Rendering the numerous inventive adventures of Alexander Graham Bell’s life into one volume is a challenge, especially when writing for children. In Alexander Graham Bell: An Inventive Life experienced author Elizabeth MacLeod has done a good job of creating a 32-page book well suited for curious eight- to 12-year-olds.

Divided into 14 chapters of two pages each, the book outlines the Bell family move from Scotland to Brantford, Ontario, Bell’s career as a teacher of the deaf, his life with Mabel Hubbard and friendship with Helen Keller, his invention of the telephone, and his many other experiments. MacLeod sets out to tell the reader what Bell was really like and where he got his ideas. Bell knew that “discoveries and inventions arise from the observation of little things.” He also spent a lot of time “resting and thinking.” It’s important for children with inventive natures to know how this master inventor used such simple keys to unlock the mysteries of science.

The text is supported with delightful quotations, cartoons, and historic photographs. The all-important book design team has arranged a lot of material so that it complements the author’s clear style without overwhelming the reader. The book includes a two-page timeline summary, an index, and some Bell-related web site addresses.

Very up-to-date in approach, the book perhaps takes modernization one step too far in repeatedly referring to Bell as AGB. It seems unnecessary to use an annoying acronym rather than Bell, or Aleck, as his family called him. The author’s bright, clear style is aimed at developing readers. She uses comfortable, medium-length sentences and explains terms such as phonograph. Young readers will enjoy this good first look into the life of a legend.