'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Friday, 4 September 2020

Review: Inventors

From Leonardo Da Vinci to robots; windscreen wipers to a self-cleaning house, this brilliant collection of inventors and their inventions is a valuable reading resource for all ages.

It inspires and encourages children, especially girls, to cultivate their imagination and follow their dreams.

That is what each of these people did and succeeded.
 
Persistence and understanding that failure can be helpful, has empowered people to change the world with their designs and engineering.

With incredible stories of the world’s most ingenious inventions, this selection of over 80 entries, travels from the past through to the present, showcasing everyday things created to enhance and modify our lives and future.  Inventive adults and children from around the world, and from diverse backgrounds, are represented.

Readers learn about these people through detailed biographical information; what inspired their ingenious designs, and how they evolved into useful tools and engineering feats for humankind.

Their journeys from idea to actuality is Interesting and at times unbelievable. A few of the inventions included are: artificial hearts, laser eye surgery, the anti-malarial drug, how the first flushing lavatory was invented, the Blissymbol printer for people with Cerebral Palsy, safety pins, re-purposing materials, plumbing pioneers, toys, gadgets and games, and the solar still that used the sun’s energy to turn sea water into drinking water.

Accompanied by illustrations of each design are explanations on their progression. Each story becomes an amazing adventure into inspiring lives. Statistics are included, and lots of surprises wait to be uncovered.

It closes with a Glossary of definitions on descriptive words that children might not know, and a rich Index for easy referral.

Title: Inventors
Author: Robert Winston
Illustrator: Jessamy Hawke
Publisher: DK Books, $34.99
Publication Date: 2 July 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780241412466
For ages: 10+
Type: Non Fiction