Review for copy of hardcover book.
This is an informative juvenile picture book biography celebrating the accomplishments of Lillian Gilbreath, the mother in the true story Cheaper by the Dozen. As a homemaker with 11 children, she applied her learning and creativity as an electrical engineer and psychologist to make home and commercial enterprises function more efficiently. By necessity she became a working mother in the workforce. Some of her innovations we still use today, but I don't want to spoil the discovery.
The writing is staighforward and clear. The illustrations make this a beautful book. ( )

Note: I received a digital galley through NetGalley. ( )

This is a really interesting book! I would definitely share it with children. I loved how it's both informative and fun to read at the same time. The illustrations were also very captivating, and combined with the writing style, the book was amazing!! :) ( )

SPIC-AND-SPAN!: LILLIAN GILBERT’S WONDER KITCHEN by Monica Kulling tells the inspiring true story of an ingenious woman who used creativity and perseverance to succeed. From factory assembly lines to kitchen layouts, Lillian Gilbreth spent her life looking for ways to make everyday tasks more efficient. The mother of eleven children, she applied what she learned at home to inventions and ideas that everyone could use.

Monica Kulling’s narrative skillfully weaves useful facts into a fascinating story, while David Parkins’ appealing illustrations match perfectly with the tone of this informational reading experience.

SPIC-AND-SPAN is Monica Kulling’s latest addition to her popular “Great Idea” series featuring the lives of inventors and their inventions. Use the books in a literature circle focusing on informational reading, biography, and inventions.

Unfortunately, children aren’t likely to pick up this book on their own. Teachers librarians will need to think of creative ways to market SPIC-AND-SPAN with children. Consider ways to connect the book with other science and engineering books. Or, focus on the biographical elements and connect them with other books about people. This would be a wonderful book to feature during Women’s History Month. Build a display focusing on woman engineers.

There are some excellent websites focusing on the life of Lillian Gilbreth. Develop an activity that asks students to compare the book to information they find on the web about this exceptional woman. Talk to children about comparing three different sources of information.

Download a Teacher’s Guide for the book at https://tundrabooks.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/spic-and-span_guide.pdf.

Published in 2014 by Tundra Books. The publisher provided a print copy for this review. ( )

Definitely a wonderful entry in the Great Idea Series! Spic-and-Span is a brief illustrated biography of Lillian Gilbreth, mother of 11, and wife to Frank, a pioneer in motion-study and work efficiency. Lillian assisted Frank in his research and studies, but upon his untimely death, she was faced with trying to raise her large brood and find a job. Lillian's inventions for making cooking in the kitchen more time-saving and orderly are depicted near the end of the book. A nice biography for the 1st-3rd grade readers. ( )