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above: workers atop the in-progress construction of the gigantic "Ferris Wheel" -with the fairground buildings of the 1893 World's Fair (named "White City") seen far below.
The Fantastic Ferris Wheel -written by Betsy Harvey Kraft & illustrated by Steven Salerno published by Christy Ottaviano Books, 2015.
The true story of American engineer George Washington Ferris, who designed and built the very first giant observation wheel for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, which was nicknamed the "Ferris Wheel" by the mesmerized public.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
“The book's strength are the dramatic, mixed-media illustrations, which capture the enormity of Ferris's wheel and its spectacular appearance when lit up at night, that steal the show” -School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
"The engineering challenges, coupled with the harsh Chicago winter, lend drama to the text; Salerno's richly detailed compositions extend it... the artist's full-bleed pictures exhibit dizzying perspective and inventive composition, adding plenty of detail, including fairgoers in period dress... An absorbing read for young makers and dreamers. -Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
”Salerno’s precisely drafted illustrations give a solid sense of the era, including intricate renderings of Chicago architecture and the construction of the wheel, while Kraft creates a genuine suspense in the lead-up to its debut” -Publishers Weekly
A CBC NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
A CBC NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
An ILA Teacher's Choice Reading List Selection
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above: a detailed cropped view of the cover for The Fantastic Ferris Wheel.
see Steven’s complete list of published picture books to date
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
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above: the public gathers to watch construction of the strange invention of engineer George Ferris in 1893.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
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above: preliminary SKETCH: the opening scene of the story depicting young George Ferris pondering machines and the mechanics of wheels, and of his future as an engineer.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
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above: American engineer George Washington Ferris seen at his worktable.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
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above: cropped view of one of the illustrations... depicting a construction worker of 1893.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
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above: the crowds entering the fair grounds on opening day of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.
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above: detail view of the crowds entering the fair grounds on opening day of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
View a posting on Steven's blog on how the illustrations for this picture book were created.