Growing up in Budapest in the mid-20th century, Ernő Rubik was a curious child who loved figuring out the way things worked. He studied art and architecture before becoming a teacher, building models to help his students learn about three-dimensional objects. “Would it be possible to build a big cube out of smaller cubes that moved around each other and stay connected?” Ernő decided to try. This intriguing look at Rubik’s efforts is a wonderful account of trial-and-error and problem-solving in action. An important part of Ernő’s process was taking breaks to reflect on sticking points in his design. He would sometimes walk, finding inspiration and answers as he did. The round core at center of the cube, for example, was inspired by the way he saw water moving around pebbles in a river. More about Ernő’s “magic cube,” which is now known around the world as the Rubik’s Cube, is included in the back matter. Colorful mixed-media and collage illustrations that draw on the Rubik’s Cube and Ernő’s life for inspiration are an engaging accompaniment to the narrative.

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!

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 CBC-NSTA Best STEM Book of the Year
Named to the Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
Named to the Texas Bluebonnet Award List