How Things Work: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Secrets of Technology

Neil Ardley

ISBN 10: 0895776944 / ISBN 13: 9780895776945

Published by Readers Digest, 1995

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 0895776944-3-19173563

Bibliographic Details

• Title: How Things Work: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Secrets of Technology
• Publisher: Readers Digest
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0895776944
• ISBN 13: 9780895776945
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good
• Weight: 36 ounces

About this title

Synopsis

Identifies the scientific principles behind a variety of everyday objects while providing a range of informative and easy-to perform experiments, and highlights such items as a battery, a bar-code reader, and a disk drive. 40,000 first printing.

Reviews

Grade 4-8?Ardley's book combines scientific explanations with over 80 experiments. Six chapters cover the basics of machines, construction and buildings, household appliances, transportation, leisure items, and information technology. Each chapter features several double-page spreads that introduce such topics as "walls and floors" or "weighing machines," usually followed by one or two activities. Captioned, full-color photographs and diagrams provide examples or additional information. In a few cases?"dams" and "combustion engines," for example?the concept is explained through captioned photos that show a child enacting an experiment. The author's weaving of history, narrative explanation, and projects is generally successful, giving children a solid context for the activities and showing how various areas of science apply to the everyday world. The majority of the experiments include an adult help advisory, and some require materials most kids will have to purchase or borrow. On the other hand, many are easy enough for youngsters to manage on their own with common household items, and the variety and quantity insure that most readers will be able to find several that are intriguing and accessible. An attractive layout, with white backgrounds and plenty of color, adds to the book's appeal, but at times the pages are crowded.?Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.