Customer Reviews

The History of the Computer (Inventions That Changed the World; Young Explorer)

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Although the "History of Computers" may sound like a dry and dull subject for children, this book makes the subject very interesting with colorful pages, simple text without appearing patronizing, and very well-chosen photographs. Even the font is well chosen for this age group. There is a Table of Contents in the beginning listing each section. Each double page spread has a subtitle so it feels a little like a "moving-up" book or an early reader. The subtitles, or sections include: Before Computers, Help With Numbers, The First Computers, A Computer as Big as a House, Making Computers Better, Personal Computers, Computer Programs, A Mouse Helps Out, Computers to Take with You, The Internet, The World Wide Web, How Computers Changed Life, Timeline, World Activity Map, Find Out More, Glossary and Index.
The biggest thrill for kids (and adults!) will be to see photographs of what computers looked like in the not-so-distant past. The photos included are so historically interesting and well chosen. The photos in the beginning of this chronological time line are sepia colored and as the book progresses to the current day, the pictures are in full color.

This book has large print and about three sentences plus a photo illustration on each page. It was a little simple for my 5th grader who's very interested in computer history, but he still enjoyed it and learned a couple things (he hadn't ever heard of the ENIAC and UNIVAC computers, for example). He wished there was a little more emphasis on the evolution of the modern PC, with more pictures of various models and changing styles. He also wished the book had information on the evolution of operating systems and software.

The book emphasized changes in size and changes in what computers can be used for, in very simple language. It did not provide much information on the inventions and innovations that led to those changes, however. There was not even any mention of microchips. Overall, I felt it was a well-written and well-organized book, but it works best for younger children.