James Rumford

Books by This Author

From the Good Mountain: How Gutenberg Changed the World

Age Level: 3-6

The world changed when rags and bone, sticky stuff, and other things came together in the hands of a man who lived in the German city of Mainz. Johannes Gutenberg had printed a book in a new way. Readers will be drawn in as the elements Gutenberg used unfold, illustrated in handsome, realistic illustrations. An epilogue completes this intriguing book.

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

By: James Rumford

Age Level: 6-9

In 1802, when Champollion was eleven years old, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt's ancient hieroglyphs. He faced great challenges over the next twenty years as he searched for the elusive key to the mysterious writing.

Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing

By: James Rumford

Age Level: 6-9

The story of Sequoyah is the tale of an ordinary man with an extraordinary idea — to create a writing system for the Cherokee Indians and turn his people into a nation of readers and writers. Sequoyah knew no English and had no idea how to capture speech on paper. But slowly and painstakingly, ignoring the scorn of his neighbors and friends, he worked out a system that surprised the Cherokee Nation — and the world of the 1820s — with its beauty and simplicity.

Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad

By: James Rumford

Age Level: 6-9

Ali, a contemporary boy living in Bagdad enjoys soccer, "loud, parent-rattling music," and Arabic calligraphy. Ali finds solace in it during the noise of war much like 13th century calligrapher Yakut. Dynamic, evocative illustrations make this book memorable, sure to remind readers that children are similar world-over.