4.5 of 5 🌟 Entertainment mashed with science

Nikola Tesla was born in the Austrian Empire on the territory of nowadays Croatia, although he was Serbian (yes, European history is complicated!). He moved to the United States in the pursuit of his inventor’s career. The most brilliant of Nikola’s inventions we’re still using till this day — alternating current.

‘Bright Dreams’ is showing Tesla’s life from his childhood, through early career days to the pick of his fame and what came afterward. The book is composed of two synergic parts — Nikola Tesla life story and side notes with explanations of scientific facts used in the story. The work is heavily illustrated with plenty of details and real-life schemas and images of Tesla’s inventions. This short read gives lots of insights and facts about the inventor's life and legacy.

I’m not sure what age is this book targeted for, a story plot is quite simple and easy to read, and extended glossary is more detailed and written in a dry manner. I understand that as a memo for the reading parent who then can explain it to the little reader with the help of highly detailed illustrations. Although I like how precise schemas and inventions’ images are, I prefer more vivid and cheerful illustrations over the Victorian-like style used in the book.

Overall, ‘Bright Dreams’ is a perfect entry-level science book for every inventor-to-be and absolutely must-read for juvenile Tesla’s fans.

*Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Bright Dreams: The Brilliant Ideas of Nikola Tesala by Tracy Dockray is an interesting biography of Tesla, who loved solving equations and figuring things out on his own. His brother passed away and Nikola missed him horribly. While navigating his life without his brother, he found books appealing. He was often found in his room reading beyond bedtime. Tesla's father wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become a priest, but Tesla wanted to go to engineering school. Luckily, his father allowed it and Tesla went on to create the alternator, generator, and had many other patents.

The format of this picture book is beyond amazing! Throughout the pages, the reader learns more about Nikola Tesla, but also learns the science behind it in sidebar science explanations. Excellent approach to give knowledge of Tesla, but also science. I highly recommend this book and will be adding it to my classroom! #NetGalley #BrightdreamsthebrilliantideasofNikolaTesla #engineering #inventors #nonfictionpicturebooks #bookrecommendations #teachers

This picture book tells the story of Nicola Tesla and his many contributions to understanding electricity and how it works. The book contains both color and black and white illustrations to accompany the text. Sidebar segments provide additional explanations of science concepts. The glossary defines science terms that may be new to young readers. Finally, notes at the end exemplify additional information about the unusual life and habits of this inventor. Young readers who are interested in science and biographies will enjoy this "illuminating" book about a person who was passionate about his inventions and his dreams.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone Editions for this free advance copy in return for an honest review. A very well done book. It is for ages 8-11, and is a really good story of the early years of Nikola Tesla filled with difficulties, challenges and successes. I enjoyed the illustrations and was particularly impressed with the story boxes of certain items, such as atoms, lightning, engineering and his early travels, the book also gives us a timeline of Tesla's life. It skips over a lot of his later life issues, but that is not really needed in this book, because the book is about his dreams. I give this a hearty THUMBS UP!! Definitely a book you should encourage your children to read, or to read to them.

The book narrates the life, struggles and achievements of Nicola Tesla, one of the greatest physicists who ever walked on this planet. Yet, he remains largely an unsung hero. Ask anyone down the road, and most likely they have heard of Edison. But Tesla? Nope. This is in spite of the fact that the world would not be what it is today had this man not been there. But I am perhaps underestimating him. It is not his existence or his work that makes him outstanding. Of course, you might argue that if not him then somebody else would have invented the alternating current. But if you just throw a cursory glance at what he went through, what he was made to go through, how he persevered, struggled, fought, then all his heroism shines in full glory — something that would definitely put the brightest stars to shame. No, I am not exaggerating. Honestly speaking, I cannot show similar endurance to so much hostility.

The first impression I formed of the book was that it was written by a science writer or educator with help from an illustrator. I was wrong. All the work — description, narration, and illustration — everything is done by artist Tracy Dockray. This seemingly simple act itself deserves heavy applause. It must have definitely involved reading and browsing a lot, and talking to several people before such a creative piece of work could be brought out. It might have been easier for a scientist, but the extra trouble taken by an artist itself shows her concern and appreciation of the physicist and science in general.

As you might have already guessed, the book is made up of graphical illustrations in bright colours, with text presented in the form of comic strip. But note that there are neither silly comic characters nor caricatures. All figures are graphical illustrations which would appeal to children, especially those in the age group 8 – 11 years.

Though the length of the book is very short at 32 pages, the time your children take to go through it depends on how they make use of it. They may finish it within half an hour, or may be over several days. However, I would suggest that instead of giving it to your children to read, it would be better if you sit together with your children, turning pages, reading, narrating and explaining things to them. First the story part — how Nicola got electric shock, what was the world like before he was born and so on. Children would keep asking questions and doubts, especially about the technical terms. These could be explained with the help of the side notes — what is direct current, what is alternating current, who was Edison and so on. The narration is sometimes poetic, and these would help in imparting real life lessons to your children. At the end of the book you will find a glossary of selected scientific terms, a chronological timeline of Tesla’s life, bibliography and resources for further reading.

I could not find any flaws. Though it does not mention or promise anything of the sort, in all sincerity I suggest several other scientist biographies in the same style to follow this book. Very good work.

A well done biography of Nikla Tesla with great illustrations. I definitely recommend this book for kids and adults.

