Grandpa, What Are Lasers?

About the Book

This is a fun story about two brothers who take a summer trip to Washington, D.C. They want Grandpa to answer a burning question about lasers. Grandpa engages Maxwell and Taylor into learning about an important event in his life as well as learning about “lasers” that proves to be exciting to the grandsons. Grandpa and Nana plan a fun and educational time for Maxwell and Taylor as they learn how lasers have made a tremendous impact on their lives as well as on the lives of everyone else.

About the Author

This is a simple yet poignant story based on key principles learned and used during her many years of teaching small children-All children are naturally curious. Their curiosity is persistent and demands to be fed. Moreover, it becomes the responsibility of the adults in their lives, be it family, teachers or the community, to channel this energy in productive yet engaging ways. As Grandpa subtly yet deliberately addresses his grandsons’ question “What are lasers?” the reader barely recognizes the powerful lessons that parallel Grandpa’s discovery of his own invention. No scientific concept is too difficult for children to begin to grasp! In a field that is under represented by minorities, this story clearly illustrates that allowing children to see “science” in its most natural, almost invisible state, children/students are able to embrace their natural curiosities, not shun them. Lastly, she tries to integrate a little history of the so often overlooked African American inventions and the pride it can evoke in all children, especially those young energetic males like Maxwell and Taylor whose role models do not have to be limited to sports figures but to people like President Obama, Charles Townes, and their very own grandfather! If we heed the simple lessons taught in this story, the much talked about “achievement gap” that so many African American males face may “scientifically” disappear!