Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube

This first picture book biography of Rubik's Cube creator Erno Rubik reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind creating an iconic puzzle.

Celebrating 50 years of the most popular puzzle in history!

An Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Book
A Mathical Book Prize Honor Book

In the hills of Budapest, near the banks of the Danube River, lived a quiet boy named Ernő Rubik. He loved books, art, nature, and--most of all--puzzles. And he grew up to create the most popular puzzle in history. This picture book biography explores the experience and interests that inspired the inventor of the Rubik's Cube.

From the time he was a child, Ernő was curious about the objects around him. What did they look like on the inside? What about geometric shapes? How many ways could he fit them together? Could he combine them so they somehow became something that was greater than its components?

Ernő grew up and became a professor of architecture and design. Still fascinated with how shapes worked together, he fashioned an object, a cube made up of smaller cubes that twisted and turned without breaking. This object eventually became known as the most popular puzzle in history, the Rubik's Cube.

Kerry Aradhya's accessible text takes us behind the scenes of the creative process and into the mind and imagination of a remarkable inventor. Kara Kramer's cheerful, multi-media illustrations encourage readers to think about inspiration, reflection, and the joy of puzzles--and solutions.

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A CBC-NSTA Best STEM Book of the Year
Named to the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
Named to the Texas Bluebonnet Award List

Author: Kerry Aradhya
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: 06/11/2024
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.93lbs
Size: 10.25h x 10.26w x 0.33d
ISBN: 9781682636640
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.8
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 553801 / Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube


Award: Ezra Jack Keats Book Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2024
Booklist 04/01/2024 pg. 35
Publishers Weekly 04/15/2024
Horn Book Magazine 07/01/2024 pg. 148
School Library Journal 10/18/2024 pg. 1
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2024 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Kerry Aradhya is a science writer and editor who loves to puzzle over words and immerse herself in the creative process. Although she might beat you at Scrabble, she has yet to solve more than one side of a Rubik's Cube. She is much better at twisting and turning in the dance studio, where you'll usually find her when she's not tapping away on her laptop. Kerry lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and their cute but naughty pooch named Sofie. Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube is her debut picture book.

Kara Kramer is an illustrator of picture books, including Make Meatballs Sing: The Life and Art of Corita Kent, and illustrator-author of Tell Me a Lion Story. She is happiest when her hands are moving through some kind of making. The how of the creative process is her favorite puzzle to twist and turn and learn from always. She lives and colors her way in Brooklyn.