Customer Reviews

Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The authors have managed to achieve a rare and delicate balance in their book Transformed: How Everyday Things are Made--a book that is at once informative and delightful. This book belongs to the "how things work" genre, and while it invites comparison with David Macaulay's The Way Things Work, this book clearly stands apart in subject matter and presentation. The book is so clearly written, edited, and illustrated that my son (age 4) who does not yet read, is capable in many instances of identifying not only the product being manufactured, but many significant steps in the process. Granted, some topics such as polyester and rayon just aren't that impressive to a child that categorizes his clothes by the characters printed on front rather than the printing on the label--but other topics such as guitars, toothpaste, bricks, and marbles are significant enough to warrant careful "studying" and evoke interesting questions that invariably lead to some eureka moments. One such observation elicited from reading the brick section "Dad, bricks are squishy before they are baked in the oven." There is delight and wonder in knowing the secret of bricks. There are many pages of delight waiting to be discovered. I expect that long after the process of making tap water has lost its excitement there will still be treasures waiting to be discovered in learning about plastic resins, surfboards, and wire.

The interplay between text and pictures is outstanding and this aspect alone would merit five stars for the book. The authors do not lose sight of their mission to show what goes on in the complex processes that make everyday things possible--and they do this so well the complex becomes understandable. The delight in reading this book is the pleasure that comes from learning, not just collecting new information or facts, but a knowing understanding of something that just minutes before was hidden and mysterious.

It is easier to interest someone in how things work if you start with familiar household items--and this book does an excellent job of focusing on items of interest. If you are hoping for an encyclopedic description of the basic types of machines, the foundations of chemistry, or the fundamentals of material engineering this book is not for you. This is a must read if learning how things are transformed into everyday items holds even the smallest of interest. While this book is more suitable for younger children than Macaulay's popular book, this is not because it is too simplistic, but rather because it is so well executed. Adults will also enjoy the accessible style and playful pictures. If you already have The Way Things Work on your bookshelf I would recommend adding this title to your collection--it really is worthy of consideration in its own right.

We originally checked this book out from the library and from the first day, my daughter just loved it! She's looked at it for hours and when we finally had to return it, she was so upset. Now I'm ordering it for her birthday! She loves the pictures, the step-by-step diagrams and the funny comments from the illustrated characters. This is a must have book!

As a US based manufacturer, I am always interested in learning how things are made & trying to provide this information for my children to peak their interest in manufacturing. This book is easy to follow, has great graphics & good layout. It is not too technical & easily explains manufacturing concepts. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning about different manufacturing processes.

I got this for my son who just turned 5. He loves to learn how things work and how things are made and is forever asking questions. Each two-page spread uses drawings to illustrate how an everyday item is made. The descriptions are detailed enough for an older child but simple enough that I can "reword" them a little on-the-fly so that they're easy for him to understand. He and my 7-year-old daughter both find the book very fascinating and have enjoyed sitting down and looking at the pictures even though neither of them is a totally fluent reader yet.

This is a fabulously illustrated book for kids. My 2 boys 9 and 7 loved it and have gone back to it numerous times. Well told and illustrated to hold their attention.

My son loves to know how things are made and this book was in his class library. He read it over and over again and at the end of the year, he had to have it! He is always excited to read it and says that this is one of his favorite books.

Thank you to the others who reviewed this book and convinced me to order it. My 6 and 9 yr. olds have genuinely enjoyed this book, bringing it out to read instead of watching TV in the evenings. As the others have said, the illustrations alone will inform the reader a great deal about whatever is being discussed, so it is appropriate for reluctant or early readers. The text offers addition information, of course, and also cool facts that my children like to quiz me on and repeat to their friends. It gets my daughter reading about technology, a new development in her world of fairies and princesses.

Although focussed on North America (USA) and designed for older children, the book is interesting even for well informed adults. Explanations are lucid and use simple language. Illustrations are useful adjuncts to the words and are excellent in explaining complex relationships. All sorts of things ae explained, from making potato crisps to compact discs. It is an excellent buy for inquisitive beings, adult or child.

I got this book thinking my 7 year old son would enjoy it. I was surprised that all of my children, ages 5 to 12, enjoyed Transformed so much. It is very imaginatively illustrated. I enjoyed it as well!

I bought this book for my very inquisitive seven year old granddaughter. She is forever asking questions about any & everything. I thought this book would help answer some of her questions and s;ow her down a little. She loves the book, the only problem is now she is asking more indepth questions. Great book for any inquisitive minds.