Mr. Ferris and His Wheel

I love a good non fiction picture book, especially one about a lesser known person or event.

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel is about George Ferris, and the Ferris wheel, invented by Ferris and named after him.

This picture book combines story, non-fiction tidbits, ink and watercolor illustrations, and an occasional quote to tell the story of how George Ferris dreamed up the idea for the Ferris wheel which was first introduced at the Worlds Fair in Chicago in 1893.

Kathryn Gibbs Davis goes through the steps that Ferris went to in order to make his dream become a reality.  The designing of his invention and his need for donations to cover the cost are explained in a way young readers can understand, and his race to complete the Ferris Wheel by the World's Fair adds some suspense to this picture book.

Many children have ridden a Ferris wheel, but even those who have not, can recognize the structure and appreciate the story of how this came to be an amusement park staple.

I've purchased this for my own library already, and am definitely adding it to my next school library order.  There are many students who will enjoy this story, and appreciate the fact that it is a non-fiction book about something they can relate to.