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The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box

The Story of Video Game Inventor Ralph Baer
By Marcie Wessels
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box tells the inspiring story of Ralph Baer, the inventive mind behind the first home video game system. This picture-book biography explores how Baer, who fled Nazi Germany as a child, used wartime technology to transform the television into an interactive gaming device called the Odyssey, laying the groundwork for modern consoles like Wii and PlayStation.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for children aged 6 and above, especially young readers fascinated by video games and invention. This book offers an engaging introduction to both history and technology.

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In this picture book biography, kids will learn all about Ralph Baer—an inventor who created the first home video game system!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Age range 6+

Obsessed with Wii, Nintendo, X-Box, and PlayStation? Meet the inventor whose work made them all possible: Ralph Baer, creator of the first home video game system!

Today, the video game industry keeps growing, with ever more platforms available to fans. But how did the very first system come about? This picture-book biography of Ralph Baer, whose family fled Nazi Germany for the US, introduces kids to a great inventor and the birth of the first home console.

Using wartime technology, Baer thought outside the box and transformed the television into a vehicle for gaming; Baer's invention, the Odyssey, is a precursor to the Atari gaming system. Today, interactive systems like Wii and PlayStation are descendants of Ralph's innovative 'Brown Box,' making this award-winning inventor the true 'Father of Video Games.'

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781454932598

Publisher: Union Square & Co.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 12 May 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Union Square Kids

Illustration: all in color

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Beatriz Castro

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 224.0mm

Height: 282.0mm

Weight: 500g

Collections

Children's Books Children’s & Teenage Non-Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Marcie Wessels

About the Author

Marcie Wessels is the author of Pirate's Lullaby: Mutiny at Bedtime. She has a PhD in Latin American Literature from Tulane University. Previously she taught Spanish Language and Literature at the University of San Diego. She lives in San Diego, CA.

Beatriz Castro born in Logroo, La Rioja, Spain. After graduating from the School of Arts in Logroo in 2008, she embarked on a career as a professional illustrator. Her art has appeared on covers and in books produced by international publishers. Beatriz lives in her native town with her family.

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