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Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016 · Est. 6 min read-aloud
The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring
Written & illustrated by Gilbert Ford
A fallen spring sparks a playful revolution.
4.1/5 Goodreads · 512 ratings
32 pages· 685 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
$18.99Save 7%
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
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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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Top contributors: Kathy Ellen Davis