Uncover a Race Car: An Uncover It Book [Hardcover]

Paul Beck (Author), Dave Dunford (Author), Stephan Kuhn (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Uncover Books

The Uncover series combines the best elements of a book with model elements to help readers truly "uncover" the mysteries of what makes things work. A fascinating three-dimensional presentation allows in-depth, hands-on exploration of the subject at hand. This unique "model" is easily built, deconstructed and re-built layer by layer, system by system just by turning a page, until an understanding of the topic is achieved. Explore the dynamics of a race car engine and learn about air flow and drag, safety equipment and roll cages, the fuel system and horsepower, suspension and track bars, and internal combustion. Interesting facts and experiments are also featured throughout the book including why race cars don't have speedometers, how roof flaps are designed like airplane wings, and the gas mileage on a stock car is about four miles per gallon.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Beck has been writing about science for kids and adults most recently for Popular Science magazine and interactive science exhibits. He is especially interested in high tech applications for music and linguistics. His Music and Psychology Bachelor of Arts are from the University of Colorado, his Linguistics Master is from the University of Washington. He resides in Seattle, Washington.

Stephan Kuhn obtained his basic drawing education in the College of Arts and Crafts, Zurich. He’s an independent illustrator, drawing for advertisement, direct customers, and publishing houses. He prefers a combination of manual and digital drawing and painting techniques, but presents finished works digitally. His style tends toward the photo-realistic and highly detailed. Occasionally he does comics and caricature. The scale of his work ranges from small pins to world format posters and often has a colorful mood.

Dave Dunford is an award winning graphic designer, illustrator and writer. He currently works as a freelance designer, illustrator and creative marketing consultant as well as off-campus Creative Director for two ad agencies out of his home studio.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 16 pages
• Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571457917
• ISBN-13: 978-1571457912
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #584,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids who like cars, January 29, 2008

By 

R. Arthur (Charlton, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uncover a Race Car: An Uncover It Book (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my 4 year old Grandson. I had previously gotten him the Uncover the Human Body book which he loved so much that he carried it around with him all the time and even took it to bed. He did the same with this one. All of the Uncover books are really great learning tools. As you turn each page another system of the car is revealed and explained on that page. Some of the information is a bit too complicated for a 4 year old but much of it isn't and as he matures he will be able to understand more and more. The book does have to be handled with care because the little plastic parts are suspended in the opening of each page with little plastic straps, but teaching him to take good care of it is another good learning experience.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Flimsy, November 24, 2006

By 

D. Taylor "reading teacher" (Huntington Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uncover a Race Car: An Uncover It Book (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for my [...] year old nephew. He is totally into cars so I thought it would be perfect for him. When I received it from Amazon the pieces were already breaking off and the cellophane cover was broken. This book is designed to be like a model when you turn the page part of the model comes off and you can see underneath. The problem is that it is attached with very flimsy thin plastic that snaps off VERY easily. I don't think it will hold up for more than one or two readings ESPECIALLY if you are trying to use it with younger readers. NOT SAFE for children under 3.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a HIT in our house!, September 5, 2007

By 

Waldo "I've been found" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uncover a Race Car: An Uncover It Book (Hardcover)

I ordered this for my 5 year old son, who is a car fanatic. From the minute he peeked in the box to the present day, he LOVES this book. He even takes it to bed and leaves it on his nightstand while he sleeps.
Some of the information in the factoids are a bit over his head right now, but the book does a wonderful job detailing the various parts inside and out of the racecar.

In reference to the quality of the book and the model inside, I agree it's not the highest quality (hence, the 4 stars instead of 5). The car inside could crush easily if the book is smooshed, and the binding is slightly flimsy. Just this morning our toddler got ahold of it and pulled the tires off (easy enough to glue back in, though). But then again, the book is not intended for toddlers or children under the age of 3. The tiny parts are delicate, and need to be handled with care to avoid damage. Perhaps the previous reviewer was mistaken about the content of the book when she ordered it. I don't find the quality to be as bad as was described.
It's an awesome choice for an older child who loves cars!