Since 1960 good boys and girls have enjoyed reading about Alvin Bernard as a magnificent brain. whenever it clicks into action and a glassy stair comes into his eyes it's time to watch out! because Alvin is thinking up another marvelous invention. maybe it's a foolproof Burger alarm for his bedroom door or a sure shot pepper slinger for delivering newspapers from his bike. or a portable fire escape very handy when it comes time to crawl out your window for a secret meeting with his best pal shui. no doubt about it as his sister the past says Alvin's a genius! the hint of a mystery surrounding an old Huntley place is all elven needs to launch a new series of inventions which bring extraordinary results is remarkable inventing bench becomes the scene of frenzied activity with chewy and the past who always tags along there is never a dull moment as elephant and foods the most brilliant plan of his career. this author has left us there's a note about the author and I'm going to read it I love this series. Clifford B Hicks served as a US Marine in the South Pacific during World war II where he earned the silver star. after the war he joined the writing staff at poplar mechanics eventually serving as editor in chief. Mr Hicks also wrote science health and technology stories for several other National magazines. he penned 16 books for children including the elvenard and Peter pot series. he and Rachel his wife are more than 60 years together have three children eight grandchildren and one great-grandchildren.