Izzy Gizmo

Izzy Gizmo is a young inventor who creates gadgets and contraptions in her workshop. Her grandfather supports her work, even when her inventions don't succeed as planned. When Izzy encounters an injured crow, she faces her biggest challenge yet. She must find a way to help the bird while learning to cope with frustration and setbacks. Through rhyming text and colorful illustrations, the story demonstrates themes of perseverance, creative problem-solving, and the value of never giving up. The book offers an empowering message about embracing mistakes as part of the learning process.

Readers appreciate the book's focus on perseverance, problem-solving, and the portrayal of a young Black female inventor. Parents note it encourages children, especially girls, to pursue STEM interests and not give up when facing challenges. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations receive frequent mentions in positive reviews. Multiple readers highlight how the story validates feelings of frustration while demonstrating constructive ways to overcome setbacks. Some readers find the rhyming scheme forced in places and note that younger children may struggle with some vocabulary words. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (300+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Sample review: "My 5-year-old daughter asks for this book regularly. She loves seeing a girl who looks like her building and creating things. The message about persistence really resonates." - Amazon reviewer "The rhythm is occasionally clunky but the message is worth it." - Goodreads reviewer

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty A girl persists through failed inventions to solve problems with her homemade machines.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires A child works through frustration to build an invention with help from her canine assistant.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty A young scientist conducts experiments to answer questions about the world around her.

What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada A child nurtures an idea from a small beginning into a world-changing creation.

Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished by Camille Andros A rabbit uses the scientific method to create space for her experiments in a crowded burrow.

🔧 Like Izzy Gizmo herself, author Pip Jones was inspired by her own grandfather, who taught her to be creative and inventive in solving problems 🦅 The book's central plot about helping an injured crow reflects a real need - wildlife rehabilitators regularly create prosthetics and assistive devices for injured birds ⚡ The character Izzy Gizmo embodies the growing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) movement in children's education 🎨 Illustrator Sara Ogilvie used a vibrant color palette and intricate mechanical details to bring Izzy's inventions to life, spending hours researching gadgets and contraptions 📚 The book spawned a popular sequel called "Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention," continuing Izzy's creative adventures and problem-solving journey