Book Review- Izzy Gizmo
Updated: Sep 17
Written by Pip Jones
Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Girls in Tech/STEAM is something the world is just wrapping its heads around. Why there are fewer women in tech is something beyond my understanding. But would I want to introduce those opportunities to my daughter, a 100 times yes!
This book goes beyond the realm of girls being nice, sweet, coy, accommodating, simple and all those niceties. Izzy is an inventor and most of her inventions seem to work in bizarre ways! They don't! Which leads to her frustration, second guessing herself and at some point giving up altogether.
It is at this point in life that she comes across an injured crow who can never fly again. Is that a challenge enough for the little inventor? How does she solve this problem? Does it work?
Izzy is the character we needed. S is at an age where there is immense focus on girls treading the narrow path of 'being girls'! The influences at school, at play weigh down and these external influences tend to distract from what we believe.
This came as a breath of fresh air, where the central character is not someone without faults. She makes mistakes, blunders even but with a little nudge she goes on and the persistence and resilience really bowled us over. The grandad was super lovable too.
The characters were fun, even the crow was a super interesting character! The illustrations are fun and quirky. We loved the book not because the central character is a girl. We loved it coz it was a child taking on big problems, failing though ultimately figuring it out. Definitely recommend for all kids.
Ideal for children aged 4+yrs
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