• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant scientists who ever lived. The theories that he formulated about time, light and gravity have changed how we look at the world, and resulted in many new inventions. But did you know that he was so absent-minded that he once forgot where he lived? Or that, even though he was an advocate of world peace, his work led to the creation of the atom bomb?

Using photographs, maps, quotes, letters and drawings, this biography in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series introduces young readers to Albert Einstein. Also included are a timeline of his life and a list of places to visit to learn more about one of history's greatest thinkers.

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

• Short-listed, Red Cedar Book Award
• Short-listed, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award
• Short-listed, Silver Birch Award, Ontario Library Association
• Short-listed, Information Book Award, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada
• Short-listed, Tiny Torgi Literary Award, Audio category , CNIB Library for the Blind
• Winner, Book of the Year - Bronze Medal, ForeWord Magazine
• Short-listed, Science in Society Book Award, Canadian Science Writers' Association
• Winner, Best Books List, Science Books and Film
• Winner, Best Bets, Ontario Library Association

This introduction to the life of Einstein is as informative as it is appealing.

Booklist

The lively mix of text, sidebars, photographs, newspaper excerpts, equations, and Einstein's handwritten notes adds up to a format inviting browsing and offering much information to closer readers.

Kirkus Review

Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius is a superb juvenile biography that blends clear text with scrapbook like graphics. It will capture the imagination of elementary and middle school readers.

Science Scope

[This book] provides a wonderful glimpse into the genius and charm of the beloved scientist, Albert Einstein. This is a story suitable for a wide range of student readers that illuminates not only biographical data about his life, but reveals to the reader the human side of this venerable icon of scientific knowledge.

Science Books and Films

MacLeod's text is lively and direct, and she has a knack for making challenging terms like “theoretical physicist” and “electromagnetism” seem like child's play.

Quill and Quire