"She was clever with her books,
but even cleverer with tools.
In her spare time, she tinkered
with her motorcycle.
Then she took it to the racetrack,
where she found she wasn't quite
like the other riders, either.
She was faster."
It remains amazing to me that, through children's literature, I continue meeting new heroes. I have mentioned it before; by reading picture book biographies to your children and students, you are sharing the stories of people from around the world whose lives are quite remarkable.
Beatrice Shilling loved tools, rather than candies. She ignored the confectionaries where other children pressed their noses to the window, and chose to purchase a wrench from the nearby hardware store. She spent her days creating amazing machines, or fixing ones that were broken. If she took it apart, Beatrice put it back together. When she met Miss Partridge on a trip to London, she knew she wanted to be exactly like her. Beatrice wanted to be an electrical engineer.
It became apparent that Beatrice should go on to university to further her education. What a shock to find she was the only female in her classes. The others were not welcoming. Beatrice was clever, with books and tools. Upon graduation, there was little left for her to learn about machines, and no jobs for a woman. She was hired to write handbooks ... not Beatrice's idea of useful work. When the Engine Department gave her a job, she did her best. She wasn't always successful; she was always happy.
In George Naylor, she found a kindred spirit and married him. WWII was raging, and that is when her work with fighter planes amped up. The planes' engines would often quit. Beatrice and her team (of men) did their best to find a solution. Finally, Beatrice discovered the source of the problem. Money would be needed to fix it; there was none. With Beatrice in charge, a simple, inexpensive solution was found! Beatrice shilling was such an inspiration.
Digital, appealing illustrations follow Beatrice from childhood to her career helping the war effort in Britain. Back matter includes an author's detailed note about Beatrice, her life and her work. Selected sources are included.
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