Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2023. (Photo: ARPAE Energy via Wikimedia Commons, CC 2.0)

In 2011, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson took to Reddit for an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) session. Users wondered about everything from scientific funding and images taken from space to studying physics and recent technical innovations. But some commenters strayed from scientific topics completely, with one asking, “Which books should be read by every single intelligent person on the planet?” Tyson replied with a list of eight titles, each accompanied by explanations of how the book’s “content influenced the behavior of people who shaped the Western world.”

Below are the books featured in Tyson’s list, alongside his commentary and links to their free, online versions. To read the works, Tyson concluded, would be to “glean profound insight into most of what has driven the history of the Western world.” Some Reddit users also suggested additional titles, including Plato’s The Republic, Capital by Karl Marx, and Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, among others.

To explore more, visit Tyson’s AMA thread on Reddit.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson revealed a list of eight books in response to a Reddit AMA asking, “Which books should be read by every single intelligent person on the planet?”

The Bible

The Gutenberg Bible (Photo: Gun Powder Ma via Wikimedia Commons, CC 2.0)

“To learn that it’s easier to be told by others what to think and believe than it is to think for yourself.”

The System of the World by Sir Isaac Newton

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn that the universe is a knowable place.”

The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn of our kinship with all other life on Earth.”

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Smith

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn, among other satirical lessons, that most of the time humans are Yahoos.”

The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn how the power of rational thought is the primary source of freedom in the world.”

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn that capitalism is an economy of greed, a force of nature unto itself.”

The Art of War by Sun Tsu

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn that the act of killing fellow humans can be raised to an art.”

The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli

Bookshop | eBook

“To learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it.”

Source: I am Neil deGrasse Tyson — AMA

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READ: Here Are Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Eight Books That “Every Intelligent Person” Should Read

Children’s books are some of the first things that form us. They guide us through a world we’re still growing into; they make us laugh with their whimsical illustrations and humor; they make us reflect upon our actions and how they can impact those around us; and, perhaps most of all, they outline the values of our shared culture. And, like any piece or genre of literature, these books have undoubtedly evolved throughout time. The University of Florida’s Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature traces that transformation, encompassing some of the world’s finest examples of what is now affectionately referred to as “kid lit.”

Since first reporting on this resource in 2022, the Baldwin Library has grown exponentially, now boasting nearly 11,000 titles to explore online, compared to more than 7,000 a few years ago. The digital database encompasses everything from a 1950 edition of Little Red Riding Hood to a 1875 version of Aladdin. Books range from the 19th to the 20th centuries, and, in addition to lesser-known gems, gather such classics as Cinderella, Rip Van Winkle, Gulliver’s Travels, and Sleeping Beauty, among countless others. Each entry features information about the volume’s subject, genre, date, and place of publication, and a PDF file, reproduced with stunning clarity, of the book itself.

Beyond being a remarkable archive, the Baldwin Library offers a compelling glimpse into the purpose of children’s literature across time. Lectures to Children from 1866, for instance, contains chapters like “God Will Take Care of Us” and “Angels’ Joy When Sinners Repent,” illustrating both the predominance of religious upbringing during that era, but the function of “sinning” or “repenting” as cautionary themes that redirect children toward righteous behavior. Moral Tales for Young People, an earlier collection from the 1810s, similarly touts ethics and common sense through its “agreeable” stories, all of which “embody the purest principles of moral rectitude.” Interestingly, the book’s preface bristles at fairytales, those “tales of horror and enchantment” that have “perverted the public taste.”

Other entries, however, are more didactic, focusing on teaching children about reading, physical science, natural history, and the alphabet. Of course, some of these titles reveal prevailing attitudes about race and colonialism, even when attempting to catalog something as “objective” as history. Tales About America and Australia, from 1862, recounts the discovery of the Americas, exploring the drama and glory of conquest while glossing over the violence committed against Indigenous populations. The Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, though a work of fiction, showcases illustrations perpetuating Orientalism, a popular subject within literature and art during the late 19th century. Even so, these books still provide rich historical insight into how such topics were discussed with and presented to children.

Overall, the Baldwin Library is an exceptional resource, ripe for endless hours of exploration, research, and reflection. To dive into more than 10,000 children’s books throughout history, visit the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature website.

The Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature gathers nearly 11,000 books dedicated to children, showcasing the historical breadth and evolution of children’s literature.

Featured books span everything from Little Red Riding Hood and Aladdin to Cinderella and Gulliver’s Travels.

The Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature: Website

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Albert Camus talks with two young women at the Nobel ceremony. (Photo: Jan Ehnemark via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

In 1924, two decades before the publication of The Stranger, author Albert Camus was a boy growing up in poverty in Algeria. Noticing his potential, a teacher named Louis Germain took him under his wing, even giving him free lessons to help him secure a scholarship. That's why, when Camus won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957, Germain was one of the people who came to his mind. The author then sent him a moving letter, which continues to resonate with teachers and pupils today.

The letter is dated November 19, 1957, almost a month after Camus was announced as the winner. “I let the commotion around me these days subside a bit before speaking to you from the bottom of my heart,” the author writes. “I have just been given far too great an honor, one I neither sought nor solicited.” Still, Camus saw it as an opportunity to thank Germain for his efforts. “Without you, without the affectionate hand you extended to the small poor child that I was, without your teaching and example, none of all this would have happened.”

At 44, Camus was—and remains—the second-youngest person ever to win this award, only after Rudyard Kipling, who was 41 when he won in 1907. The Swedish Academy recognized the author and philosopher “for his important literary production, which with clear-sighted earnestness illuminates the problems of the human conscience in our times.” Despite his status, the writer never forgot where he came from, nor who got him there. Had it not been for him and the scholarship, Camus likely would have had to join the workforce to support his family.

Germain excitedly replied to Camus's letter, touched by the author's gesture. The teacher said that, despite his success, the author would always be his “little Camus.” “It gives me very great satisfaction to see that your fame has not gone to your head,” Germain added. “You have remained Camus: bravo. I have followed with interest the many vicissitudes of the play you adapted and also staged: The Possessed. I love you too much not to wish you the greatest success: it is what you deserve.”

Many whose careers and lives have been shaped by a devoted teacher relate to this exchange. Among them is Ian Wright, a British former soccer player and media personality. In 2024, Wright read Camus' letter aloud at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall as part of Letters Live, a project that brings powerful correspondence to life—a moment that was poignant due to the ex-athlete's life story.

Much like Camus, Wright had his life shaped by PE teacher Sydney Pigden, who taught him how to read and write, as well as initiating him as a soccer player. Given he had an absent father and an abusive stepfather, Wright has described Pigden as “the first positive male figure” he ever had. After not seeing each other for decades, they had a tearful reunion in 2005, where Pigden told Wright, “I’m so glad you’ve done so well with yourself.” It was a scene that Camus and Germain surely would have found moving.

You can hear Wright's rendition of Camus's gratitude letter in the video below.

After winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1957, Albert Camus sent a letter of gratitude to his teacher, Louis Germain.

(Photo: United Press International via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

“Without you, without the affectionate hand you extended to the small poor child that I was, without your teaching and example, none of all this would have happened,” he wrote.

Embed from Getty Images

Hear Camus's letter in the voice of Ian Wright, a British former soccer player and media personality.

Much like Camus, Wright had his life shaped by PE teacher Sydney Pigden, who taught him how to read and write. Watch their tearful reunion below:

Sources: Ian Wright reads Albert Camus' letter to the teacher that changed his life; I embrace you with all my heart; Ian Wright gets a big shock!; Ian Wright: Ex-England striker on troubled childhood and becoming a pro

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READ: Hear Albert Camus’ Grateful Letter to His Teacher After Winning the Nobel Prize

An 8 ½-week-old, royal white phase Bengal tiger, Panthera tigris, at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, 2014. (Photo: Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark)

For nearly 20 years, Joel Sartore has been on a mission to photograph every animal species living in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary. It's all part of Photo Ark, which has a mission to bring attention to at-risk species. In a new book, Sartore focuses his attention on the many baby animals he's photographed along the way.

Photo Ark Babies, published by National Geographic Press, showcases over 150 youngsters from across the animal kingdom. From an 8-week-old white Bengal tiger to 100-day-old panda cubs, Sartore's portraits offer a beautiful glimpse into future generations carrying on species at risk.

