Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 5 to 7
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2004 ISBN: 978-0618492985
Albert Einstein was an odd child from the very beginning. He was in no hurry to talk - which greatly distressed his parents - and when he finally did begin to talk, he said the strangest things. He also had very singular ideas about learning. If he liked a subject, Albert would work very hard at it and excel. However, if he did not like a topic or subject, he would make no effort to learn at all. He was also quite different from the other children in his town, and because of this he tended to spend much of his time alone – which suited him very well.
When Albert was twelve years old his parents found him a tutor who encouraged Albert to study mathematics, and it soon became apparent that Albert had a unique way of looking at mathematical problems. It was not long before Albert was so advanced in his studies that the teacher could "no longer follow." No one guessed then how far Albert would go.
In this unique picture book biography Don Brown - who has written numerous fiction and non-fiction titles for children – shows his readers what Albert Einstein was like when he was young. The writing is both engaging and informative, and the illustrations beautifully capture Albert Einstein's singular life.
