I am Albert Einstein by Brad Meltzer. Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. Ordinary People Change the World series. Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Group, September 16, 2014. Review based on uncorrected proof.

Recommended for ages 5-8.

The latest title in this fun and engaging biography series for young children, Meltzer turns his attention to Albert Einstein and explores the obstacles Einstein overcame to become one of the world’s greatest scientists.

Because Einstein thought in pictures, he had difficulty learning how to speak and was thought to be “dopey.” Instead of playing with the other children, young Albert prefered to do quieter things that allowed him to think. The gift of a compass fascinated him. The more he thought about it the more he wondered “why did the universe behave the way it did?” Later, a geometry book led to advanced math which led to his study of calculus at the age of 15.

When he was 28, he came up with a concept that linked motion and gravity and worked on it for eight more years.  While Meltzer is referring to Einstein's Theory of Gravitation, he explains the concept in kid-friendly words and Eliopoulous’s comical illustration brings further clarity.

Read my full review at Good Reads with Ronna.