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Clever Hans

The True Story of the Counting, Adding, and Time-Telling Horse

Author Kerri Kokias
Illustrated by Mike Lowery
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Hardcover
$17.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
9.88"W x 10.81"H x 0.34"D   | 15 oz | 24 per carton
On sale May 05, 2020 | 32 Pages | 9780525514985
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile 840L | Fountas & Pinnell Q
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This true story of the incredible horse whose smarts stumped all of Berlin and changed science reads like a fabulous STEM mystery.

Clever Hans was a horse who could do math problems, tell time, read, spell, and more . . . or could he?

Even after seeing Hans answer questions correctly, some people thought it must be a hoax. Scientists began to investigate. Eventually, one scientist had a groundbreaking "aha!" moment and realized Hans was clever in a way no one had even imagined.

Turns out Hans was so smart, he changed science!
"It all plays out as a rollicking science mystery . . . The text takes an unhurried, reportorial tone, while the thoughtful cartooning portrays Hans himself as downright adorable. Comics-style framing breaks the story into easy-to-grasp chunks, with diagrams, dialogue balloons, and handwritten asides (“Maybe this meant that Clever Hans was a PSYCHIC MIND READER!”) that punctuate, nudge, and tickle until the case is cracked—leaving readers feeling a little savvier about the world around them." -Publishers Weekly

”Kokias’ clear, accessible tone pairs well with Lowery’s cartoon style. The comically smiling horse invites readers in, and intermittent paneled frames help organize the flow of information and visually propel the storytelling arc. Clever, indeed.” –Kirkus 

"Kokias’ text is a model of lighthearted clarity, laying out how various people tested their theories on Hans’ performance. Lowery’s cartoons capture the quirkiness of the scientific breakthrough and even add some rudimentary German language lessons in the word-bubble translations in conversations and ads. This is much in the spirit of Meghan McCarthy picture books, and it similarly deftly balances information and cheerful goofiness." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Lowery’s one-dimensional cartoon illustrations are playful and bold . . .Budding horse fans, history fans, and science fans will all find something here to pique their interests.” –Booklist
Kerri Kokias View titles by Kerri Kokias
© Katrin Wiehle
Mike Lowery is a professor of illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design and a children's book illustrator. His works include The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas and the Doodle Adventures series. He lives with his wife and their daughter in Atlanta, Georgia. View titles by Mike Lowery

About

This true story of the incredible horse whose smarts stumped all of Berlin and changed science reads like a fabulous STEM mystery.

Clever Hans was a horse who could do math problems, tell time, read, spell, and more . . . or could he?

Even after seeing Hans answer questions correctly, some people thought it must be a hoax. Scientists began to investigate. Eventually, one scientist had a groundbreaking "aha!" moment and realized Hans was clever in a way no one had even imagined.

Turns out Hans was so smart, he changed science!

Praise

"It all plays out as a rollicking science mystery . . . The text takes an unhurried, reportorial tone, while the thoughtful cartooning portrays Hans himself as downright adorable. Comics-style framing breaks the story into easy-to-grasp chunks, with diagrams, dialogue balloons, and handwritten asides (“Maybe this meant that Clever Hans was a PSYCHIC MIND READER!”) that punctuate, nudge, and tickle until the case is cracked—leaving readers feeling a little savvier about the world around them." -Publishers Weekly

”Kokias’ clear, accessible tone pairs well with Lowery’s cartoon style. The comically smiling horse invites readers in, and intermittent paneled frames help organize the flow of information and visually propel the storytelling arc. Clever, indeed.” –Kirkus 

"Kokias’ text is a model of lighthearted clarity, laying out how various people tested their theories on Hans’ performance. Lowery’s cartoons capture the quirkiness of the scientific breakthrough and even add some rudimentary German language lessons in the word-bubble translations in conversations and ads. This is much in the spirit of Meghan McCarthy picture books, and it similarly deftly balances information and cheerful goofiness." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Lowery’s one-dimensional cartoon illustrations are playful and bold . . .Budding horse fans, history fans, and science fans will all find something here to pique their interests.” –Booklist

Author

Kerri Kokias View titles by Kerri Kokias
© Katrin Wiehle
Mike Lowery is a professor of illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design and a children's book illustrator. His works include The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas and the Doodle Adventures series. He lives with his wife and their daughter in Atlanta, Georgia. View titles by Mike Lowery

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