Wood, Wire, Wings, Kirsten W. Larson
Wood, Wire, Wings, Kirsten W. Larson
List: $7.99 | Sale: $5.60
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Wood, Wire, Wings
Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane

Author: Kirsten W. Larson

Narrator: Libby McKnight

Unabridged: 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 04/11/2023


Synopsis

Problems always set Emma “Lilian” Todd’s mind soaring—even as a girl. Growing up during the golden age of invention and from a family of innovators, Lilian couldn’t hold strips of wire or bits of tin without tinkering. She turned toys and trash into useful inventions.

But when Lilian grew up and learned that inventing wasn’t considered women’s work, she decided on the next best thing. She got a job at the U.S. Patent Office typing up plans for brand-new inventions—and constructing each contraption in her mind. Soon, she engineered her own fantastic flying machines, testing and
tweaking her designs and overcoming each obstacle. Lilian found inspiration in nature and her many failures until her biggest dream finally took flight.

Science writer Kirsten W. Larson creatively captures in vivid detail the inventive, courageous, and independent Emma Lilian Todd, a true aviation pioneer.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carrie on November 14, 2019

I recently had the pleasure of reading an ARC of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane by Kirsten W. Larson. This biography swept me off my feet from the first line. “To Emma Lilian Todd, problems were like gusts of wind: they set her mind soaring.” I was fascinated by this story o......more

Goodreads review by Jolene on March 03, 2021

WOOD, WIRE, WINGS tells the story of Emma Lilian Todd. From the time she's little, it's obvious that Lilian will be an inventor like her grandfather. Thanks to a supportive mother, Lilian is always making things and taking things apart. But during Lilian's time (she was born 1865 and died in 1937),......more

Goodreads review by Isabella on November 12, 2019

A fantastic non-fiction picture book, about Emma Lilian Todd. This is the first I've heard of this amazing woman in history and I am inspired! "Wood, Wire, Wings" really embodies her spirit of invention and the growth mindset. Perfect for STEM education. the book also has an excellent back matter wh......more

Goodreads review by Margo on April 15, 2020

I can imagine using this attractive title about a little known female engineer for a women's history month program (author lives in Los Angeles area) or a STEM program, particularly aimed at girls.......more

Goodreads review by Erin on October 23, 2020

Who invented the plane? Too often we leave it at the Wright brothers, and (as we do with many inventors) we glorify the intrepid inventor-hero while blithely ignoring the help they had and the other people who contributed to the ongoing iterations. So in this case, Emma Lillian Todd didn’t invent th......more