Eadweard Muybridge’s series of still photos documenting a galloping horse in 1878 marked early efforts to show motion in photography. This concise and captivating account of how movies began and evolved to what we know today begins with Muybridge and moves on to development of Thomas Edison’s Kinetograph and Kinetoscope and the Lumiére brothers’ film camera and projector inventions; these were followed by the addition of color and sound. The influence of early iconic performances from Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Josephine Baker are connected to familiar contemporary actors and films. Horror, sci-fi, and action films throughout cinematic history all make an appearance, while McCarthy’s trademark bug eyes and comic style offer visual continuity across the years. The concluding Author’s Note extends the primary narrative with fascinating content about the MGM lion, women film editors, the advent of Hollywood, and more. 

(Ages 7-11)

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year

In this “stunning” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book, award-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of how motion pictures came to be invented and the story of the many people who helped create them.

Movies take us on adventures, introduce us to new worlds, and make us feel, but how did they start?

In her trademark easy-to-follow narrative voice, this fact-filled picture book tells the story of the evolution of movies and the people who worked hard to create them—both on-screen and behind the scenes. In fascinating detail, she shows how early photography capturing motion became silent films, which led to the first color films and how those building blocks allowed for the inspiring movies of today.