Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender

The picture book biography of ingenious American inventor Leo Fender, creator of the world's most iconic Fender electric guitars. For readers who love Iggy Peck, Architect.

Leo Fender loved to thinker and tinker and take things apart and put them back together again. When he lost an eye in a childhood accident, he refused to think of himself as broken. With a new pair of magnifying glasses, Leo got back to doing what he loved, fixing machines big and small--even broken instruments.
His inventions--which included the Telecaster and the Stratocaster--would inspire the rock 'n' roll generation and go on to amplify the talents of legendary guitarists Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt, among others. Fender's brilliant engineering vision connected science and art forever.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Author: Michael Mahin
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Published: 09/07/2021
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 11.10h x 9.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781250251862
Audience: Ages 9-12

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2021
School Library Journal 07/01/2021 pg. 79
Publishers Weekly 07/05/2021
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2021
Booklist 08/01/2021 pg. 45

About the Author

Michael Mahin is the author of many award-winning picture book biographies, including Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters, which was an NPR Best Book of the Year, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, and a Parents' Choice Gold Award; as well as When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana, recipient of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor and Robert F. Sibert Honor, among others. He lives in San Diego, California.

Steven Salerno is the author-illustrator of many picture books, including Coco the Carrot and Tim's Goodbye, and has illustrated numerous other books, including Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented; The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris and The Kid from Diamond Street: The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton. Originally from Vermont, he is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and lives in New York City.