New How Things Work Everyday Technology Explained Book

Summary: This informational book is organized easily into categories such as "home", "entertainment", and "health and medicine". Each page-long article is accompanied by beautiful photographs and diagrams of the technology being explained.

Critique: The diagrams are just detailed enough. For example, the jet engine diagram on page 105 shows not only the working parts, but also the flow of air over the components that create propulsion. The image of the CD player in the "Digitized Music" article on page 147 uses insets to show tiny parts and how they function. The captions accurately and simply explain the technology.

Curricular Connection: I would absolutely use this book as a reference book in any library. It would be excellent for boys or girls who are extremely "fix it". It could also be used anytime you're teaching almost anything. For example, any music unit could be accompanied by the articles on the piano or music. A history unit about Marconi might be complimented by the article on how radio works.