This is a biography picture book on Nikola Tesla. I actually found it fascinating. Nikola was a very interesting genius. I didn't realize the connections he had to Edison. I really liked having the glossary, author's note and timeline in the back. This would be a great resource for students doing a paper on Tesla or just to get information on his.

Bright Dreams: The Brilliant Ideas of Nikola Tesla is a picture book biography about a man who I knew very little about before reading this book. I appreciate how the book includes both the positive and negative parts of his background. I also liked that it included scientific vocabulary and explanations on each page. While a lot of this information would go over the heads of my younger students, I am interested in seeing how I could use this with my 5th-8th grade kids. I also think I would put it into the hands of high school students who happen to be fascinated by engineering or even cars.

This is a very interesting and well written book about Nikola Tesla. It has excellent illustrations and did you know facts about Tesla's inventions. This book takes you back through time, starting with Tesla's childhood. It will teach you something new with every page you turn.

Bright Dreams - The Brilliant Ideas of Nikola Tesla is a great simplified biography for children 8 to 11. It shows the brilliant mind and innovative thinking he had since he was a young man, including a few of his early experiments. It provides readers with the ups and downs of his life and shows how he persevered even during the toughest of times.

The illustrations go remarkably well with the text and the sidebar information gives very helpful and educational information on electricity and engineering.

This is a good book for a child 8 – 11 wanting to know more about Tesla, electricity, engineering, or experiments. It helps get those little minds thinking more about science and technology.

Great information about not only Nikola Tesla, but engineering and electricity as well. The illustrations were perfectly matched for the text, and I liked the fact that there were side panels with further information on each page.

Nikola Tesla’s name and accomplishments have come into the spotlight recently. Though he was a brilliant inventor, he was not always taken seriously during his life, and people didn’t know what he could do.

Bright Dreams shares a short account of Tesla, from his birth through his development of AC power. The book is geared for children, and is easy for them to understand. Words that may be new for them are explained in side notes and a glossary. Colorful illustrations show what the text is saying and help young readers see the ideas of the book.

Technology and engineering are important fields today, and this book can give children information about what can be done in these fields. It may even help some of them get started towards a career.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was an excellent introduction to the life of Tesla, suitable for children. I love the illustrations, they really bring the story to life. I like the fact that the author hasn’t glossed over the difficulties that Tesla faced, or simplified the vocabulary. Important terms are explained in the main part of the book, and there is also a glossary at the back (along with suggested places to find more information). Whilst totally suitable for children, this book paints a more realistic portrait of an inventor than most. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone with children who are interested in science or historical figures.

I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

I have read a few children's biographies of Tesla, but this was the first one that showed that sometimes he did win, and towards the end, he just lost. Very sad story of a brilliant mind, but interesting that, as this book claims, that it all started with him discovering and wondering about static electricity.

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I didn't know he teamed up with Westinghouse, after he got burned by Edison.

Not quite a picture book, or even a graphic novel. Not quite for young children. Not quite sure how to classify it, other than it is an interesting look at an interesting life.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This book is a great introduction to Tesla. It tells his story of ups and downs and the fight with Edison. It would be a good read for older kids working on biographies or science projects.

I have read few other books about Tesla.
Everytime I read about him, I am amazed by his raw talent.
He achieved big feats but still could not reap benefits due to his simplicity and simple nature.
He gave away royalties to save his friends business.
This graphic novel describes his life from childhood and covers all major events in his life.
Writing is suitable for kids a above 8 years age.
Artwork is very good and explains life of Tesla very clearly and in an enjoyable way.
Few scientific facts are also explained in simplified way but are not boring or academic.
A wonderful read to know about pioneers of 20 th century who changed route of mankind's progress for better.
A perfect gift for science loving kids.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.

This was a great book for young readers who want to know more of electricity and the man who invented the ways we use it. Nikola Tesla recognized the limits of direct current and spent much of his time trying to figure out how to work around this problem. He came up with alternating current which is the means used to get electricity into our homes. He was not always successful and died in poverty.

I do not agree with giving dead people diagnosis of today when that may change in the future. So Tesla liked to be alone with the pigeons. I am sure lots of high strung, intelligent people would prefer pigeons to people as pigeons are not cruel.

Bright Dreams is a children's graphic book. It tells the story of one of the greatest and unfortunately most overlooked inventors. The story follows his early years and adult life, and it depicts his struggles to prove that AC electricity is the future.

Illustrations are different but done nicely. There are sidenotes with explanations of difficult words.

I would say that it is a bit too complicated for younger children. Tesla's achievements are complex. I enjoyed this book, and I would say some older children would appreciate it, too.

This book is a brilliantly illustrated biography of Nikola Tesla. It contains biographical information written in an engaging and accessible way for the suggested age 8 to 11 audience, plus sidebar explanations of scientific concepts. It touches on values such as perseverance and making contributions for the sake of making lives easier, whether lucrative or not, illustrated by the hardships in Tesla's life. It contains all the back matter that the common core curriculum suggests, a glossary, a timeline, a select bibliography, further reading and related internet sites. I especially enjoyed the way the author mentioned the World's Fairs in the story. This would make a good companion to The Fantastic Ferris Wheel by Betsy Harvey Kraft.

This well-designed book clearly explains the brilliant, but flawed career of Nikola Tesla—his inventive mind, his clashes with Thomas Edison, his work with George Westinghouse, and his difficult last years. This is a good introduction to Tesla’s work on alternating current.