The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor by Wendy Towle, paintings by Will Clay. Scholastic, 1993.

The Real McCoy: the genuine article; the actual thing.

There is some controversy over the origin of this common idiom, as author Wendy Towle indicates in her biography of inventor Elijah McCoy. The book calls the life and work of Mr. McCoy “one possible origin” of the phrase.

Whether or not his work spawned an idiom meaning genuine or original work, McCoy’s life story is certainly an inspiring testimony to excellence and successful invention. Elijah McCoy was born in Canada, the son of former slave who escaped from Kentucky and came to Canada via the Underground Railroad. He eventually studied engineering in Scotland and then came to live in the United States just after the end of the Civil War. Unfortunately, he could not find any work as an engineer because of his skin color, so he became a fireman/oilman for the railroad.

Or was it providence? Elijah McCoy soon began inventing devices to make the trains run more safely and efficiently, including his most famous invention, the automatic lubricating oil cup. He eventually patented over fifty inventions in his lifetime: the first portable ironing board, a lawn sprinkler, tires and tire treads, better rubber heels for shoes, and many devices that were used in the transportation industry in Detroit where McCoy lived.

Wil Clay, a well-known African American artist, painted the vivid and colorful pictures that adorn the pages of this picture book biography. His paintings make the time period and story come alive as readers learn about one of the heroes of American invention.

There’s also another picture book biography of Elijah McCoy in the Great Idea series by Tundra Books, titled All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine by Monica Kulling. I prefer the Towle/Clay book with its rich paintings, but either book would deliver a good reading experience for children who are interested in the stories of real people who overcame obstacles and achieved noteworthy success.

If you are interested in purchasing ($5.00) a curated list of favorite picture book biographies with over 300 picture books about all sorts of different people, email me at sherryDOTpray4youATgmailDOTcom.