What qualities best characterize Isaac Newton? How about secretive vindictive, withdrawn, obsessive, and, oh, yes, brilliant.
Eistein wrote, "Nature to him was an open book, whose letters he could read without effort.... He stands before us strong, certain and alone." There would be no Eistein without Newton. Eistein called Newton the greatest genius of all time.
In 2006 Kathleen Krull wrote "Isaac Newton" in the series "Giants of Science." This is the best children's book about Sir Newton, his upbringing and his discovery in sciences.
Newton Kid: What's a menial task? (page 31)
Newton Dad: As a poor student in college, Isaac Newton had to "earn his keep" by performing menial tasks for his wealthier classmates. The smartest guy had to clean others' rooms, even emptying their chamber pots (potties). He would serve bread and beer at the dinning tables, then eat what remained after the other students left.
Newton Kid: What's an offspring?
Newton Mom: Isaac Newton said, "Truth is the offspring of silence and unbroken meditation." Offspring is children. You could only find out the real truth of nature, after turning off the TV and computer, then thinking in silence for a long time.
Newton Kid: See nothing, say nothing, practice Yoga... and have a baby.
Newton Dad: Isaac Newton loved to write down ideas in notebooks. In college, he identified 45 topics he wanted to research: time, eternity, space, motion, stars, planets, light, vision, colors, sounds, and smells. Do you have a notebook to write ideas?
Newton Kid: Nope, but I'm sure Isaac would love to have my laptop (notebook computer).
Newton Mom: Isaac Newton has a lot of imaginery "friends." He said, "Plato is my friend, Aristotle is my friend, but my best friend is truth." How many true friends do you have?
Newton Kid: 22 in my class. Is Truth a girl or boy?
Newton Dad: Very funny...