This is the fourth book in Tundra's Great Idea series. It's the story of Elisha Otis, the man who invented and installed his first successful passenger elevator in a five-storey department store in New York City. Author Monica Kulling brings this inventor to life from his humble beginnings as a boy on a farm in Vermont to a man who made use of his entrepreneurial skills and settled in New York.

My son and I enjoyed this book, with the message that one should not give up on his ideas even when others don't respond to them. Elisha had good ideas and spent time mulling over finding solutions for what he thought were situations or problems that could be solved or changed for the better. He comes across as someone whose mind was always on the go.

The cartoon illustrations by David Parkins are funny, with different expressions clearly depicted on the characters' faces, sometimes using exaggeration. They also brought to life the clothes and working places of the early 19^th century. My son thought they were cool and we spent time looking at all the faces. This is a great series to have in a school or personal library as a good way to introduce history to young readers.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura and Son 

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