Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine

By Laurie Wallmark
Illustrated by April Chu

"A splendidly inspiring introduction to an unjustly overlooked woman. (author's note, timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)"
        -Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews 

"Wallmark makes her children's book debut with an inspiring and informative account of 19th-century mathematician Lovelace, who is considered to be the world's first computer programmer...Chu brings the same grace and precision to this book as she did to In a Village by the Sea, and her finely detailed pencilwork is ideally suited to the schematics, blueprints, and mechanical implements that surround Lovelace and Babbage as they work, not to mention the stately apparel and architecture of their Victorian surroundings. Ages 5–up. (Oct.)" 
        -Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

"Ada Byron Lovelace's fascinating, overlooked story is just beginning to get the recognition it deserves, and this handsome picture-book biography does it justice...In her debut picture book, Wallmark manages to create an atmosphere of suspense as she clearly lays out the steps Ada took to come up with the first algorithm that could allow a machine to solve complex math problems. The digital art by Chu (In a Village by the Sea) adds to the story's intellectually riveting quality, making Ada and her refined world look somehow both pre-Raphaelite and cool. 32 pp. Creston Books. $17.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8)
        -New York Times Book Review

   "A beautiful tribute to this female computer pioneer."
        -Starred Review, Booklist

   "This well-written and handsomely illustrated picture book biography details how Ada Lovelace Byron was able to write the first computer program more than 100 years before the first computer was built...An excellent addition to STEM collections." 
        -Starred Review, School Library Journal