Each portrait is accompanied by some brief text explaining something about the baby animal, whether it be special markings they outgrow or how they keep themselves safe while waiting for their mom to return with food. It's these facts and behaviors that fascinate Sartore, as they show the early survival instincts that keep these animals safe.

At the same time, Sartore is acutely aware of the power these baby animals possess thanks to their adorable faces. And he hopes that this can be used to encourage the public to think more about the animals that we need to save to make our world a better place.

“I wonder what the future holds for the babies in this book,” he writes. “Will they tug at enough heartstrings to inspire us to improve the planet at long last? Will we humans realize what a gift this all is and start saving the wild places that elephants (along with every other creature) need to thrive and raise their young? I sure hope so. After all, when we save other species, we’re actually saving ourselves.

A new book by Joel Sartore focuses on portraits of adorable baby animals.

Twin giant panda cubs, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, 2013. (Photo: Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark)

A juvenile red flanked duiker, Cephalophus rufilatus, at the Los Angeles Zoo, 2016. (Photo: Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark)

A Japanese macaque or snow monkey, Macaca fuscata, at the Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, Iowa, 2017. (Photo: Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark)

Photo Ark Babies features over 150 youngsters from across the animal kingdom.

Joel Sartore Photography: Website | Facebook | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by National Geographic Press.

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A pair of flamingos that appear to be salsa dancing together, their beaks touching as if locked in a kiss. A panda cub tumbling over itself, a suggestion of a pink tongue sneaking out between its lips. A timeless embrace between a baby orangutan and its mother. These are only a few of the photographs featured in Pedro Jarque Krebs’s newest book, WildLOVE, published by TeNeues.

As possibly the world’s most awarded wildlife photographer, Krebs is a master at capturing animals both big and small, whimsical and insightful, opulent and understated, comical and serene. WildLOVE serves as the photographer’s second illustrated book, and further cements his exceptional command over the medium. Like much of his portfolio, the images featured in WildLOVE also showcase their subjects without extraneous input: all animals are shot, perhaps idiosyncratically, against a black background. The effect is one of utter immersion and dedicated focus, forcing viewers to fully engage with the animal in front of them.

Because of this, Krebs is able to achieve a remarkable level of detail in each composition. One image depicts a pair of macaws soaring through the air, their feathers practically vibrating with rich blues, reds, and greens. Another image presents a lion vigorously shaking his head, his mane spraying out from him like the rays of a cartoon sun. Even with the most cursory of glances, one can already discern the rough texture of his fur, the moist tip of his nose, the pointed ends of his whiskers.

When flipping through WildLOVE, you might be struck by a rather surprising thought: these animals almost resemble humans. They look so purposefully into Krebs’ lens. The theatrics of their gestures seem too intentional to be spontaneous—they share knowing smiles with us, they pose, they model, they walk as if strutting down a runway. This is the undeniable essence of Krebs’ photography, and the reason behind his immense popularity.

“Non-human animals are exceptional models. They have endless possibilities,” Krebs said in an interview with 1x Magazine. “Their expressions often invite us to reflect about our own condition. They’re like mirrors.”

In a feature for the World Photography Organization, he added: “I want my photographs to be the portrait of the souls of the animals that share this space and time with us. I want to show them in all their splendor.”

It almost goes without saying that Krebs succeeds in his goals. His photographs provide ample evidence for how inexhaustible, distinct, and vivid animals can be, and his newest monograph should be no exception to that fact.

WildLOVE is slated to be released on May 6, 2025, and is currently available for preorder via Bookshop.

Pedro Jarque Krebs’ newest book WildLOVE captures animals both big and small, whimsical and insightful, comical and serene.

The book showcases the photographer’s signature style of capturing animals in studio settings against black backdrops, highlighting their personalities.

“Non-human animals are exceptional models. They have endless possibilities.”

WildLOVE will be available on May 6, 2025, published by TeNeues.

“WildLOVE” by Pedro Jarque Krebs (TeNeues Publishers, May 2025). Available via Bookshop.

Pedro Jarque Krebs: Website | Instagram
TeNeues: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by TeNeues.

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Throughout his life, Pablo Picasso had firmly believed in the link between youth and creativity. “All children are artists,” he once famously quipped. “The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.” Picasso’s conundrum is one that many have strived to address, whether through imaginative playgrounds, Minecraft servers, or creative toys like light-up drawing tees, origami kits, and 3D printing pens. Phaidon, one of the world’s oldest art publishers, has its own solution: witty board books exploring child-friendly concepts through the lens of renowned artists.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Phaidon Kids has reprinted its First Concepts With Fine Artists collection, encompassing artists such as Henri Matisse, Josef Albers, and, of course, Picasso. Each book focuses on a single topic, ranging from animals to numbers, that exemplifies the work of its eponymous artist. Squares & Other Shapes, for instance, is a playful guide to geometry, repurposing Albers’ modernist, 20th-century masterpieces as educational tools. His series Homages to the Square is featured prominently, and juxtaposes vibrant rectangles, circles, and triangles to further emphasize differences between shapes.

Birds & Other Animals, on the other hand, revolves around Picasso’s loose, expressive sketches of animals. Drawn in a single line, these illustrations have rarely been seen before and showcase the artist’s exceptional command over graphic compositions. Penguins endearingly waddle over snow alongside a squiggly rooster. Turn the page and three birds fly through the air, while a group of flies perch on the ground. One particularly evocative spread sees bunnies leaping across the page, as a fox stares at them from behind, its haunches rigid and posture lowered.

“Bunnies hop… especially to get away from hungry foxes,” the text reads. “Does this fox look hungry to you?”

Taken in its entirety, First Concepts With Fine Artists offers a solid foundation for engaging children with art, all while remaining approachable and beautifully designed. But the collection is also a testament to the publisher’s deep relationship with artist estates, including that of Ellsworth Kelly and Alexander Calder.

“Kelly’s bold colors and shapes invite curiosity and exploration, making his art a perfect fit for children’s learning and discovery,” Jack Shear, the president of the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, told Phaidon.

It’s true: Up, Down & Other Opposites considers pairs like “together/apart,” “vertical/horizontal,” and “full/empty” through Kelly’s minimalist paintings. It’s clear that their outward simplicity and directness invite just that sense of “curiosity” for which Shear advocates. As for Calder, One & Other Numbers is a lesson in quantity, with text prompting children to count the distinct components of his sculptures.

“Calder never stopped upending expectations with his boundless creativity, and we are happy that Phaidon is helping to share his dynamic vision with young readers,” Alexander S.C. Power, the president of the Calder Foundation, added.

Individual titles in the First Concepts With Fine Artists series are currently available via Bookshop, while an exclusive bundle can be purchased on Phaidon’s website.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Phaidon Kids has reprinted its First Concepts With Fine Artists collection, featuring artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Ellsworth Kelly.

“Birds & Other Animals With Pablo Picasso” (Phaidon, 2025). Available via Bookshop.

“Blue & Other Colors With Henri Matisse” (Phaidon, 2025). Available via Bookshop.

The series introduces children to topics like numbers, animals, and colors through the lens of renowned artists.

“One & Other Numbers With Alexander Calder” (Phaidon, 2025). Available via Bookshop.

“Squares & Other Shapes With Josef Albers” (Phaidon, 2025). Available via Bookshop.

“Up, Down & Other Opposites With Ellsworth Kelly” (Phaidon, 2025). Available via Bookshop.

Phaidon: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Phaidon.

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Xavier Ortega, “Mbili bora in the rain,” Masai Mara, Kenya.

When she encountered a poached elephant in Northern Kenya in 2014, British wildlife photographer Margot Raggett decided to take action. The resulting collective, Remembering Wildlife, has since published countless books dedicated to raising funds for endangered species, including cheetahs, bears, great apes, and, for its inaugural edition back in 2016, elephants. Since its founding, Remembering Wildlife has raised over $1.55 million to benefit 79 wildlife projects in 34 countries. This October, Remembering Wildlife will release the 10th title in its book series, encompassing new images selected via a competition alongside some of the best content featured in its previous publications.

