An engaging biography based on the incredible true story of a Jewish refugee who pioneered home video games and launched a worldwide obsession.
Do you ever wonder how video gaming was invented? What came before your PlayStation or Xbox? This is the story of Ralph Baer, a refugee from Nazi Germany, who used his skills--and a lot of ingenuity and persistence--to make life a little more fun.
Television was new when Ralph returned from serving in World War II, but he didn't settle for watching TV. He knew it could be even more fun if you could play with it. He tinkered and tested, got help and rejected, but with perseverance and skill, he made his vision come true! This is the inspiring story of a fearless inventor who made TV video games a reality.
NOMINEE
| 2025 Illinois Reader's Choice - Bluestem Award
Kate Hannigan is the author of numerous children's books, including the middle-grade series The League of Secret Heroes, as well as the middle-grade novel The Detective's Assistant, which won the Golden Kite Award for best middle-grade fiction. Her debut picture book, A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights, received four starred reviews, and was praised as "excellent" by Kirkus Reviews. Her other titles include a graphic novel, History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire, as well as the chapter book series Cupcake Cousins. Kate lives with her family in Chicago.
Zachariah OHora is the prolific illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Wolfie the Bunny, which received four starred reviews and was praised by the Chicago Tribune as "pitch-perfect." He is also the author-illustrator of Stop Snoring Bernard!, which won the 2011 Society of Illustrators Founders Award and was the 2012 State of PA Dept of Ed One book, as well as Not Fits Nilson!, which received the PALA Carolyn W. Field Award, and was named the Huffington Post Best Children's Book of the Year, as well as a Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year and a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing. Zachariah's other titles include My Cousin Momo!, The Teacher's Pet, The Not So Quiet Library, and Niblet & Ralph. He lives in Narberth, PA, with his family.
An engaging biography based on the incredible true story of a Jewish refugee who pioneered home video games and launched a worldwide obsession.
Do you ever wonder how video gaming was invented? What came before your PlayStation or Xbox? This is the story of Ralph Baer, a refugee from Nazi Germany, who used his skills--and a lot of ingenuity and persistence--to make life a little more fun.
Television was new when Ralph returned from serving in World War II, but he didn't settle for watching TV. He knew it could be even more fun if you could play with it. He tinkered and tested, got help and rejected, but with perseverance and skill, he made his vision come true! This is the inspiring story of a fearless inventor who made TV video games a reality.
Awards
NOMINEE
| 2025 Illinois Reader's Choice - Bluestem Award
Author
Kate Hannigan is the author of numerous children's books, including the middle-grade series The League of Secret Heroes, as well as the middle-grade novel The Detective's Assistant, which won the Golden Kite Award for best middle-grade fiction. Her debut picture book, A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights, received four starred reviews, and was praised as "excellent" by Kirkus Reviews. Her other titles include a graphic novel, History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire, as well as the chapter book series Cupcake Cousins. Kate lives with her family in Chicago.
Zachariah OHora is the prolific illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Wolfie the Bunny, which received four starred reviews and was praised by the Chicago Tribune as "pitch-perfect." He is also the author-illustrator of Stop Snoring Bernard!, which won the 2011 Society of Illustrators Founders Award and was the 2012 State of PA Dept of Ed One book, as well as Not Fits Nilson!, which received the PALA Carolyn W. Field Award, and was named the Huffington Post Best Children's Book of the Year, as well as a Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year and a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing. Zachariah's other titles include My Cousin Momo!, The Teacher's Pet, The Not So Quiet Library, and Niblet & Ralph. He lives in Narberth, PA, with his family.
