Book cover of Pedro's Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of Toys

Book description

Discover the backstory of one of America's favorite toys, the yo-yo, in this colorful biography of businessman Pedro Flores.

It can spin and roll, leap and twirl. You can stretch it between your hands or swing it between your legs. The tricks you can do with one are nearly endless.…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Pedro's Yo-Yos as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love how this book pulls readers in, showing a variety of children flipping, swinging, and spinning their yo-yos before diving into the toy’s complex history. It’s full of interesting facts about the evolution of the yo-yo, from its origins in China thousands of years ago to its worldwide rise to fame thanks to the entrepreneurial skills of a Filipino immigrant to the United States named Pedro Flores. 

The book also does a great job of highlighting possible reasons for and challenges of immigration. It is a true multi-layered story of immigration and invention! 

If you love Pedro's Yo-Yos...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like Pedro's Yo-Yos?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 72 books like Pedro's Yo-Yos.

Browse books like Pedro's Yo-Yos

Book cover of Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
Book cover of The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons
Book cover of The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Pedro's Yo-Yos, you might also like...

Book cover of Murder, Lies and Chocolate

Murder, Lies and Chocolate by Sally Berneathy,

Book 2, Death by Chocolate series.

Rodney Bradford comes into Lindsay's restaurant, offers to buy her small house for double its value, eats her brownies, and drops dead on the sidewalk in front. Next, her almost-ex-husband offers to sign the divorce papers, but only if she'll give him her small,…

Book cover of Tangle of Time

Tangle of Time by Maureen Thorpe,

A spellbinding journey through time and cultures.

When Annie Thornton, midwife and apprentice witch, falls through time to a 15th-century Yorkshire village with her telepathic cat, Rosamund, she befriends Will and Jack, two soldiers returning from the French Wars. Mistress Meg, Annie’s ancestral aunt living in the 15th century, is…

5 book lists we think you will like!