Steven Caney's Invention Book

Rating:
Summary: For years and years of fun -- for a wide range of ages
Review: I got this book in March of 1992 from my dad. I was a 9-year-old soprano then, and I wrote about it for a fourth-grade book report. I am now a 20-year-old bass and college senior writing this review. I can honestly say that I still love reading this book, and not just to indulge my nostalgic or childlike moods. There is a very wide variety of materials -- stories, essays, anecdotes, photographs, etc. -- in here, so there's a good chance most kids will find at least several things they find interesting. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout, with tons of photographs and illustrations. Perhaps best of all, Caney consciously avoids any of the cloying cutesiness too often found in similar books: The Invention Book may not be the most glamorous book in the store, but it's still well worth every cent.

The first half of the book contains advice on how to develop, patent, and market inventions, along with a couple of cool projects to try. That may sound geeky, but trust me -- it's well-written in an unpatronizing, yet clear, style. Even if you do not really want to invent something, Caney offers a museum-like look into the process of invention. This includes many informational boxes, containing everything from the history of the robot to basic marketing tips.

The second half of the book consists of "35 Great American Invention Stories," covering such inventions as basketball, earmuffs, Life Savers, and the Xerox machine. Each story is easy to follow and written in the same clear, unpatronizing style of the first half of the book. Caney also includes "Fantasy Inventor's Notebook" and "Fantasy Inventions" with each story, for inspiration. Some are humorous, some sci-fi-ish, some serious.

As I have written, the book's contents are divided in fairly small chapters and information boxes, and there are hundreds of photographs and illustrations. The effect is rather like that of a museum: the reader can pick and choose which parts to look over, which to skim over, which to examine in depth...

If you know of any child or young adolescent who might even remotely enjoy this stuff, the Invention Book will make a perfect gift.

Rating:
Summary: Steven Caney's Invention Book
Review: This book is great for those children who are interested in inventions or who are fasinated by interesting information. There are inventions that I have not seen covered in other books, as well as more common items. The pictures are great to look at, and the fantasty invention aspect allows kids to think about what invention they would like to create.