Turn On The Lights - From Bed [Paperback]

Robert Carrow (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

This text allows kids to have fun amazing friends and family with all kinds of useful electronic gadgets and contraptions. Complete instructions show them how to build a wireless intercom, remote-controlled room lighting, an electronic message center, and a "dinner's ready" light.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. Books for children about using electronics for inventions or even about learning the basics of electricity have been very sparse in recent years. Therefore, a readable text that covers the hows and whys of inventing using electrical devices, plus worksheets and ideas should be a welcome addition but some important instructions have been left out. Clever inventions use foot switches, recycled remote controls, and scavenged parts from used smoke alarms to build everything from remote-controlled lights to a better mousetrap. There are no wiring diagrams, no list of proper tools, no specifics on gauge and size of wire to use to complete a specific project, no illustrations depicting how wiring is connected. Some parts are specific to a particular retail outlet. Although there are some safety instructions, they are not highlighted. Angela Wilkes's My First Science Book (Knopf, 1990) is much stronger on detail. Books that inspire creativity are needed; unfortunately this one omits some important details.?Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

Amazing, useful and educational gadgets kids can build! With the help of this book, children can have fun impressing family and friends with all kinds of cool electronic gadgets and contraptions. all the while, they'll be learning about electricity and radio waves. In addition to making these irresistible projects, children are encouraged to create their own inventions. Ideal for middle school children, these useful and whimsical contraptions can be made with inexpensive, easy-to-find materials such as recycled toy parts and motors, flashlight batteries, and other everyday household items. Simple-to-build gadgets and contraptions include: Remote-controlled fan; Mousetrap alarm; Canned laughter; "Someone's outside my door" light; Wireless magic tricks. Each thought-provoking activity comes with complete, clear instructions, but that's not all. Plenty of suggestions are included for varying and changing each project to help children brainstorm their own cool inventions.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 111 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070116598
• ISBN-13: 978-0070116597
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,069,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You've Got To Be Kidding, July 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Turn On The Lights - From Bed (Paperback)

It is understandable that Mr. Carrow intended to write a bookthat would inspire creative thought in its young readers.Regrettably, what will probably be inspired is a mad dash to the local Radio Shack with Dad or Mom's credit card in hand.

This book is long on ideas and short on answers.

The definitions of technical terms and their integration into the book are good, but their relevance is questionable.

Some of the proposed "solutions" are not just inaccurate, they are un-workable as presented. The scarecrow mounted to the axle of a remote-control car comes to mind.

All in all a good book for an Aunt or Grandmother to buy for their precocious 10 year old, who will read the first six pages and then put it on the shelf to gather dust with the rest of the "good" books.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning and Fun!, June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Turn On The Lights - From Bed (Paperback)

This book manages to combine the best of both learning and fun with lots of kid friendly (and family friendly) projects. Along the way the book sneaks in lots of useful facts on the hows and whys of the gadgets and general electronic principals. It also teaches the young inventor all the steps along the way from planning to implementation, using kid friendly pictures and language. Even I, not electronically gifted, have been inspired. A good choice for the aspiring inventor.