{"id":37325,"date":"2020-05-15T13:29:53","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T17:29:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37325"},"modified":"2020-05-15T13:29:53","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T17:29:53","slug":"review-of-pass-go-and-collect-200-by-tanya-lee-stone-illustrated-by-steven-salerno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37325","title":{"rendered":"Review of Pass Go and Collect $200, by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Steven Salerno"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Pass Go and Collect $200<\/p>\n

The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented<\/em><\/p>\n

by Tanya Lee Stone
\nillustrated by Steven Salerno<\/p>\n

Christy Ottaviano Books (Henry Holt and Company), 2018. 36 pages.
\nStarred Review
\nReview written July 23, 2018, from a library book
\n2018 Sonderbooks Stand-out<\/a>:
\n#3 Children’s Nonfiction Picture Books<\/p>\n

Everybody knows that Charles Darrow invented the game of Monopoly during the Great Depression and made lots of money, right? It\u2019s even explained in the rules.<\/p>\n

Turns out, that\u2019s not actually the truth \u2013 he took credit \u2013 and got money \u2013 from a woman\u2019s invention!<\/p>\n

Okay, he did improve things. He did make his own boards and add a unique look to the game. But the basic idea of \u201cThe Landlord\u2019s Game\u201d was invented by a woman named Lizzie Magie \u2013 and she even filed some patents to prove it!<\/p>\n

This picture book tells the real story and shows the early versions of Lizzie\u2019s game. Parker Brothers Game Company didn\u2019t buy her popular game, but her friends enjoyed the game and made their own changes and put names on the properties based on the cities where they lived.<\/p>\n

The most lasting changes happened in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1930. Ruth Hoskins, a young Quaker teacher, and her friends renamed most of the properties after Atlantic City streets and neighborhoods. They were inspired by locations such as St. Charles Place, Ventnor Avenue, and Boardwalk. Someone else came up with color sequences and dividing the properties into groups of three. Atlantic City players added hotels to the game as well.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This was the set that Charles Darrow played.<\/p>\n

Like many others, Charles Darrow began making his own boards to play the game. He even added some improvements. But it was the Great Depression, and instead of giving away the games he was making, he sold copies to his friends.<\/p>\n

He also marketed the game and got sets he\u2019d made stocked in department stores for Christmas. After they heard what a hit he was creating, Parker Brothers was finally willing to purchase the game from him.<\/p>\n

To protect anyone from copying it, Parker Brothers needed a patent. Can you guess what happened next? Parker Brothers discovered Lizzie Magie\u2019s patent. George Parker then remembered Lizzie trying to sell him her game years before. After having made an earlier claim that Monopoly was his brainchild, Charles Darrow admitted he had worked from an existing game, but he didn\u2019t know who created it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They ended up buying Lizzie\u2019s patent for $500 (the equivalent of almost $9,000 today) for the rights to publish the game. And then the company went on to make millions from it.<\/p>\n

This is how the main text of the book finishes up, leaving the reader to decide:<\/p>\n

Today, we know that without Lizzie Magie, there likely never would have been a game called Monopoly for us to play and love. Her initial idea is the heart of the game. And without Charles Darrow, Monopoly might not have become America\u2019s favorite board game. All the other folks who added their ideas along the way helped make it great, too.<\/p>\n

So who wins in this story? What do you think? Did Lizzie Magie make a wrong move? Did Charles Darrow? How would you<\/em> have played it? In any case, there is no doubt that millions of people all over the world adore Monopoly.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How nice to have a book that sets the record straight!<\/p>\n

tanyastone.com<\/a>
\nstevensalerno.com<\/a>
\nmackids.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/pass_go_and_collect_200.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a>