife who often cut herself. The son of a doctor, Earle set out to create an easier way for her to bandage her injuries. Band-Aids were born, but Earle's bosses at the pharmaceutical giant weren't convinced, and it wasn't until the Boy Scouts of America tested Earle's prototype that this ubiquitous household staple was made available to the public. Soon Band-Aids were selling like hotcakes, and the rest is boo-boo history.
My Thoughts
I just love books that explain how ordinary, everyday items came to be. This book will change how you see these trusty Band-Aids. Can you believe they were once packaged in 18 inch strips that needed to be cut? It brought me back to my childhood when they talked about those little red strings that used to be inside the Band-Aid packages. I definitely remember those.
The story is told with a narrative and friendly tone that engages the reader. The illustrations are done using muted tones that give it an historical feel. I think kids will find it fascinating and will perhaps get them thinking about how other things were invented. I would recommend it for your nonfiction collection for grades 3-5.
Image from Charlebridge Publishing website https://www.charlesbridge.com/products/the-boo-boos-that-changed-the-world
About the Author
Barry Wittenstein has always been involved with writing, from contributing to his high school and college newspapers, to writing and performing poetry on stage in San Francisco, songwriting, sports writing, and now picture books.
He has worked at CBS Records, CBS News, and was a web editor and writer for Major League Baseball. He is now an elementary-school substitute teacher and children's author.
Barry particularly likes nonfiction, and profiling mostly unknown people and events whose stories have never been told in children’s literature. He is the author of Waiting for Pumpsie and The Boo-Boos That Changed the World. He lives in New York City. To learn more, visit his website: https://onedogwoof.com/ or on Twitter: @bwittbooks
He has worked at CBS Records, CBS News, and was a web editor and writer for Major League Baseball. He is now an elementary-school substitute teacher and children's author.
Barry particularly likes nonfiction, and profiling mostly unknown people and events whose stories have never been told in children’s literature. He is the author of Waiting for Pumpsie and The Boo-Boos That Changed the World. He lives in New York City. To learn more, visit his website: https://onedogwoof.com/ or on Twitter: @bwittbooks
Listen to the podcast where Barry Wittenstein talk about this book.
Praise for Boo Boos that Changed the World
★”Appealingly designed and illustrated, an engaging, fun story about the inspiration and inventor of that essential staple of home first aid.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
I'd totally forgotten about the red strings in Band-aids until you mentioned them. When did they disappear?
ReplyDeleteSeeing the same books reviewed in multiple blogs always get me excited. Can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteI guess we did read and enjoy the same book, Gigi. I really loved it, knowing all the ins and outs of making the bandaids accepted and used! It's a great book!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about this a long time ago. Can't wait to read it in an illustrated book.
ReplyDelete