Pedro's Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of Toys by Rob Penas and illustrated by Carl Angel
Aaahhh...the yo-yo...what could be more American than an old-fashioned, trusty, wooden yo-yo? There is just one problem. The yo-yo wasn't invented by an American or in America. The yo-yo as we know it today was invented in the Philippines and it was brought to America by a Filipino immigrant named Pedro Flores. Pedro Flores was born in 1896 when the Philippines were ruled by Spain. When he was a small boy, the United States became the new rulers. This is when Pedro learned about economic opportunities in America. So, at 15 years old he left the Philippines and after a few years of travel and odd jobs he finally made it to America. In America he continued doing odd jobs while attending school. At one point he was living with a family with a young boy. They spent many hours playing ball together but Pedro felt the boy would like to play with a toy he had played with in the Philippines...the yo-yo. The boy LOVED the yo-yo. So did his parents, his family, other children, the neighbors, and soon Pedro had his own business. He had become a toy maker. So, full discloser, I never really thought about yo-yos before. I knew they existed and I played with them as a kid but it never occurred to me that someone must have actually invented them. This books was just so much fun. I learned about the history of a fun toy in America, some of the history of an island country in the Pacific Ocean, and the history of an important person. I think more people should learn about the history of toys and the toy makers. Not only that, I loved the pictures. The pictures were bright, colorful, and easy to see. And the best part...there were facts about the Philippines, the yo-yo, and Pedro Flores at the end of the book. I love when books have facts at the end so I can learn more. If you want to learn more about the Philippines and yo-yos you can visit one of these sights with an adult.
- Philippines--National Geographic Kids
- Philippines--Britannica Kids
- Philippines Facts for Kids
- Beginner Yoyo Tricks
- Yo-Yo History in America
- The Yo-Yo