Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube

K-Gr 3–In this picture book biography, Aradhya seamlessly introduces readers to the inventor of one of the most popular toys in history. Erno Rubik, born in Budapest in 1944, was a quiet child who loved to spend time with his blocks, puzzles, and shapes and spent endless hours imagining the possibilities of what their combinations could create. As an adult, Rubik studied art and architecture and became a teacher, all the while remaining curious about three-dimensional structures, particularly cubes. Many rounds of development followed, some of which featured rubber bands and paper clips, as Rubik attempted to construct a connected cube made of smaller ones. Days passed and the mathematician took a fateful stroll through the streets of Budapest, where he stopped to admire the Danube, taking time to appreciate the way the river moved around the small pebbles in the river. Aradhya’s text is engaging and straightforward, emphasizing the importance of determination and curiosity. The mixed-media illustrations are equally engrossing, filled with eye-catching details that complement the narrative. Back matter includes additional facts about the cultural impact of the cube as well as an author’s note.