Machines (Make It Work!) [Library Binding]

Wendy Baker (Author), Andrew Haslam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1994 | Series: Make It Work!

Introduces basic facts about the construction and function of simple machines with instructions for related experiments and projects.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-These two bright, colorful books offer an exciting look at a variety of engineering ideas and concepts. Those in Building look especially inviting, with instructions for creating such structures as bridges, cable cars, aqueducts, and igloos, while Machines offers activities involving rocket power, steam engines, and other more traditional subjects. Both titles have a two-page spread for each project, with large photographs and several informational paragraphs. Various cultures and both genders are well represented in the illustrations. Safety is emphasized throughout. There is some discussion of the process of engineering, but little space is devoted to such issues as critical thinking, hypothesizing, and testing theories. Some projects will be easy for children to do alone, while others, such as building a space module, would work better in a classroom or other group setting. Use these two titles in conjunction with David MacAulay's Unbuilding (Houghton, 1980) or Ken Robbins's Bridges (Dial, 1991).
Janet K. Hamilton, Museum of Science, Boston
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"There is a clean neat appearance to the series...will encourage children to try their hand at making it work." -- Booklist --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: World Book Inc (July 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568472560
• ISBN-13: 978-1568472560
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book! It should be back in print!, October 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Machines (Make It Work! Series : the Hands-on Approach to Science) (Paperback)

My son has checked this book out of the school library so many times he has it memorized! Great fun at home -- inexpensive science projects that really work and are fun to do --- even for Mom! The Rocket created from a 2 liter soft drink bottle and powered by water and a bicycle pump is great. Other favorites include the Archimedes' Screw that moves popcorn and the Rubber Band Powered Boat. Bright, colorful, lots of pictures, easy to understand and easy to build --even for the science challenged!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too frustrating!!!, September 7, 2007

By 

Lucia Christina - See all my reviews

This review is from: Machines (Make It Work!) (Library Binding)

I homeschool and bought this book with great enthusiasm. All three projects we attempted were a complete bust. We spent hours collecting all the parts needed, then cutting and preparing. The directions do not go into enough detail and you don't realize, until you have to start over, that something was left out or assumed that you understood. After several attempts and finally getting the projects built, they wouldn't work anyway. My son was off building his own parachute(which worked great) while I was trying to get anything I could find in my kitchen to go up the Archimedes screw!!There must be better resources out there than this completely frustrating book.