Inventions is one of Simon and Schuster’s InSiders series of educational books for young readers. Parents could do worse than having this 64-page edition for $ 16.99 on hand. Introducing the concept of an invention with the term’s Latin origins—it means to find or come upon—each invention gets a two-page spread with colorful, computer-generated illustrations and informative captions and copy. Subjects in the squarely shaped volume include the wheel, telescope, engine, bionics, trains, camera and computer. There’s also a glossary, index and a timeline. A word of caution: Inventions tends to downplay the role of the inventor. Readers are encouraged to use Inventions as a springboard for further research and readings into each entry’s history, development and application.
As promised, I saw my first horror movie in years this week. Readers might be surprised at the response. Read my review of Rogue Pictures’ The Last House on the Left, opening today, here.