This year’s competition produced 20 winning photographs, meticulously curated from a pool of over 4,500 submissions, for 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife. Each image captures its animal subject with a remarkable sense of immediacy, conjuring distinct landscapes, textures, and atmospheres across countries like India, Canada, and Uganda. Wildlife photography can easily veer into the romantic or sentimental, but these images are instead raw, candid portraits of the animals we stand to lose without direct conservation efforts.

One particularly evocative photograph by Bircan Harper, for instance, exploits a tight composition to emphasize the tiger at its center. With its head slightly tilted and grazing a clear pool of water beneath it, the tiger appears meditative, almost somber, as it averts its blank gaze away from us. Another image by Tom Way is similarly solemn, showcasing a bleak landscape full of cracked, withered ground. In the distance is a setting sun and the monumental shadow of an elephant. Where, the photograph seems to ask us, is this elephant going to quench its thirst, when the earth around it is so unyielding?

Other photographs depict groups of animals, perhaps to evoke themes of community, resilience, and tenderness. Marcus Westberg shines with a touching composition of African wild dog puppies, while Kim Paffen’s photograph of a mountain gorilla holding her baby suggests the timelessness of a mother’s touch, regardless of species. Julie Oldroyd presents a scene of polar bear cubs climbing across their slumbering parent, eager, playful, and ultimately oblivious to how climate change has impacted the world around them.

“Through the sales of this book, we can raise awareness of the threats faced by wildlife as a whole and can raise funds to support those on the front line,” Raggett said in a statement. “The conservation world has been devastated by the recent USAID cuts and this is a way for the rest of us to stand up and say it is unacceptable.”

Slated to release on October 6, 2025, 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife offers a poignant and timely glimpse into the animals most threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and poaching, such as the pangolin, which stands as the world’s most trafficked mammal. To learn more about the upcoming book and the collective’s mission, visit the Remembering Wildlife website.

Published by the British collective Remembering Wildlife, 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife will honor endangered animals through photography.

Jagdeep Rajput, “A Touching Moment,” Corbett National Park, India.

Griet Van Malderen, “Gama, the beach huntress,” Namibia.

Marcus Westberg, “Puppy Love,” Tswalu Kalahari Nature Reserve, South Africa.

Kim Paffen, “In the Arms of Eternity: A Mother's Timeless Promise,” Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

The book includes 20 images of endangered animals, all selected through a photography contest with over 4,500 submissions.

Julie Oldroyd, “Age of Innocence,” Baffin Island, Canada.

Bircan Harper, “Tiger Reflection,” Bandhavgarh National Park, India.

Mark Meth-Cohn, “Cold Callers Welcome,” Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India.

All proceeds from 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife will be set aside for conversation efforts.

Tom Way, “Thirst,” Kenya.

Ifham Raji, “Leopard Enjoying Morning Sun Break,” Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka.

Johann du Toit, “5 at Blue hour,” Shompole Hide, Kenya.

Since its founding in 2016, Remembering Wildlife has raised over $1.55 million to benefit 79 wildlife projects in 34 countries.

James Gifford, “Fire of Creation,” Kalahari, Botswana.

Torie Hilley, “Entourage,” Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.

“10 Years of Remembering Wildlife” book cover, featuring an image by Tristan Dicks of a Temminck's pangolin. The book will be published by Remembering Wildlife in October 2025.

Remembering Wildlife: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Remembering Wildlife.

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Ruby Bridges being escorted out of William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, 1960. (Photo: Uncredited DOJ photographer, via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

In November 1960, a shouting mob swarmed around William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. At the center of the commotion was Ruby Bridges, a 6-year-old girl accompanied by U.S. Marshals. She was the first Black student to integrate the school, at the height of the civil rights movement. That year, several white parents withdrew their children from the school, and all teachers except for one refused to teach while a Black child was enrolled. Now, through her new children’s book, Bridges pays tribute to that teacher: Mrs. Barbara Henry.

Published earlier this year by Orchard Press, Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher unveils the bond shared between Mrs. Henry, a Boston native, and Bridges during the first grade. Throughout, Bridges, now a prominent civil rights symbol and activist, illuminates Henry’s impact upon her education, in spite of facing tremendous hardship and racism.

