The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring
Sale price
$1766
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016 · Est. 6 min read-aloud

The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring

Written and illustrated by Gilbert Ford

A fallen spring sparks a playful revolution.

4.1 Goodreads · 512 ratings
32 pages· 685 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud· AD880L
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Bookroo's summary

When a spring tumbles from Richard James's desk, it ignites his imagination. With his wife Betty, he transforms this simple coil into the Slinky, a toy that captures hearts and becomes a cultural icon. Discover the journey from a curious accident to a beloved plaything, and the creativity that turned a mundane object into a timeless treasure. What makes a simple spring so captivating? Uncover the story behind the Slinky's rise to fame and the determination that made it a household name.

From the publisher

With magnificent dioramic illustrations, Gilbert Ford captures the joy, creativity, and determination behind the invention of an iconic, one-of-a-kind toy: the Slinky!

One day, a spring fell from the desk of Richard James, an engineer and a dreamer. Its coils took a walk…and so did Richard’s imagination. He knew right away that he had stumbled onto something marvelous.

With the help of his wife, Betty, Richard took this ordinary spring and turned it into a plaything. But it wasn’t just any old trinket—it was a Slinky, and it would become one of the most popular toys in American history.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Words
685
Reading age
4–8
Audience
Picture
Lexile
AD880L
Themes & topics
The author & illustrator

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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4.2
F&P level
~U
AR points
0.5
AR interest level
LG
AR quiz
187408
Publication
Published
September 13, 2016
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Text details
The text for this book was set in Neutra
Illustration details
The illustrations for this book were drawn and colored digitally and then printed, assembled with found objects into dioramas, and photographed.
Identifiers
ISBN
9781481450652
LCCN
2015015309
OCLC
958679331

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