Description: A captivating picture book biography of determined innovator Dr. Robert B. Irwin, who invented the audiobook and revolutionized the way stories are shared, opening the door for people of all abilities to become readers.
Robert Benjamin Irwin loves to learn and explore. But when he's five, his eyes grow red and painful from fever, and he loses his sight. Since he can no longer see, Robert focuses instead on what he can do: discovering new ways to learn and experience the world through sound. As he grows up, Robert learns to read books written in Braille, a system of raised dots that can be read with fingers. But as much as he loves stories, he finds finger-reading Braille slow and difficult. He wishes he could listen to a story like he listens to the birds. So, with a team of audio engineers, Robert sets out to make it happen--and revolutionizes reading for people around the world.Brief description: Jenny Lacika is a children's writer from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She's the author of Talking Books: Audiobook Inventor Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way to Read. As a chronically ill Chicana and graduate of MIT, her work often explores themes relating to STEM education, disability and accessibility, and Chicanx culture and history. She lives in her hometown with her husband and two kids. Visit Jenny online at JennyLacika.com.
Review Quotes: "Makes a lesser-known historical figure relatable by focusing on Irwin's childhood and professional journey, weaving together his drive and the stepping stones to his achievements, as well as the achievements themselves. Fortson's digitally rendered images in mostly pastel colors with fine lines are further textured with scanned embroidered elements, and the stitches bring a satisfying trompe l'oeil physicality to a book about words' ability to leave the printed page."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books