
Read Aloud: “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?"
Clip: 6/30/2023 | 4m 6sVideo has Closed Captions
Kaden reads “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?” by Patrice McLaurin.
From WFSU, Kaden reads “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?” by Patrice McLaurin, illustrated by Dian Wang. This story reminds viewers of inventions we use in our daily lives.
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Camp TV is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS

Read Aloud: “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?"
Clip: 6/30/2023 | 4m 6sVideo has Closed Captions
From WFSU, Kaden reads “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?” by Patrice McLaurin, illustrated by Dian Wang. This story reminds viewers of inventions we use in our daily lives.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship-Hi, everyone.
My name is Kaden.
Today I'm going to be reading a book called "Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?"
by Patrice McLaurin, illustrated by Dian Wang.
Let's get started.
"This world is full of inventions.
Some of them we don't even think about.
But if we took time to think about them, we'd realize we wouldn't want to live without them.
You see, inventions, they make our lives much easier, and they also make our lives more fun.
So we should thank the inventors who invent great inventions, for without them, we might not get anything done.
Like, for instance, when your mom wakes you up in the morning to let you know that it is time for school.
You stretch and yawn, rub the corners of your eyes, and probably wipe away last night's drool!
That's when you happen to glance over at your clock and realize you're running a bit late.
But you wouldn't know that if it weren't for Benjamin Banneker.
He invented the first clock in the United States.
So you put your clothes on and rush into the bathroom.
You wash your face and brush your teeth, then brush your hair.
Be sure to thank Lyda Newman for part of your morning grooming, as the modern-day hairbrush was her awesome idea.
Afterwards, you're called into the kitchen for breakfast.
This morning is cereal with fruit and wheat toast.
Thank goodness John Stanard improved a refrigerator because hot milk with your cereal is pretty darn gross.
And when you're on your way to school, whether you're a bus rider, a car rider, or you walk, you have to think Garrett Morgan for the traffic light.
Otherwise, none of our streets would be safe to cross.
Then, after you settle into your classroom, and you've taken out your supplies because you're such a scholar, please remember to show love to Mr. John Love, for his invention was none other than the pencil sharpener.
Now, as much as you love to learn, you'll admit that sometimes lunch is your favorite time of the day.
Well, you can thank John Robertson for your lunch box, but for inside it, it's your mom who you should thank.
And what does your mom usually pack in your lunch box?
Tasty snacks that make your belly go yum like peanut butter, made popular by George Washington Carver, or potato chips invented by George Crumb.
Fast forward.
The school day is now over.
It's been a long one, and you're happy to be home.
You check the mailbox invented by P. Downing, then chill in front of the air conditioner improved by Frederick Jones.
Plus, your teacher didn't assign any homework, so you decide to play a few games on the cellphone.
Well, if it wasn't for Henry Sampson's gamma-electric cell, believe it or not, there would be no cellphone.
And these are just a few awesome inventions.
There are countless that I didn't even mention, like the doorknob invented by O. Dorsey or a type of guitar invented by Robert Flemming.
Sarah Boone invented the ironing board, and Thomas Stewart invented the mop.
Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker, and W.A.
Martin improved the lock.
So here's a cool thing for you to do.
You should take a moment or two and ponder over how life would be if these inventions weren't created for you.
Then, as you lie in your bed this evening and think about how your day was spent, don't forget to thank an inventor.
Then dream about what you'd like to invent."
The end.
Thanks for reading with me.
Bye.
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