Daniel Lichter

 

Born (1988) in Israel and raised in Tel Aviv, Daniel graduated from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem in 2013. He began his career in the animation industry and later transitioned to creating educational products for children. Today, he illustrates and designs educational textbooks and digital products. His non-fiction middle-grade comic book, The Cartoon Academy: The Computer Inventors, was published by Israel's Yedioth Books. It received rave reviews and won an award for children's comic books from the Israeli Cartoon Association. The Cartoon Academy is a series, with two additional books already in progress: The Cartoon Academy 2: The Games Inventors and Leading Painters.

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The Cartoon Academy: The Computer Inventors

Non-fiction middle-grade comic book

Publisher: Yedioth Sfarim

Year: 2022

150 pp.

 

Translation rights: World

Audio visual rights: World

Translation: Complete English available

 

Why didn’t Steve Jobs like to shower? What are bugs doing inside computers? What kind of food did the Europeans discover in America? And how were computers and the internet invented? The answers to such strange questions and many others can be found in the book The Cartoon Academy – The Computer Inventors. The book, which is full of enchanting illustrations, presents fascinating stories about some of the people who invented computers, such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Officer Grace Hopper, Countess Lady Lovelace and more, in a light and captivating way.

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Critical Praise

 

The book chronicles the story of human development, from the invention of stone tools to the invention of the computer, in all its iterations, and highlights the skills and talents required: invention, thinking outside the box, perseverance, collaboration, and creativity. The result is a charming and informative book that doesn’t take itself too seriously but does treat its readers, their education, and their understanding of the world with the seriousness and respect they deserve... In the first chapter, Lichter imparts to the young reader the idea that humanity developed in response to various needs and constraints, accompanied by innovative inventions. This idea carries a lot of goodwill and also a certain innocence, both of which are fitting for the age group of its potential readers... The Inventors of the Computer also ensures that the contributions of women to world history in general, and to the history of computer development in particular, are not overlooked... The spotlight that Lichter shines on the key role of women in the history of computers doesn’t seem forced or didactic, as sometimes happens when driven by image concerns. It is clear that he simply wants to give due credit to everyone who contributed to the development of computers, whether male or female... The comic is very child-friendly, sprinkled (as is common in the genre) with lots of little jokes, and it manages to speak in simple and clear language while also describing events and developments within a broader context that gives them deeper meaning. It praises the capacity for flexible thinking, the relentless pursuit of discovery and scientific breakthroughs, and disputing accepted norms in the struggle for progress. For children interested in computers and their history, or in history in general, as well as for comic book lovers, this is a book full of interesting and enriching information, presented in a light and fun way.

Masha Zur Glozman, Ha’aretz

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An excellent comic book, engaging and easy to read, that tells us everything that needed to happen for humanity to reach the moment when the computer was invented - all with humor and in a relatable way. The agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, the invention of printing, codes, and yes, even Chaim Weizmann is here. Exactly the kind of book you’d want your kids to read… It’s funny and smart, marvelous and amazing, and deserves many more compliments. For elementary and middle school students, and for parents who will steal it from them.

Meira Barnea Goldberg, MAKO

 

The medium chosen by Daniel Lichter - a comic book that provides information through illustrations and short text segments - allows young readers to navigate the ocean of details (characters, places, dates, key events, and concepts, some of which have become part of the global language of computer users) with ease and enjoyment. The written information is delivered in a straightforward style and in clear, conversational language, that addresses the readers pleasantly, while the illustrations make the journey through history easier and add humor. The book sparks curiosity, offers explanations that are accessible to everyone, and is suitable for a diverse readership.

Ha’mifras

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