On a Beam of Light

June 1, 2014

Gr K-3-This imaginative rendition of the early life of Albert Einstein captures the wonder of a child who thinks about things in ways adults simply cannot fathom. Albert is an awkward youth who doesn't fit comfortably into conventional situations. His fascination with mysteries of physics lead him to imagine that his pedestrian life is linked to profound and universal forces. Even without the print version's illustrations, the audio version, narrated by Rich Orlow, manages to convey the magic of the scientist. There aren't other noteworthy biographies of Einstein for the younger set. This one is an honorable contribution.-Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 17, 2013
Berne (Manfish) and Radunsky (Hip Hop Dog) create an inspired tribute to Einstein, a man who "asked questions never asked before. Found answers never found before. And dreamed up ideas never dreamt before." The book moves briskly through Einstein's quiet, inquisitive childhood (a magnetic compass helped trigger his interest in the "mysteries in the world--hidden and silent, unknown and unseen") to his accomplishments as an adult. Radunsky's loose, hulking ink caricatures capture the gleam in Einstein's eye at every age. When Berne explains how Einstein helped prove the existence of atoms, Radunsky uses dots to underscore the idea in the accompanying image ("Even this book is made of atoms!" the scientist gleefully explains, breaking the fourth wall). Einstein's lifelong curiosity sings through every page, and Berne emphasizes that readers are heir to that same spirit of discovery. In the closing scene, Radunsky pictures a boy, girl--and dog!--wearing rather Einsteinian plaid suits, staring at a field of question marks with a familiar gleam in their eyes. Ages 6-9. Author's agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.