Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender

Description

The picture book biography of ingenious American inventor Leo Fender, creator of the world's most iconic Fender electric guitars. For readers who love Iggy Peck, Architect. Leo Fender loved to thinker and tinker and take things apart and put them back together again. When he lost an eye in a childhood accident, he refused to think of himself as broken. With a new pair of magnifying glasses, Leo got back to doing what he loved, fixing machines big and small-even broken instruments. His inventions-which included the Telecaster and the Stratocaster-would inspire the rock 'n' roll generation and go on to amplify the talents of legendary guitarists Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt, among others. Fender's brilliant engineering vision connected science and art forever. Christy Ottaviano Books

Michael Mahin is the author of many award-winning picture book biographies, including Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters, which was an NPR Best Book of the Year, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, and a Junior Library Guild Selection; as well as When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana, recipient of the Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor and Robert F. Sibert Honor, among others. He lives in San Diego, California. michaelmahin.com Steven Salerno has illustrated more than thirty picture books, including Pass Go and Collect $200; The Fantastic Ferris Wheel; and Brothers At Bat, which made the New York Times Book Review's list of notable picture books. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, he lives in New York City. stevensalerno.com