Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin is an exciting, informative and must-have book for children, especially of African-American descent. Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? is a beautifully illustrated children's book about inventions that we use every day. Children will learn that some things that we may take for granted - from the components in a cell phone, street lights, peanut butter, hair brush, lunch box, guitar, potato chips, and the ironing board to the Super Soaker water gun - were created by African-American men and women. Also African-American inventors may not have invented the following things initially, but they were responsible for improving on the operations of it: refrigerator, mop and lock. Children will not only be engaged in learning about these inventors in Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? but Patrice McLaurin has also provided a few games and exercises to help your child not only to dream, but create a platform for discovering their own invention.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot in our history books about the hundreds, if not thousands, of contributions that minorities and particularly African-Americans have given to this world. I was honored to read such a well designed, concise and power-packed book. I enjoyed how Patrice McLaurin cleverly told the story of the African-American contribution in Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? through a little boy just starting his day. Patrice McLaurin was able to not only provide children with knowledge, but also nuggets of history through the biographies of the inventors. These inventors not only had a dream; they dared to make their dream become a reality. There are so many wonders to be seen throughout the day that were made possible because of an inventor. Ask yourself, without these inventions how would the world be for you?