The Random House Book of How Things Work - Softcover

Parker, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0679809082 ISBN 13: 9780679809081

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 1991

Synopsis

Illus. with full-color art and diagrams. "Capitalizing on humankind's innate curiosity, Parker examines over 300 everyday machines, mechanisms, and processes through visually appealing illustrations and diagrams. This colorful work concisely details how individual machines and processes, from zippers and helicopters to gas pumps and mobile phones, operate. An instructive, entertaining book that will enrich science and technology study."--Booklist. "A must for every science class."--Appraisal.  

About this title

From the Inside Flap

full-color art and diagrams. "Capitalizing on humankind's innate curiosity, Parker examines over 300 everyday machines, mechanisms, and processes through visually appealing illustrations and diagrams. This colorful work concisely details how individual machines and processes, from zippers and helicopters to gas pumps and mobile phones, operate. An instructive, entertaining book that will enrich science and technology study."--Booklist. "A must for every science class."--Appraisal.

Reviews

Grade 5 Up-- A colorful compendium. Clear, cross-sectional diagrams enhance the succinctly written explanations of how more than 300 machines and mechanisms function. The descriptions range from zippers to rockets, toilets to CAT scanners, clocks to helicopters, jet engines to roller coasters and bumper cars. Machines are grouped by purpose: in the home, transportation, on the farm, or in entertainment. Interestingly, there are sections on the human body and on the balance of nature and ecology. Parker's writing is specific and accessible to the target audience; the illustrations further clarify the text. While not a book to be read from cover to cover, it's a boon to the casually curious as well as the academically oriented. It is similar in scope to David Macaulay's The Way Things Work (Houghton, 1988); Macaulay organized his work according to the scientific principles behind the machines, and both the discussion and the illustrations are more elaborate. The Macaulay book is the one of choice, but Parker's entry is also an excellent addition. --Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0679809082
• ISBN 13: 9780679809081
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 157