The first picture book biography of the creator of the popular puzzle cube, ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE, debuts June 11, 2024 from author Kerry Aradhya, illustrator Kara Kramer, and publisher Peachtree!
"A solitary child, Erno Rubik grew up in post-World War II Hungary obsessed with puzzles, art, nature, and the underlying patterns and structures. He became a professor of art, architecture, and design, who was still fascinated with how objects work together, sometimes becoming greater than their components. In a quest to help his students understand three-dimensional objects and how they move—not to mention a desire to entertain himself—he fashioned a cube whose pieces twisted and turned without breaking, and unexpectedly invented the Rubik's Cube, the most popular puzzle in history, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024."
When I first saw this book cover, I was immediately hooked. Kara's art looks so effortlessly cool and current, yet nostalgic at the same time. And when I learned that this was the first picture book biography of Rubik, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the puzzle cube, I must give a big hand to Kerry. Impeccable timing! Whether you solved it, threw it, disassembled it, or even peeled the stickers off trying to "solve" it, the Rubik's cube is such a well-known toy that is part of childhood and beyond. Kirkus calls the book, "A whimsical tribute to the maker of the famous, frustrating, and absorbing puzzle." Learning about Rubik's obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind his clever invention will prove captivating to readers.
I know what you are thinking, this is the most obvious BOOK + GIFT combo ever...but just like a Rubik's Cube, there are many twists and turns and over 43 quintillion possible configurations...
Young Erno Rubik was curious about geometric shapes --- "How many ways could he fit them together?"
ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE by Kerry Aradhya and Kara Kramer
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And one more configuration...
Kerry has generously offered to give away a copy of ERNO RUBIK AND HIS MAGIC CUBE! Please go to my X (Twitter) to enter the giveaway and Instagram for an extra chance at winning this informative BOOK!
ICYMI
POP-UP PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Please help spread the word! Only 3 spots left in the POP-UP Party!
Do you know someone who debuted a picture book in 2023 or earlier? Do you know someone who has multiple picture books published? Ask them to come join the party! A BOOK + GIFT POP-UP Party! And a bonus to joining the POP-UP Party, you will also be featured in the BIG end-of-year holiday BOOK + GIFT list! Just in time for holiday shoppers to find the perfect books and gifts for children on their lists!
Last year's POP-UP Party was a blast! We had 10 creators join us and had multiple giveaways!
Just fill out the Google Doc to join! The BOOK + GIFT Pop-Up Party sign-up for non-debut creators is officially OPEN! (The form will close when we have 10 creators! )
Note: If you have already been featured on BOOK + GIFT (yay!) you are still eligible to join the Pop-Up Party so long as you submit a different book than what was featured on BOOK + GIFT previously.
MONTHLY BLOG FEATURE
If you are a 2024 debut Picture Book or debut Novel-in-Verse creator the Google Form is open to be featured on BOOK + GIFT! No need to wait until your debut month, you can fill out the form now! July and August debuts please don't delay! I'm eager to celebrate you during your Book Birthday month!
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