Boardwalk Babies
In the late 19th century, there wasn’t much hope for premature babies—until Dr. Couney developed the incubator. The device was so new and strange, hospitals rejected it. So Dr. Couney set up a sideshow at Coney Island, taking care of the tiniest newborns as part of a display to convince the public that incubators worked. Thousands of babies grew into healthy children as Boardwalk Babies, including Dr. Couney’s own premature daughter. Many of those babies came back as adults to thank the doctor for his miracle cures. Science meets magic show in this fascinating true story.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
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978-1-939547-66-8
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$14.24 |
Author: Marissa Moss
Marissa Moss is the award-winning author-illustrator of more than 75 books, from picture books to middle-grade to graphic novels. She is best known for the Amelia’s Notebook series, which has sold millions of copies. She lives in California.
Illustrator: April Chu
April Chu has won awards for her gorgeous illustrations. She studied architecture and infuses that knowledge of detail and perspective into her art. Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrator’s Original Art show.
Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!
Boardwalk Babies
In the late 19th century, there wasn’t much hope for premature babies—until Dr. Couney developed the incubator. The device was so new and strange, hospitals rejected it. So Dr. Couney set up a sideshow at Coney Island, taking care of the tiniest newborns as part of a display to… View available downloads →
Awards
- Illinois Bluestem Award
- Cybils Nominee
Reviews
Booklist
“Moss . . . tells a story grounded in facts and full of human interest . . . With curving lines and warm colors, the illustrations create a genial tone while transporting viewers to a bygone era. An intriguing picture book.”—Booklist Online
The Horn Book Magazine
“In a remarkable true story, Moss introduces Dr. Martin Couney, a doctor with a flair for showmanship who used expositions and eventually the Coney Island Boardwalk to build public trust for a new idea that could save ‘doomed to die’ premature babies: ‘warming boxes,’ or incubators . . . Chu’s cartoony illustrations . . . have an old-timey charm full of detailed period dress and very appealing itty-bitty babies.”—Horn Book Magazine
School Library Journal
“Moss turns a little-known historical subject into a poignant and readable picture book. . . .The soft illustrations and the heartwarming approach make this story beautiful and relevant to all families.”—starred, School Library Journal
Publishers Weekly
Moss . . . surveys the use of premature infants as sideshow entertainment in this informative overview of pioneering pediatric history . . . this narrative nonfiction account will prove absorbing."—Publisher’s Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
“This smoothly written account of little-known events results in a heartwarming story that will help develop audience empathy. Appealing illustrations capture the period and ambiance nicely and depict winsome infants of different races and ethnicities. . . A thought-provoking telling of an unusual historical episode.”—Kirkus Reviews