Mr. Ferris and His Wheel
Published on 23. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
40 pages
978-0-06-345203-9 (ISBN)
Description
Science, history, and engineering combine in this uplifting nonfiction picture book about the invention of the world's most iconic amusement park ride, the Ferris wheel. Now available in paperback!
Capturing an engineer's creative vision and mind for detail, this fully illustrated picture book biography sheds light on how the American inventor George Ferris defied gravity and seemingly impossible odds to invent the world's most iconic amusement park attraction, the Ferris wheel.
A fun, fact-filled text by Kathryn Gibbs Davis combines with Gilbert Ford's dazzling full-color illustrations to transport readers to the 1893 World's Fair, where George Ferris and his big, wonderful wheel lifted passengers to the skies for the first time.
Capturing an engineer's creative vision and mind for detail, this fully illustrated picture book biography sheds light on how the American inventor George Ferris defied gravity and seemingly impossible odds to invent the world's most iconic amusement park attraction, the Ferris wheel.
A fun, fact-filled text by Kathryn Gibbs Davis combines with Gilbert Ford's dazzling full-color illustrations to transport readers to the 1893 World's Fair, where George Ferris and his big, wonderful wheel lifted passengers to the skies for the first time.
Reviews / Votes
"The modernist look, inherently interesting topic, and strong documentation...make this title a positive addition." - School Library Journal"Kids who take ferris wheels for granted should find this history eye-opening." - Kirkus Reviews
"Davis's picture-book account of the Ferris Wheel construction does a first-rate job of capturing the many risks-to civic pride, financial success, and public safety-that attached to the first iteration of what most readers have already enjoyed as a local carnival attraction." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Davis delivers a tense and satisfying underdog story, while Ford creates a stylized 19th-century landscape." - Publishers Weekly
"[An] informative and entertaining account." - Wall Street Journal
"Davis' picture-book bio soars, inspires, and keeps (the pages) ever turning" - Booklist (starred review)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: Preschool, Interest Age: From 4 to 7 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 252 mm
Width: 254 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight
204 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-345203-9 (9780063452039)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Kathryn Gibbs Davis has a gift for combining history and storytelling in a manner that relates to readers of many ages. Her Wackiest White House Pet earned the Parents Gold Choice Award and was read aloud by former First Lady Barbara Bush during a nationally televised event at the presidential library. Kathryn is an active member of the Children's Literature Network. Visit gibbsdavis.com. Gilbert Ford was born into a family of photographers. Instead of taking up the camera, he moved to New York to attend the prestigious Pratt Institute. His illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, newspapers, toys, billboards and advertisements.
www.gilbertford.com
Twitter: @gilbertford
Instagram: @gilbertford777
www.gilbertford.com
Twitter: @gilbertford
Instagram: @gilbertford777