We Are All Inventors! by KATE PANKHURST is the perfect introduction to inventing for the next generation of curious creators, whoever they may be. Read on for a Q&A with the author.
What drove you to write your latest book We Are All Inventors!?
I came up with the idea for this book after reading about the Hero Arm, a bionic arm made by a company called Open Bionics. This incredible invention captured my imagination, not only because of the way its technology is changing lives, but because it was designed with the help of the best inventors out there – children! A group of young people, all with limb differences as well as creative minds were asked by Open Bionics what they wanted in a new bionic arm. Instead of wanting them to look like ‘real’ arms, they suggested making them colourful and cool – like superhero arms! This was a lightbulb moment for the designers. They worked together with the young inventors to create something that wasn’t just functional, but made wearers feel stylish, confident and unique!
One of the characters in this book, Ruby, is based on a young inventor from this process – Tilly Lockey. Tilly thought up a ‘freeze button’ function for the Hero Arm, for a firm grip on objects.
The Hero Arm was such a cool example of how all children are natural born creative thinkers I was inspired to make a book to inspire all the budding young inventors out there!
What’s your favourite fact you learned in the process of writing this book?
Did you know early humans evolved to be curious to survive? More curious humans had a greater chance of finding food and shelter! That’s why we all have the electric buzz of curiosity that makes your mind pop with questions and your imagination explode with ideas!
Who is one of your favourite female inventors? Why?
Ada Lovelace, the woman who first imagined that a computer programme would one day be possible – over 100 years before the first computer was actually built! And coming right up to the modern day the book also features Macinley Butson from Australia. Aged 17 Macinley created a flexible shield that helps protect cancer patients from radiation during treatment. Her invention, called the SMART Armour, is an amazing way to make treatments safer and more effective!
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is when inventors use nature as inspiration to solve problems. The biomimicry page in the book is my favourite spread – we see young inventor Lizzy exploring her garden which is full of biomimicry examples such as swim suits made using the same texture as shark scales (for maximum glide and speed in the water) and medical glue inspired by slug slime (used to stick wet and slippy insides of the body back together during surgery)!
What does it take to become an inventor?
The good news is anyone can become an inventor – the main thing to remember is not to give up if ideas don’t go according to plan on the first go. Take a step back, rethink and keep on trying! Your next INCREDIBLE idea could be just a turn of a notebook page away!
Is there an invention you wish existed?
I absolutely need the Book-Deadline-Smasher-O-Matic. For busy times creating books I could do with an invention to block out all distractions, make my kids dinner for me and maybe perform a back massage as I draw! Oh and maybe a really cool robot to bring me coffee in the morning, and also a remote-control fringe trimmer? The list is endless!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Pankhurst is the bestselling author and illustrator of the trailblazing and internationally successful ‘Fantastically Great Women’ books. Kate’s books have been translated into 22 languages and been shortlisted for many awards, including the NIBBIES award for Children’s Illustrated & Non-fiction. Most recently, her first book Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World has been adapted into an inspiring stage show, touring the UK in 2021 and 2022. Most days, Kate can be found illustrating and writing in her studio in Leeds with her spotty dog, Olive. She loves a good story, the funnier the better, and gets her best ideas by doodling in her sketchbook; because even quick, wonky drawings can spark ideas for amazing plots.
Read our Q&A with Kate Pankhurst about We Are All Astronauts!
0 Comments