Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors

From forgotten innovators like Anna M. Mangin to well-known inventors like James West, this picture book is a celebration of Black history and inventors with a unique counting rhyme

One heater keeps a family warm / Sheltered from the winter storm.
Two phones bridge a thousand miles / Bringing laughter, joy, and smiles.

From traffic lights to ice cream scoopers to fire trucks, there are so many different ways that Black inventors changed history. Follow a bustling modern-day family as they get ready for a beloved family member’s 100th birthday. Woven into their activities are ten inventions that positively impact their daily lives as they prepare for the celebration.

With simple, rhyming text and charming art, Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors shines a light on forgotten pioneers, including Alice H. Parker, Garrett Morgan, Anna M. Mangin, Joseph Winters, Alfred L. Cralle, Sarah Boone, Jan Ernst Matzeliger, and Alexander Miles, as well as honoring celebrated inventors like James West, who developed the tiny microphone still used in cell phones today, and Granville T. Woods, who invented third rail technology for trains.

Dana Marie Miroballi is a speech-language pathologist and former teacher. She grew up in Germany, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan, and now lives in Chicago with her family. Miroballi began writing at an early age and is the author of If My Hair Had a Voice. Working in schools and becoming a parent inspired her to create books that celebrate cultural diversity and educate children about overlooked people and events in Black history. One of her favorite inventions is Alfred L. Cralle’s ice cream scooper because she enjoys hot fudge sundaes all year round. Sawyer Cloud is a self-taught artist from the island of Madagascar. She has illustrated more than 35 children’s books and is constantly looking for new stories to tell. Her long list of goals includes traveling around the world and writing her own books for children. Passionate and curious by nature, Cloud believes in the power of big dreams and loves discovering new things in life, such as the inventions in this book! One of her favorites is Sarah Boone’s improved ironing board because it makes her think about her mom, who never misses an ironing session every afternoon just before tea time.