Mister T.V.: The Story of John Logie Baird

PreS-Gr 2–Fulton (Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches) offers a wonderful nonfiction book about John Logie Baird, the inventor of the first television. Baird, who was born in 1888, grew up in Helensburgh, Scotland. Beginning with Baird’s unnamed childhood illness, the text quickly chronicles his many attempted inventions that preceded his successful transmission of a live image of a person. The writing flows easily, keeping the reading level directed at young readers but still providing enough information to share an exciting story. Baird’s resilience will appeal to children learning about the value of perseverance. Corrigan’s detailed illustrations depict a cast of predominantly white characters. A time line of inventions contributing to the first television and a time line of historic events paralleling Baird’s work are included. An author’s note discusses other prominent inventors working to build the television.