“She’s like another mom to me,” Bridges, 70, told TODAY in an interview. “I would not have gotten through that if it had not been for my teacher. And, as you know, teachers really quit their jobs back then because they didn’t want to teach Black kids. This one teacher came from Boston to teach me.”

But when Bridges returned to William Frantz for second grade, eager to see her beloved teacher, Mrs. Henry was nowhere to be found.

“I have to say that second grade was much worse for me than first because she was my best friend,” Bridges continued. “I didn’t have any friends, and I had gotten so close to her.”

It would take nearly 35 years for the pair to reunite again, in 1995. Even then, Bridges couldn’t emphasize enough how much Mrs. Henry’s support meant.

“I think that each and every one of us, we probably remember one teacher that made an impact in our lives, and she was the one for me,” Bridges said.

Through its tender watercolor illustrations and immersive storytelling, A Talk with My Teacher is an intimate and timely glimpse into the power teachers hold. After all, teaching, as Bridges writes in the book, is “really the noblest of professions.”

Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher is currently available via Bookshop.

Prominent civil rights figure Ruby Bridges has published a new children’s book about being the first Black child to integrate at William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.

Ruby Bridges at the Mayo Speaker Series in 2015. (Photo: Texas A&M University, via Wikimedia Commons, CC 2.0)

Titled Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher, the children’s book is a love letter to Bridges’ first-grade teacher, Mrs. Henry.

“Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher,” by Ruby Bridges and illustrated by Trudy Tran (Orchard Books, Jan. 2025)

Ruby Bridges: Website | Instagram

Sources: Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges recalls the teacher who changed her life; Ruby Bridges' new children's book is love letter to her 1st grade teacher: ‘She's like another mom to me'

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Bookwheel at the Biblioteca Palafoxiana in Mexico. (Photo: Luis Alvaz via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Many of us are guilty of having too many web browser tabs open. While this seems like an all-too-modern problem, the truth is that this issue is as old as the printed word. Centuries ago, academics had an alternative to juggling several tomes and propping them open all over a table. They used the bookwheel, a rotating device that allowed people to browse multiple books at once, allowing them to go from one text to the next without even having to stand up.

The design for the bookwheel is often attributed to Italian military engineer Agostino Ramelli, who in 1588 presented this idea as an illustration in Le diverse et artificiose machine del Capitano Agostino Ramelli (The various and ingenious machines of Captain Agostino Ramelli).

Others believe a similar device was conceived in China a thousand years before Ramelli's concept. The Italian inventor didn't really need one, as he was more preoccupied with displaying his math skills regarding the inner workings of the bookwheel. Still, his idea prompted other engineers to build their own.

The device was praised for its accessibility, as it made studying easier for people with conditions like gout. Its functions, however, were limited, as it didn't have the necessary support for other activities like writing. It worked similarly to a water wheel by using an epicyclic gearing arrangement, which is what kept the books in the right direction for the reader. On average, bookwheels hold six or seven tomes, but there are records of larger bookwheels that accommodated even more books.

Bookwheels were at their peak popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries when dozens of these devices were built around the world. While many have been sadly lost to time, 14 have survived under the care of libraries and academic institutions, most of them in Europe. The lone bookwheel known in the Americas today can be found in the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, in Puebla, a city two hours east of Mexico City and renowned as the first public library on the continent.

The cleverness of these devices has also inspired contemporary engineers to create their own bookwheels. Most notably, a group of engineering students at the Rochester Institute of Technology drew from Ramelli's concept to build two wheels using modern technology. For all the state-of-the-art prowess, each wheel ended up a towering 600-pound device.

If not exactly practical, the contemporary bookwheels have added a lot of charm to the libraries in the Rochester area that now house them. As Matt Nygren, one of the students, tells Atlas Obscura, “It’s certainly an eye-catching thing, and one of the fanciest ways I can think of for storing books.”

The bookwheel is a rotating device that allows people to browse multiple books at once.

A bookwheel at the Jagiellonian University Museum (Collegium Maius) in Kraków, Poland.(Photo: Bassschlüssel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

The design for the bookwheel is attributed to Italian military engineer Agostino Ramelli in the 16th century.

