How It's Made: The Creation of Everyday Items

by Thomas Gerencer

Overview

From the team behind Science Channel’s long-running show How It’s Made comes the ultimate “how-to” guide for curious kids!

For 24 seasons and counting, How It’s Made has been an enthralling presence on Science Channel, educating its viewers on the process of making everything from bread to bifocals and breaking down complex ideas and processes with language everyone can understand.

A “how-it’s-made” guide for relentlessly curious kids, science writer Tom Gerencer’s book teaches young readers how the items they love and use every day come to be, with simple yet captivating descriptions and full-color illustrations and photographs. Each chapter focuses on one specific item of particular interest to middle-grade readers, such as airplanes, gummy vitamins, or basketballs, and break down exactly what happens at the factory to make things tick.

“A necessary purchase for any classroom with children where curiosity reigns unchecked.”—School Library Journal

Includes Color Illustrations

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419753756
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/18/2022
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	397,189
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tom Gerencer is an ASJA content writer and editor in the fields of science, tech, business, and the outdoors. He has written over 1,500 high-traffic articles with more than 70 million readers worldwide, for publications like HP Tech Takes, Boys’ Life, The Boston Globe Magazine, Fast Company, Outdoor Life, and Costco Connection. He’s the author of the business book Think Like Google and the short story collection Intergalactic Refrigerator Repairmen Seldom Carry Cash. Gerencer appears regularly on Wired Magazine’s Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast, and lives in Maine and West Virginia with his wife, Kathy, two adventurous boys, and a couple of ornery dogs.

Editorial Reviews

"The lively design is inviting, and the choice of subjects includes something for everyone. . .An intriguing, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of common objects." —Kirkus Reviews

“A necessary purchase for any classroom with children where curiosity reigns unchecked. There’s a smart use of photos showing each procedure. Importantly, it’s not all science and mechanics; this comprehensive book makes sure to detail art and food and musical instruments. Everyone will find something fascinating in these pages.”—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

12/01/2022

Gr 1–5—A necessary purchase for any classroom with children where curiosity reigns unchecked. Fleece comes from plastic bottles? It takes over 42,000 pictures to make a half-hour cartoon? In this title, Gerencer breaks up the creation of objects from sports equipment to technological necessities into concise details that will satisfy a broad array of interests. Most materials have from two to four pages of description, with small boxes clearly explaining the process. There's a smart use of photos showing each procedure, with illustrated arrows and figures enhancing the knowledge. It keeps the pages from being static, adding just enough detail to draw in children. Colorful side boxes add fun facts and essential vocabulary. Sometimes they have awesome additions, such as a recipe for Asian noodles or how to make a potato battery. Importantly, it's not all science and mechanics; this comprehensive book makes sure to detail art and food and musical instruments. VERDICT Everyone will find something fascinating in these pages.—Cat McCarrey

School Library Journal

2022-07-27
From sundae cups to gemstones, descriptions of the making of 54 items.

This collection begins with an explanation of some common manufacturing processes: molding, milling, soldering, assembly, and two types of welding. What follows is a selection of summarized episodes of a long-running Science Channel series, grouped by category: food, sports, science and technology, music, art, vehicles, and a catchall chapter entitled “just for fun.” Each section contains descriptions of the creation of objects as disparate as foosball tables, solar panels, electric guitars, and high-end motorcycles, in one or two double-page spreads. The text basically comes from the scripts of the relevant episodes, which are clearly aimed at a general audience. The photographs, stills from the episodes, can’t supply as much information as the series does. Since even the text is summary, it may leave readers confused at times. Steps are skipped in the crayon-making and saxophone construction processes, for example. And for the entry on sundae cups, an image described as “the chocolate mixture being blended before it is poured into the tote” is actually the crumbled chocolate that tops the sundaes. On the other hand, the text includes clear definitions of specific words pertinent to each process, some ancillary information, and occasional do-it-yourself activities. The lively design is inviting, and the choice of subjects includes something for everyone. The photos are accompanied by cartoon illustrations; humans depicted are diverse.

An intriguing, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of common objects. (Nonfiction. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews