Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors (Paperback)

by Susan Casey (Author) "Did you ever see kid inventors on TV or in the newspaper and think, "That could be me!..." (more)
Key Phrases: kid inventors, fenugreek powder, young inventors, Inventor's Tip, United States, Invent Iowa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Inventions solve problems in daily life, and this nifty book solves the problems of how to go about inventing. From identifying a problem in your work to thinking about how to solve it, the information is broken down into small solvable parts.

So how do you come up with a problem? Hone your observational skills and look around. Stories of inventions developed by young scientists who responded to their own needs or those of their community provide the backbone and wonder of this inspirational book.

Some ideas come through observation, some through research, and some from searching for a use for something. Next, the inventor can turn to journaling or model making or can learn with a mentor. For those really great ideas, the book discusses patenting, designing a trademark, and manufacturing and selling the product. There are many websites, programs, competitions, and camps found in the appendices.

Students can be great inventors because life is newer to them and they take less for granted. Awareness is the first step to discovery. What a wonderful little book for showing children other children as inventors... and they can learn how to become one themselves!

--NSTA Recommends

Product Description
Have you ever seen inventors on TV or in the newspaper and thought, "That could be me!" Well, it certainly could—and this book shows you how. Kids Inventing! gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for turning your ideas into realities for fun, competition, and even profit.

From finding an idea and creating a working model to patenting, manufacturing, and selling your invention, you get expert guidance in all the different stages of inventing. You'll see how to keep an inventor's log, present your ideas, and work as part of a team or with a mentor. You'll meet inspiring kids just like you who designed their own award-winning inventions. And you'll see how to prepare for the various state and national invention contests held each year, as well as international competitions and science fairs.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (August 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471660868
• ISBN-13: 978-0471660866
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,986 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kids Inventing is Terrific!!!!, September 16, 2005

By	Thomas L. Ogren (San Luis Obispo, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really love Kids Inventing!, THE handbook for young inventors. Written by that expert on invention (also see author Susan Casey's excellent book, Women Invent!), this is a book about inventions by kids, and it's written to be read and used by kids.
Easy to read, full of first-rate practical advice, with lots of good photos and charts, this book will be especially useful not only for all those young inventors out there, but also for their teachers. I'm a teacher myself, and am always on the lookout for books that encourage children to think big, to explore what could be, to use their imagination...and Kids Inventing! is exactly this kind of inspiring book.
The advice on patents and trademarks alone is well worth the price of the book. There is a great deal too, of interesting history throughout. The sections on awards, invention fairs, science fairs, contests, camps...all of these add to the completely practical aspect of Kids Inventing! Author Casey guides the reader step-by-step, always encouraging, always guiding with a sure hand.
Kids Inventing! is sure to be a big hit with the brightest, highest achieving students....but I believe that it will also be of plenty of interest to most kids. This one ought to be in every school library...shot it ought to be in all the classrooms! Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great start for a young inventor, January 12, 2009

By	Robert K. Casto "rlventures" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My youngest daughter loves to come up with new ideas but has no idea how to implement them or whether she is on the right track. This book has helped her focus her creativity in a more productive manner. She is now more focused and realistic about her ideas whereas before many of her ideas were impossible or just off the wall.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every library needs Kids Inventing!, November 26, 2006

By	Jack Buchanan (Santa Maria CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book gives loads of ideas and stories to inspire kids to become inventors. Almost a hundred examples of kids inventing are featured along with advice on each step of the invention process. The author shows that its a fun and a potenially Money Making activity. Kids Inventing! can change a child's life!