Born in Canada in 1844, Elijah McCoy, the son of former slaves, patented over 50 inventions throughout his life. This simply told history of an African-American inventor focuses on McCoy's achievements without minimizing the barriers he faced because he was black. Full-page illustrations by Clay show a man wholly dedicated to his work and his dreams. A role model for many African-Americans while he was alive, McCoy is once again a source of pride and inspiration. (Ages 7-10)

Handsome oil paintings enliven this picture book biography about the little-known inventor who inspired the phrase "the real McCoy". Young readers meet Elijah McCoy and discover how he invented the lawn sprinkler, the rubber heel on a shoe, and more. "A striking introduction to one of the first and most successful African-American inventors".--Booklist, starred review.