Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

This first picture book biography of Erno Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of a bestselling puzzle that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

In 2023, the world record for solving the Rubik’s Cube was broken by Max Park, who finished in 3.13 seconds!

And then there’s you. Did you ever get so frustrated with a Rubik’s Cube that you wanted to pull it apart and put it back together in order? Were you to do so, you’d see how cleverly one of the world’s most popular toys is assembled. Working together, the 26 pieces combine to make 43 quintillion possible configurations—but only one solution.

A solitary child, Erno Rubik grew up in post-World War II Hungary obsessed with puzzles, art, nature, and the underlying patterns and structures. He became a professor of art, architecture, and design, who was still fascinated with how objects work together, sometimes becoming greater than their components. In a quest to help his students understand three-dimensional objects and how they move—not to mention a desire to entertain himself—he fashioned a cube whose pieces twisted and turned without breaking, and unexpectedly invented the Rubik's Cube, the most popular puzzle in history, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

About the Author

Kerry Aradhya loves to puzzle over words and immerse herself in the creative process. She is the author of Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube and more than a dozen poems in award-winning children's magazines such as Babybug, Ladybug, and Highlights High Five. When not writing for children, Kerry works part-time as a science writer/editor and performs with a quirky modern dance ensemble. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and their cute but naughty pooch named Sofie.

Author Residence: Mountain View, California

Author Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Kara Kramer is a mixed media artist, and illustrator who loves to PLORK with all mediums. She has taught creative art workshops for both children and adults. Ever since she was little, her happiest hours are spent moving her hands to make something new. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Illustrator Residence:Brooklyn, New York