This book tells the story of inventor Philo Farnsworth and how he invented television. As a child growing up in Utah and Idaho, Philo thought up inventions while working on the family’s farm and studied science magazines in his free time. He enjoyed reading about television, a still abstract concept that scientists were struggling to put into reality. Then one day while he plowed the fields, the idea of how to make television work struck teenaged Philo. When he was in his twenties, Philo found investors and set to work making his idea into a reality.

This straightforward, factual book gives children a brief biographical sketch of Philo Farnsworth and explains the lengthy progress of Philo’s innovative idea turning into the reality of television. The text is interspersed with numerous illustrations, mostly photographs highlighting key people and points. The book also contains a timeline of important events in Philo Farnsworth’s life, a glossary, a list of print and Web resources for additional information, and an index.

This book about Philo’s invention of the television would appeal most to children interested in science and, to a lesser extent, those interested in history. However, even when describing the mechanics of television, the book is accessible enough that even children not interested in science or history may want to read the back story behind TV. The Teen Who Invented Television also explores economic concepts related to innovation and the finances needed to put ideas into action.

I reviewed this book for EconKids. See the full review here: http://econkids.rutgers.edu/new-picture-books-in-2008-first-word-q-z/1987-2011-0... ( )