Nicolas Grollier de Serviere's Reading Wheel. Illustration from Recueil d'Ouvrages Curieux de Mathematique et de Mecanique, ou Description du Cabinet de Monsieur Grollier de Serviere, 1719. (Photo: Gaspard Grollier de Serviere via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The idea was presented as an illustration in Le diverse et artificiose machine del Capitano Agostino Ramelli.

Figure CLXXXVIII in ‘Le diverse et artificiose machine del Capitano Agostino Ramelli,' an illustration of a bookwheel. (Photo: Agostino Ramelli de Serviere via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

On average, bookwheels held six or seven tomes, but there are records of larger bookwheels holding even more books.

Book wheel made of oak, built for Duke August after 1625. (Photo: Kerstin Namuth via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

While many bookwheels have been lost to time, 14 of these devices have survived under the care of libraries and academic institutions.

Bookwheel at the Biblioteca Palafoxiana in Mexico. (Photo: PaulAsimov via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sources: How Students Built a 16th-Century Engineer’s Book-Reading Machine; Ramelli's Machines: Original drawings of the 16th century machines; A Revolving Bookcase by Agostino Ramelli; The Ramellian Bookwheel; Rueda de consulta en la bilbioteca Palafoxiana

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If you flip through your childhood sketchbooks, you’ll probably find stick figures, colorful houses, and smiling family portraits. But 13-year-old painting prodigy Andres Valencia’s creativity is far beyond his years. Known as one of the most accomplished young artists in the world, his bold, Cubism-inspired works have captivated the global art scene, with some even selling for six figures. Now, Valencia has released a book titled Painting Without Rules, offering a glimpse into his extraordinary artistic journey and creative processes.

Andres was immersed in creativity from an early age, having grown up in a home filled with art in San Diego. The self-taught artist began creating his own art at around 5 years old, and was first inspired by the artworks his father collected, including pieces by Raphael Mazzucco and Salvador Dalí. He became particularly fascinated with a painting in his home collection by RETNA, meticulously replicating it again and again as a form of self-training.

Andres continued to learn by studying art history at home, watching painting tutorials online, and even trying his hand at sculpture. Today, the young artist draws inspiration from a diverse range of iconic artists, including Gerhard Richter, Vincent van Gogh, Amedeo Modigliani, Francis Bacon, and Michelangelo, all admired for their distinctive styles.

Typically starting with small sketches and guided by a color wheel, Valencia allows intuition to take over once the brush hits the canvas. He uses a combination of oil stick, oil, and acrylic paint, transforming blank canvases into vibrant, expressive pieces that evoke the spirit of Picasso. According to his publicist, Sam Morris, Andre’s’ ideas often come at night—sometimes so vividly that he jumps out of bed at 10 p.m. to start painting. He’s often juggling a few canvases at once, and somehow manages to finish each one in just a few days.

The now young teen made his artistic debut in 2021 at Art Miami, becoming the youngest artist in the fair’s history to exhibit his work. Since then, Andres has built a fan base of over 280,000 followers on Instagram, where people are captivated by behind-the-scenes videos that offer a glimpse into his creative process. He recently created a striking Cubist-style portrait of Eva Longoria—one of several celebrity admirers of his work. And last year, Andres took his talents to late-night television, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Now with his new book, Painting Without Rules published by DK Penguin Random House, Andres offers a glimpse into his creative world, revealing how his bold, figurative works take shape. Alongside behind-the-scenes glimpses of the young artist in his studio, the book features more than 100 of his pieces, showcasing the full range of his talent.

Check out some pages from the book below, and if you’re inspired, you can learn more and grab your own copy on the DK Penguin Random House website.

13-year-old painting prodigy Andres Valencia’s Cubism-inspired artworks have captivated the global art scene.

The talented young artist has recently released a book titled Painting Without Rules, offering a glimpse into his extraordinary artistic journey.

Andres made his artistic debut in 2021 at Art Miami, becoming the youngest artist in the fair’s history to exhibit his work.

The book’s pages offer a glimpse into Valencia’s creative world, revealing how his bold, figurative works take shape.

Andres Valencia: Instagram | Book

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Andres Valencia.

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READ: 13-Year-Old Painting Prodigy Shares His Inspiring Artistic Journey in New Book